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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Interdisciplinary

Faculty

Department of Biology

Wade H. Powell
Codirector, Associate Professor

Kathryn L. Edwards
Professor

M. Siobhan Fennessy
Professor

Christopher M. Gillen
Associate Professor

E. Raymond Heithaus
Jordan Professor of Environmental Science

Patricia A. Heithaus
Instructor

Karen A. Hicks
Associate Professor

Haruhiko Itagaki
Professor

Andrew J. Kerkhoff
Assistant Professor of Biology and Mathematics

Robert A. Mauck
Associate Professor (on leave)

Joan L. Slonczewski
Professor

Department of Chemistry

Yutan D.Y.L. Getzler
Codirector, Assistant Professor

Scott D. Cummings
Associate Professor

Simon P. Garcia
Assistant Professor

Sheryl A. Hemkin
Associate Professor

John E. Hofferberth
Assistant Professor; Harvey F. Lodish Faculty Development Professor

Mo Hunsen
Associate Professor

James S. Keller
Associate Professor

John K. Lutton
Professor

Dudley G. Thomas
Director of Chemistry Labs

The intersection of chemistry and biology provides a creative focus for understanding the molecular processes of life. Kenyon's biology and chemistry departments administer an interdisciplinary program offering two majors, biochemistry and molecular biology. Each major combines courses from both departments.

The Curriculum

The biochemistry major provides a chemistry-based curriculum with a significant biology component. The molecular biology major combines a substantial chemistry background with detailed studies in cellular and molecular biology. Both majors prepare students for postgraduate studies in biomedical sciences.

An oversight committee for biochemistry and molecular biology, composed of faculty members from the chemistry and biology departments, administers the program and determines requirements for the Senior Exercise and for the Honors Program. Students interested in these majors should contact either of the program codirectors, Wade Powell or Yutan Getzler.

Requirements for the Majors

The biochemistry major and the molecular biology major have many requirements in common. In addition, each of the majors has its own set of required courses.

Courses Required for BOTH Majors (5.75 units)

Courses must be completed by the end of junior year.

  • BIOL 115 Energy in Living Systems (.5 unit)
  • BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems (.5 unit)
  • CHEM 121 or 122, and 124 or 125; Introductory Chemistry (1 unit)
  • CHEM 123 and 126; Introductory Chemistry Lab (.5 unit)
  • CHEM 231,232 Organic Chemistry (1 unit)
  • CHEM 233,234 Organic Chemistry Lab (.5 unit)
  • CHEM 256 Biochemistry (.5 unit)
  • BIOL 263 Molecular Biology and Genomics (.5 unit)
  • BIOL 264 Gene Manipulation (lab) (.25 unit)
  • CHEM 335 Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics (.5 unit)

Additional Courses Required for the Major in Biochemistry (1.75 units)

In addition to the requirements listed above (under courses required for both majors), students majoring in biochemistry must complete the following courses:

  • CHEM 341 Instrumental Analysis (.5 unit)
  • CHEM 371 Advanced Laboratory, Biochemistry (.25 unit)
  • Two advanced lab courses from: CHEM 372, 373, 374, 375, and 376 ( 0.5 units of CHEM 375 and/or 376 must be completed to count as an advanced lab )
  • One course from: BIOL 109Y-110Y, 233, 238, 245, 255, 321, 333, 341, 358, 366 (.5 unit)
  • The Senior Exercise, under the supervision of the Department of Chemistry

Additional Courses Required for the Major in Molecular Biology (1.75 units)

In addition to the requirements listed above (under courses required for both majors), students majoring in molecular biology must complete the following courses:

  • BIOL 109Y-110Y Introduction to Experimental Biology (.5 unit)
  • Two additional lecture/discussion courses in biology at the 200- or 300-level (1 unit). At least one course must be taken from the "cellular and molecular biology" category (BIOL 238, 255, 266, 321, 333, 366, 375)
  • One advanced laboratory from: BIOL 234, 239, 256, 267, 322, 346, 367, or CHEM 371 (.25 unit)
  • The Senior Exercise, under the supervision of the Department of Biology

Senior Exercise

Students majoring in biochemistry perform the Senior Exercise under the supervision of the Department of Chemistry. Molecular biology majors perform the Senior Exercise with the Department of Biology. For details, please refer to each department's Senior Exercise requirements listed in the course catalog .

Honors

Honors thesis projects may be conducted under the direct supervision of a faculty member in either department (biology or chemistry) for either major (molecular biology or biochemistry). Additional Senior Exercise requirements follow those of the department in which honors is conducted.

Planning for GRE

Majors planning to take the GRE in molecular biology should consider selecting BIOL 366 as an elective.