Biological Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry, in conjunction with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BchMB) in the Division of Biological Sciences, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Chemistry. The program is designed to prepare students to enter a variety of interdisciplinary fields in biochemical and biophysical sciences. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged. By combining the resources of both departments, the students in this program are given the opportunity to study chemistry and physics of macromolecules, mechanisms of actions of enzymes and hormones, molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, and other related fields. Students who are interested in this program should consult Viresh Rawal (702-2194) and/or Herbert Friedmann (702-6902) for advice and details.

Concentration

1	Chem 113 or 123†
1	Math 133 or higher
2	Math 200-201
3	Phys 121-122-123 or higher†
1	Chem 201
3	Chem 220-221-222
3	Chem 261-262, 267
1	course from Chem 202, 223, or 263
1	appropriate 200-level course in biology
2	BioSci 200-201
1	approved 300-level biochemistry or chemistry course
19

† Credit may be granted by examination.

NOTE: Students may substitute the five-quarter sequence Biological Sciences 171-172-173-274-275 for the two-quarter Biological Sciences 191-192 requirement above.

Grading. Students concentrating in Biological Chemistry must receive letter grades in all courses required in the degree program. In order to qualify for the B.S. degree, students must achieve a grade point average of 2.0 or better, and no grade lower than C- in the 200-level or higher Chemistry, Biology, and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology courses in the preceding list.

Honors Program and Undergraduate Research. All Biological Chemistry concentrators are strongly encouraged to participate in research with a faculty member by their junior year. Information on pursuing such undergraduate research opportunities is available on the Web site for Biological Chemistry and Chemistry concentrators at the following URL: http://rainbow.uchicago.edu/chemistry/undergrad/.

Excellent students who pursue a substantive research project with a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry or the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should plan to submit an honors thesis. Students usually begin this research program during their junior year and continue it through the following summer and their senior year. Students in the honors program are expected to receive approval from the program adviser before the end of their third year. The B.S. with special honors in Biological Chemistry will be awarded to students with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better who have submitted a creditable honors paper describing their research. The honors paper should be submitted about one month before graduation. This paper must be approved by the program advisers in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Joint Degree Programs. A four-year joint degree program, leading to a B.S. in Biological Chemistry and a concurrently awarded M.S. in Chemistry or in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is available for a select group of students who have achieved advanced standing through their performance on placement or on accreditation examinations. Special programs are developed for such students. For more information on the M.S. in Chemistry, consult Viresh Rawal (vhrawal@rainbow); for more information on the M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, consult Herbert Friedmann (hcfn@midway).

For a list of faculty, consult the section on the Department of Chemistry elsewhere in this catalog, and consult the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

299. Advanced Research in Biological Chemistry. PQ: Consent of a faculty sponsor and the program adviser. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Normally taken for a letter grade. This course provides advanced, individually guided research for College students, both those who are concentrating in Biological Chemistry and those who are not. Students may submit a written report covering their research activities to be considered for departmental honors. Staff. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.