BEFORE APPROACHING DR. CHILSON REGARDING THIS MAJOR, PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SITE.
Special Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
A special major in the area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [BMB] is available to students who have highly focused interests in biology and chemistry, welldefined career goals, and strong academic records in science courses. A course plan is individually adapted to the needs of each student through a series of consultations with academic advisors in the Biology Department. In the process of meeting all the general requirements for the AB degree, a student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will ordinarily be required to take the following courses (plus all necessary prerequisite courses): Chem 111A112A, 115116, 251, 252, 257, 421 and either 422 or 424 (but ordinarily 424); Physics 117A118A; Math 131, 132, and 233, or the equivalent (plus any other prerequisites necessary for the Physical Chemistry courses selected); Bio 296A, 297A, 3051, 451, two additional courses in advanced biochemistry (such as Bio 5063, 5071, 5083, 5461, 548, (or other courses approved by the BMB advisor in Biology), or Chem 520, or 577/Bio 5361), and at least two courses in related fields of biology or chemistry at or above the 300 level (among these an upper level laboratory course, such as Bio 437 or Bio 4522 or Chem 358 is strongly recommended). In addition, two semesters of Bio 500 in an area approved by the academic advisors are required; a thesis describing the results of this work must be submitted to and approved by the academic advisors (ordinarily by March 15 of the senior year).
Students are encouraged to apply for admission into the program only after completion of Bio 297A and Chem 252 (a grade of B+ or better in each is ordinarily required) but not later than the fifth semester in residence. To qualify for Honors, a student must have at least a B+ average in the required courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry listed above, a B+ average in the required biology courses, and a B+ average overall; moreover, the thesis described above must be judged by the academic advisors to be of Honors quality.
For more information, contact the BMB advisor in Biology, Professor Oscar Chilson (9356859; chilson@biodec.wustl.edu) in the Biology Department. Students interested in biochemistry should also consider programs offered through the Chemistry Department.
The following will address some of your questions.
The purpose of this section is to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding acceptance as a Special Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It also cites several points to keep in mind in planning your schedule.
Please be aware that admission to the program is not as automatic as choosing to major in history, or psychology or in most other areas.
This program is designed for students who have strong academic records and who plan to go graduate school in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or who plan to apply for admission to MD/PhD programs.
Before admission to the program:
You must first submit the following documents and provide time for their evaluation.
1) a transcript [not necessarily official]
2) a statement [half a page] as to why you wish to pursue this option.
3) a list of ALL the courses you plan to take before graduation. Some of these may ultimately be changed but this exercise is to convince you, me and the dean that you can fit it all in.
4) a resume.
Please note that it is not appropriate to plan that your enrollment in Bio 500 be restricted to fall and spring of the senior year.
Please note that if you plan to take Bio 548, you cannot take Chem 421 during the same semester.
Also, while taking Chem 421 and Bio 451 concurrently represents a VERY
heavy load, doing so significantly improves options for advanced courses
biochemistry in the fall of the senior year. Do not plan to take Physics
and/or Bio 311 along with the 421 and 451.
Created by David Heyse in the Natural Science Learning Center
URL: http://www.nslc.wustl.edu/biomajors/biochem.html
Last Modification: April 7, 1997