Wellesley College Biological Chemistry Home Page

About the Major

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Complete Course Catalog | BIOC Courses | Major Requirements | Recommended Course Selections

Director: Mary Allen (Biological Sciences)

Biological Chemistry Advisory Committee:

Mary Allen (Biological Sciences)
Don Elmore (Chemistry)
Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier (Biological Sciences)
Kaye Peterman (Biological Sciences)
Didem Vardar-Ulu (Chemistry)
Adele Wolfson (Chemistry)

The Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry offer an interdepartmental major in biological chemistry which provides opportunities for advanced study of the chemistry of biological systems.

Requirements for the Biological Chemistry Major

In addition to two courses in biochemistry (CHEM 221 and 328), the area of concentration must include the following courses: CHEM (a) both 105 [110] and 205 [111], or 120; (b) 211; (c) 232 ; BISC (a) 110 or 110X; (b) 219; (c) 220; (d) two 300-level courses from among the following: 303, 310, 313, 316, 319, 320 or a seminar course if relevant to the major and approved by the director, excluding 350, 360, 370. At least one of these two courses must be a laboratory course; PHYS 104 or 107; MATH 116, 116Z, 120 or equivalent. Senior majors are encouraged to take BIOC 340 as a capstone experience.

Students should be sure to satisfy the prerequisites for the 300-level courses in biological sciences and chemistry. Although CHEM 222 may be used to satisfy the requirement for the first semester of biochemistry, CHEM 221 is the preferred course for biological chemistry majors.
Students planning graduate work in biochemistry should consider taking additional courses in chemistry, such as analytical, inorganic, and the second semesters of organic and physical chemistry. Students planning graduate work in molecular or cell biology should consider taking additional advanced biological sciences courses in those areas. Independent research (350 and/or 360/370) is highly recommended, especially for those considering graduate study.

Recommended Course Selections

A recommended sequence of required courses would be:

Year I, CHEM 105 and math or physics; either CHEM 205 or 211 and BISC 110
Year II, either CHEM 211 or 205 and BISC 219; BISC 220 and math or physics
Year III, CHEM 221 and math; CHEM 328 and 232
Year IV, 300-level biological sciences courses and independent study

Please discuss your program with the director as soon as possible.

BIOC Courses

BIOC 250, 250H, 350, 360 and 370 work can be advised by any faculty member of the Departments of Biological Sciences or Chemistry. Advisors for honors work can be members of either department and students should enroll in BIOC 360/370. The honors program will follow the guidelines of the appropriate department.

BIOC 250 Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: By permission of instructor.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 1.0

BIOC 250H Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: By permission of instructor.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring Unit: 0.5

BIOC 340 Capstone Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Allen (Biological Sciences), Wolfson (Chemistry)
A capstone seminar for senior biological chemistry majors. Students will read papers related to the research of prominent scientists, who will be invited to present their work at Wellesley. Ethical issues in research will be discussed in the context of these presentations. Students engaged in research will also present and discuss their own results.
Prerequisite: Limited to senior Biological Chemistry majors.
Distribution: Natural and Physical Science
Semester: Spring, Unit: 0.5

BIOC 350 Research or Individual Study
Prerequisite: Open by permission to juniors and seniors.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring, Unit: 1.0

BIOC 360 Senior Thesis Research
Prerequisite: By permission of the department. See Academic Distinctions.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring, Unit: 1.0

BIOC 370 Senior Thesis
Prerequisite: 360 and permission of department.
Distribution: None
Semester: Fall, Spring, Unit: 1.0

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