Faculty

Biological Sciences

Charles J. Bieberich
B.S., University of Tampa, 1982; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1987

Rachel Brewster
S.F.B., University of Geneva (Switzerland), 1989; Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1996

Mauricio M. Bustos
B.A., Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina), 1982; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 1986

Nessly C. Craig
B.A., Reed College, 1963; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1967

David M. Eisenmann
B.S., University of Pennsylvania, 1985; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1992

Phillip J. Farabaugh
B.A., University of California, San Diego, 1972; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1978

Lasse Lindahl
M.S., University of Copenhagen (Denmark), 1969; Ph.D., 1973

Hua Lu
B.S., Nanjing University (China), 1990; M.S., 1993; Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1999

Tamra Mendelson
B.S., University of Wisconsin, 1991; P.h.D., Duke University, 2001.

Stephen M. Miller
B.S., Case Western Reserve University, 1984; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1991

Kevin Omland
B.A., Dartmouth College, 1985; Ph.D., The University at Albany, 1995

Phyllis R. Robinson
B.A., Wellesley College, 1973; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1981

Suzanne O. Rosenberg
A.B., Barnard College, 1970; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 1975

Michelle Starz-Gaiano
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994; Ph.D., New York University, 2002

Richard E. Wolf, Jr.
B.A., University of Cincinnati, 1963; M.S., 1968; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, 1970

Janice Zengel
B.A., McDaniel College, 1970; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1977.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Songon An
B.S. Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea 1997; Ph.D. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 2005; Post-Doctoral Pennsylvania State University 2011

C. Allen Bush
B.A., Cornell University, 1961; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1965

James C. Fishbein
B.A. Johns Hopkins 1979; Ph.D. Brandeis 1985

Elsa D. Garcin
Post-Doctoral The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla (CA) 1999; Ph.D. Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble (France) 1998; M.S. Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble (France) 1994

Richard L. Karpel
B.A., Queens College, 1965; Ph.D., Brandeis University, 1970

Lisa A. Kelly
B.S., State University of New York at Geneseo, 1988; M.S., University of Rochester, 1989; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 1993

William R. LaCourse
B.S., Charter Oak College, 1982; Ph.D, Northeastern University, 1987

H. Mark Perks
B.S., Bucknell University, 1970; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1980

Katherine L. Seley-Radtke
A.S., St. Petersburg Junior College, 1983; B.A., University of South Florida, 1992; Ph.D., Auburn University, 1996

Paul J. Smith
B.S., State University of New York Brockport, 1988; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1993

Michael F. Summers
B.S., University of West Florida, 1980; Ph.D., Emory University, 1984

Ian F. Thorpe
Post-Doctoral University of Utah 2009; Ph.D. The Scripps Research Institute 2005; B.S. University of Miami 1998

Alllison Tracy
B.S. University of Delaware 2001; Ph.D. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 2005

Courses in this program are listed under BIOL and CHEM.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (under the auspices of the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Biochemistry) offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum taught by a diverse range of faculty members. With a curriculum drawing from both disciplines, as well as specific biochemistry courses, the program provides a broad background in the physical and life sciences. It is suitable for students planning careers in laboratory research or further training in graduate, medical or other biomedical professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry and medical technology. Research centers for electron and light microscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and faculty laboratories specializing in varied topics including gene regulation, neurobiology, laser spectroscopy and plant molecular biology, provide students with opportunities to work in actual research programs while being mentored by experienced, enthusiastic and dedicated faculty.

Career and Academic Paths

Many UMBC Biochemistry and Molecular Biology graduates continue their education in graduate and professional programs including at such highly competitive schools as Harvard University; University of Virginia; Duke University; Washington University; Stanford University; University of California, San Francisco; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; The Johns Hopkins University; Princeton University; California Institute of Technology and Carnegie Mellon University. Program graduates also compete well in the workforce, finding employment with such organizations as the National Cancer Institute, Hoffmann LaRoche, Proctor & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and the Food and Drug Administration.

Academic Advising

First-year students (both freshman and transfer students) who express an interest in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology initially are advised by the program’s first-year advisor. After one year, they are assigned to one of the participating faculty for advising. Students are required to see their advisors at least once each semester. Academic progress is monitored through graduation.

Writing Intensive Requirement

Under the General Education Program, students are required to complete one Writing Intensive (WI) course. The requirement is met by completion of CHEM 437L - Biochemistry Laboratory , which has been approved as a WI course.

Honors Program

While the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program does not have an honors program, specific honors sections are offered for BIOL 141H - Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy and Organisms - Honors  and BIOL 142H Foundations of Biology and CHEM 101H - Principles of Chemistry I - Honors  and CHEM 102H - Principles of Chemistry - Honors . In addition, selected upper-level courses are offered as honors program courses. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors are eligible for departmental honors in the Department of Biological Sciences and in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Information on the requirements for departmental honors are available in the sections of this catalog devoted to each department.

Combined B.S/M.S.

Students interested in the Applied Molecular Biology (APMB) Program will be considered for admission to the program on a competitive basis. Students can use up to two courses from their undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and, in so doing, save money and reduce their graduate course work.

Students should consult with the director of the Applied Molecular Biology Program for advisement as to which courses will be appropriate for both degrees. Application for admission should be submitted prior to the final semester of the senior year. For more information, see the APMB Web site at http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/grad/amb.php.

Special Opportunities

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors have the opportunity to participate in research in both participating departments at UMBC, as well as at nearby institutions such as the National Institutes of Health. Special programs and fellowships have placed Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students in labs of eminent scientists nationally and internationally. Many advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors are tutors in the Chemistry or Biology Tutorial Centers, helping to provide free tutoring for fellow students enrolled in freshman and sophomore courses.

Student Organizations

Chemistry/Biochemistry and Biology Councils of Majors Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Majors play an active role in the Chemistry/Biochemistry Council of Majors (CHEM/COM), an American Chemical Society student affiliate chapter, and in the Biology Council of Majors (BioCOM). Both councils support active professional and social programs. Links to information on CHEM/COM and BioCOM activities are provided in the undergraduate information sections of the respective departmental web sites. Majors are also active in various on campus preprofessional societies (pre-medical, pre-dental, etc.).

Programs

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.