Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.

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

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

Jeffrey Gardner
B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002; Ph.D., 2008

Erin Green
B.A. Bryn Mawr College, 2000; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

Minjoung Kyoung
B.A., Ewha Womans University, 1998; M.S., Ewha Womans University, 2000; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2008

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

Aaron T. Smith
B.A., Boston University, 2007; M.Sc., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2012

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

The B.S. program consists of 79-82 credits as detailed in the following list.

Note that CHEM 437 , CHEM 438 , CHEM 437L and the two electives must be completed at UMBC. Taking any other courses required for the major while enrolled at UMBC must be approved by the program.

Chemistry (27-28 credits)

CHEM 101 - Principles of Chemistry I (4.00)
CHEM 102 - Principles of Chemistry II (4.00)
CHEM 102L - Introductory Chemistry Lab I (2.00)
CHEM 300 - Analytical Chemistry (4.00)
CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry I (3.00)
CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry II (3.00)
CHEM 351L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2.00)
CHEM 352L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2.00)

Select one course: 3-4 Credits

Biology (18 credits)

Biochemistry (12 credits)

CHEM 437 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I (4.00)
CHEM 437L - Biochemistry Laboratory (4.00)
CHEM 438 - Comprehensive Biochemistry II (4.00)

Any two of the following electives (6-8 credits)

BIOL 414 - Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics (4.00)
BIOL 420 - Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (4.00)
BIOL 425 - Immunology (4.00)
BIOL 426 - Approaches to Molecular Biology (4.00)
BIOL 428 - Computer Applications in Molecular Biology (4.00)
BIOL 429 - Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology (4.00)
BIOL 434 - Microbial Molecular Genetics (4.00)
BIOL 443 - Advanced Topics in Developmental Biology (4.00)
BIOL 444 - Development and Cancer (4.00)
BIOL 445 - Signal Transduction (4.00)
BIOL 451 - Neurobiology (4.00)
BIOL 454 - Vision Science (4.00)
BIOL 456 - Plant Molecular Biology (4.00)
BIOL 476 - Antibotics: Origin, Mechanism, Resistance (4.00)
BIOL 483 - Evolution: From Genes to Genomes (4.00)
BIOL 486 - Genome Science (4.00)
CHEM 406 - Bioinorganic Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 431 - Chemistry of Proteins (3.00)
CHEM 432 - Advanced Biochemistry (3.00)
CHEM 433 - Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids (3.00)
CHEM 435 - Biochemistry of Complex Carbohydrates (3.00)
CHEM 441 - Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules (3.00)
CHEM 442 - Physical Biochemistry (3.00)
CHEM 443 - Molecular Spectroscopy and Biomacromolecules (3.00)
CHEM 444 - Molecular Modeling In Biochemistry (3.00)
CHEM 450 - Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds (3.00)
CHEM 451 - Mechanisms of Organic Reactions (3.00)
CHEM 453 - Organic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids (3.00)
CHEM 455 - Introduction to Biomedicinal Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 457 - Total Synthesis of Natural Products (3.00)
CHEM 461 - Advanced Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4.00)
CHEM 465 - Mass Spectrometry at the Chemistry-Biology Interface (3.00)
CHEM 470 - Toxicological Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 472 - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms (3.00)
CHEM 635 - Biochemistry of Complex Carbohydrates
CHEM 640 - Special Topics in Molecular Structure
CHEM 680 - Seminar in Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 682 - Current Topics in Biochemistry

Mathematics and Physics (16 credits)

PHYS 121 - Introductory Physics I (4.00)
PHYS 122 - Introductory Physics II (4.00)
MATH 151 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (4.00)
MATH 152 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (4.00) *

Note:

Students looking for a typical 4-year plan should see the Academic Pathways: https://apps.my.umbc.edu/pathways/index.php?SelUrl=0&major_list=111”. For the latest information on requirements, please consult the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program web site .

Individual Laboratory Research

1-4 credits (recommended)

Students have the opportunity to integrate what they have learned by doing independent research with participating faculty. Those working with a biological sciences faculty member may register for BIOL 399 or BIOL 499 . Those working in a chemistry and biochemistry faculty laboratory may register for CHEM 399 or CHEM 499 .

* MATH 251 and CHEM 302 are recommended for those anticipating graduate study in chemistry, biophysical chemistry or biophysics.

Electives

The following courses, which have variable topics, may be approved as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology electives in those years when their topic is appropriate (subject to confirmation in each case by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Committee):

CHEM 490 - Special Topics in Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 601 - Current Topics in Chemistry
CHEM 670 - Special Topics in Dynamics and Mechanisms
CHEM 684 - Special Topics in Chemistry

Note:

In fulfilling major requirements, CHEM 437 , CHEM 438 and CHEM 437L must be completed at UMBC, with a grade of “C” or better. An overall “C” average must be maintained in required courses. Prerequisites for all courses in the major must be satisfied with a grade of “C” or better.