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BMB Undergraduate Major Requirements


Before you choose Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as your major, it's important that you understand what the BMB major requires of you. Here, we list the requirements in brief; click on a linked requirement to see a complete description.

All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences must fulfill the language and University writing and General Education requirements.

As a BMB major, you'll take take three semesters of mathematics (2 only for B.A.) and one sequence of physics courses, along with six semesters of chemistry, and two biology courses.

In addition, BMB majors take four biochemistry courses, a biochemistry laboratory and the biochemistry senior tutorial course. There are also advanced course requirements that you will need to fulfill.
 
Masters Degree Requirements


The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology offers a special Master’s of Science Program designed to enhance the scientific education of its B.S.-level students who have strong academic records and have been conducting research in a laboratory in this department. Normally, the M.S. requirements are completed 15 months from receipt of the B.S.

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology admits/appoints only M.S. candidates. Ph.D. candidates who wish to conduct their thesis research under the direction of faculty members in this department should enroll in one of the interdepartmental graduate programs on campus, e.g. Molecular and Cellular Biology, Plant Biology, or Neuroscience.

Basis of Admission to BMB M.S. Program

The goal of the M.S. Program is to provide additional scholarly training to qualified majors who have received their B.S. from this department. Students from other departments and institutions are not admitted. Laboratory research experience is a prerequisite for admission to the M.S. program, and thesis research projects are expected to develop from each student’s undergraduate independent research activity to be carried out with the same mentor. Undergraduate majors interested in the M.S. Program should discuss it with their academic advisor in the sixth semester, if possible. In most cases, an undergraduate research project can be extended or adapted to provide the basis for the M.S. project.

Application steps: Upon mutual agreement between the candidate and mentor, the candidate applies for admission to the M.S. program through the Graduate School. This is usually done during the student’s 7th undergraduate semester. All of the Graduate School regulations apply. Applications for the BMB M.S. are accepted continuously. Applicants are not required to take the GRE as part of the admissions process. Application materials (including 3 letters of recommendation, with one from the mentor explicitly assuring that the student’s plan to work with them is agreeable to the faculty member) are reviewed and approved by a vote of the department’s Academic Affairs Committee.

Financial support

Financial support for BMB M.S. candidates is arranged individually by agreement between the student and his/her mentor and is not guaranteed by the department. Stipends are considered Research Assistantships because they serve as remuneration for work in the research laboratory.

BMB M.S. Requirements

General information regarding Graduate School requirements for the M.S. degree can be found on the Graduate School website, www.umass.edu/gradschool. Students are encouraged to check this site, and to track their progress in the program by consulting the Masters Degree Eligibility Form, last revised 11/2007.

 A minimum of 30 credits is required for the M.S. degree.
 Of these, a minimum of 21 credits must be in the major field.
 A minimum of 6 credits must be in 600 to 800 level courses.
 More than half of the credits must have letter grades (not SATs).
 The grade-point average must be 3.0 or above.
 A maximum of 6 credits can come from Independent Study (596, 696, 796) courses.
 A maximum of 10 thesis credits is accepted.

Specific BMB M.S. degree requirements:

A maximum of 6 credits, graded B or better, earned in courses numbered 500 or higher prior to admission and which are certified to be in excess of the requirements for the B.S. degree, may be applied to the M.S. requirements. The student must submit these credits on the approval form, signed off by the Chief Undergraduate Advisor, Undergraduate Academic Dean, Commonwealth College (if applicable), and the Registrar’s Office; this should be done within the first semester of the M.S. program.

Departmental coursework requirements: Biochem 642, 4 credits (Fall), and Biochem 623, 4 credits (Spring), both graded B or better; Biochem 691A and Molclbio 691 each semester.

A grade of F in any course will result in administrative withdrawal from the program.

The membership of the Thesis Committee must be submitted to and approved by the Graduate Dean. [3 members, 2 BMB Grad Faculty, and 1 Grad Faculty outside of BMB]
The Thesis Outline must be submitted no less than 4 months prior to the anticipated Thesis Defense Date.
The Thesis Defense Date must occur no later than 2 weeks prior to the anticipated Degree Date.
The Graduate School now requires electronic thesis submission; it is the student’s responsibility to meet this requirement.

Unless special circumstances warrant an exception, students must complete all requirements for the M.S. degree within 18 months of matriculation.

BMB does not have a language requirement.

Requirements for the BMB 5th Year Masters

Assumes completion of B.S. in May

Year 1 Summer Fall Spring
 

Biochem 596     1 cr

Begin paperwork for transfer      of 500+ coursework if      applicable

 Biochem 642   4 cr
Biochem 691A 1 cr
MCB 691A       1 cr
Biochem 596   2 cr
Biochem 599   5 cr Journal Clubs or
Electives course,             up to 3 cr 		Biochem 623   4 cr
Biochem 691A 1 cr
MCB 691A       1 cr
Biochem 696   3 cr
Biochem 699   5 cr
Journal Clubs or
Electives course,             up to 3 cr
  Min Credits: 1 Min Credits: 14 Min Credits: 15
Year 2 Summer    
  Optional additional      coursework
Master’s Thesis
Master’s Thesis      Defense		    

Timeline for the BMB 5th Year Masters:

June: Register for 1 credit of Biochem 596;
Prepare paperwork, if applicable, for transfer of up to 6 credits of courses numbered 500 or higher taken in the undergrad program, but not meeting any requirement of the B.S.

September: Register for courses
Begin discussion with mentor of committee assignment and thesis topic and outline

January: Register for courses
Finalize Thesis Committee appointments

Early February: Memo to Grad School concerning constitution of the Thesis Committee; approval by Grad School follows.

March 1st: Submit Thesis Outline signed by all Committee members and the Graduate Program Director

August 1st: Schedule Master’s Thesis Defense to be held by August 15th
Memo to Grad School indicating the approval of the Master’s Thesis signed by Thesis
Committee Chair and Graduate Program Director

August 31st: (or last working day of August): submit completed Master’s Degree Eligibility Form and Master’s Thesis to Graduate Records Office.

September 1st: Degree Awarded
 
PhD Degree Requirements
 

BMB offers graduate training for Ph.D. students through interdepartmental graduate programs, including the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) Program, the Chemistry-Biology Interface Training program, the Plant Biology graduate program, and the Neuroscience and Behavior program. Degree requirements are specific to each program.


Complete Description of BMB Undergraduate Major Requirements

1. Satisfaction of College of Arts and Sciences language requirement and University writing and
General Education requirements.

Courses taken to meet the Biochemistry major requirements 2-7 may not be taken pass/fail, and it is a University requirement that the combined GPA in these courses must be C or better. A grade of C or better is required in Biol 100 and Biol 101 for admission to Biochem 285. A grade of B- or better in Biochem 285 is required for admission to Biochem 523 and 524. In addition, the Department requires that a grade of C- or better be earned in all other courses labeled “Biochemistry.” Grades lower than C- cannot be offset by higher grades in other courses. Courses may be repeated if necessary.

2. Three semesters of Mathematics (2 only for B.A.)
Either course sequence option:
a) Math 127, 128; and either Statistics 501 or Res-Econ 211.
b) Math 131, 132; and choose one: Math 233 or Statistics 501 or Res-Econ 211.

Option b) is recommended for those who enjoy mathematics and consider working in the more physical, chemical, or biophysical aspect of biology. Math 131, 132 prepares students for Physical Chemistry better than Math 127, 128. Note that Stat 501 is for students with Junior or Senior standing.

3. One sequence of Physics courses
a) Introductory Physics: Physics 131 (with lab 133), Physics 132 (with lab 134)
b) General Physics: Physics 151 (with lab 153), Physics 152 (with lab 154). Physics 261 is recommended for BMB majors but is not required. Physics 287 plus Physics 284 may be taken in place of Physics 261.
c) General Physics: Physics 181 (with Lab 183), Physics 182 (with Lab 184). Physics 261 is recommended for BMB majors but is not required. Physics 287 plus Physics 284 may be taken in place of Physics 261.

Advance elective credit is given to BMB majors who complete Physics 261 or Physics 287 plus Physics 284 Math 233 is a prerequisite for Physics 261 and Physics 284.

The Physics 151/153 series is more interesting for students who are biophysically inclined. Students considering a second degree in Chemistry are required to take the Physics 151/153 sequence. Scheduling may be difficult during the sophomore year but this sequence of Physics courses can be completed in the third and fourth years.

4. Six semesters of Chemistry: We recommend Biochemistry majors take the underlined sequences.
a) General Chemistry: (a) Chem 121H, 122H (121H series has 1 extra lab/week), General Chemistry for Chem majors and Honors students or (b) Chem 111, 112, General Chem for science majors.
b) Organic Chemistry: Chem 261, 262, and 269, Organic Chemistry for non-majors.
c) Quantitative Analysis: (a) Chem 312 for non-majors; or (b) Chem 315 for chemistry majors.
d) Physical Chemistry: (a) Biochem 471, Elementary Physical Chemistry or (b) Chem 475, and 476, Physical Chemistry for chemistry majors.

Chem 315 is the first half of a sequence (with Chem 513) that is not as self-contained as Chem 312. Biochem 471 is tailored for biochemistry but those students with a particular interest in the physical side of biochemistry or biophysics should consider taking Chem 475 and Chem 476 instead of Biochem 471 (Chem 471).

Chem 265, 266, 267 and 268 may be taken instead of Chem 261, 262, and 269. Members of Commonwealth College or Chem/Biochem double majors may enroll in this sequence. Enrollment is limited.

5. Biology:
a) Biol 100, 101: Introductory Biology [Students who have received a grade of 4 or 5 on the high school AP biology examination may be able to receive a waiver for Biol 101 but NOT for Biol 100] . Consult the Chief Undergraduate Advisor or the Biochemistry Freshman Class Advisors.
b) Biol 283: Genetics: BMB majors should take Biology 283 in Fall 2008.
AnSci 311 may be substituted for Bio 283 if a schedule conflict exists.

6. Biochemistry:
a) Biochem 285: Cellular and Molecular Biology (a grade of C or better is required in Bio 100, Bio 101 and Chem 111 (or Chem 121H) prior to enrollment in Biochem 285). BMB majors should take Biochem 285 in Spring 2009
All biochemistry majors are encouraged to enroll in the accompanying honors section HO1, whether or not they are Commonwealth College members. Biochem HO1 is a 1 credit, once per week session in which BMB faculty give presentations about their research work.
b) Biochem 523: Structure and Function of Biomolecules; Metabolism; Regulation (B- or better is required in Biochem 285 plus one semester Organic Chemistry prior to or concurrent with Biochem 523).
c) Biochem 524: Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology (a grade of B- or better is required in Biochem 285 prior to enrollment in this course.
d) Biochemistry Laboratory: Biochem 526 (Biochem 285 with a grade of B- or better is a prerequisite). Biochem 523 or 524 can be taken concurrently. Biochem 590A may be substituted for Biochem 526.
e) Biochemistry Senior Tutorial: Biochem 491H: Scientific Writing and Presentations. Although designated as Honors (H), Biochem 491H is required for all Senior BMB majors.
Biochem 523 and 526 are prerequisites for Biochem 491H.
Biochem 491H and Biochem 526 (or Biochem 590A) must both be completed to satisfy the university Junior Year Writing Requirement.

7. Advanced Course Requirements:
For the B.S. Degree: Eight (8) credits of advanced electives, generally at the 300 level and above, in biochemistry, other biological sciences, chemistry, or physics as approved by a Class Advisor or the Chief Undergraduate Advisor. Credits earned in Independent Research and Study courses (e.g. Biochem 396, 496, 498, 499Y or 499T) do help to satisfy this requirement, but Biochem 491H and Biochem 471 (Chem 471) do not. Advanced elective credit is given for Physics 261 or Physics 287 plus Physics 284.
For the B.A. Degree: One advanced course in biochemistry, other biological sciences, chemistry, or physics.

Revised 4/08

Typical Program for B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

FRESHMAN
Credits
 SOPHOMORE
Credits
Math 127, 128
or 131, 132

6
8
8
 Math 233 or ResEc 211 or Stat 501
3
Chem 121, 122
or 111, 112

8
8

Physic 131, 133,
and 132, 134
- or -
Physic 151, 153
and 152, 154
- or -
Physic 181, 183
and 182, 184

8

 

 
Biol 100, 101
8
 Chem 261, 262, 269
8
Language (if exempt, Gen. Ed. Course)
6
 Biochm 285
3
English 112
  3  
 Genetics-Biol 283
4
TOTAL CREDITS
31-33
 Language or Gen. Ed.
  9  
 
TOTAL CREDITS
34
       
JUNIOR
Credits
 SENIOR
Credits
Chem 312 or 315
471 or 475, 476
4
3
 Biochm 491H
2
Statis 501
3
 Advanced electives in biochemistry, life sciences, or physical sciences
6-9
Biochm 523, 524
6
 Research Participation (Independent Study)
Biochm 526 or 590A
4
 Other electives or requirements
         
Language or Gen. Ed.
3
 TOTAL CREDITS
25-27
Electives (may include Biochm 396)
  8  
  
TOTAL CREDITS
31
  

 Revised 4/08