The material on this page is from the 1996-97 catalog and may be out of date. Please check the current year's catalog for current information.

Professors Boyles (Chemistry), Chair, and Wenzel (Chemistry); Associate Professors Pelliccia (Biology) (on leave, 1996-1997), Malloy (Biology), Lawson (Chemistry) (on leave, 1996-1997), Abrahamsen (Biology) (on leave, winter semester and Short Term), and Baker (Biology); Assistant Professor Kleckner (Biology)

Biological chemistry encompasses the study of the form and function of the proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids found in living organisms. Traditionally, biological chemistry has been an interdisciplinary field, drawing on techniques and expertise from physics, medicine, biology, and chemistry. The required courses for the major give a student a solid foundation in basic science, while the array of elective courses allows wide latitude in pursuing an area of individual interest. The thesis provides a final integrating experience.

The program maintains affiliations with certain research labs at which students may conduct a semester of research for credit. Such credits may be used to fulfill one of the elective requirements or a portion of the thesis requirement; however, such a possibility must be arranged by the student prior to beginning the research program.

Major requirements: The major requires fifteen courses for a B.A. in biological chemistry, sixteen for a B.S.

• Required thesis: A one- or two-semester thesis in either department is required. Laboratory theses are preferred, but library theses may substitute. Students may choose thesis advisors from faculty not formally part of the Committee on Biological Chemistry, but thesis topics must be approved by the Committee.

• Seminar requirement: To be determined by the student's thesis supervisor.

• Comprehensive examination: None required although students are encouraged to take the GRE examination in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology.

• B.S. requirements: Two semesters of calculus (Math 105-106) and two semesters of physics (Physics 107-108) are required. Since three of these courses are required for Chemistry 203, only Physics 108 is an additional requirement.

For further information, see Professors Abrahamsen, Baker, Boyles, Kleckner, Lawson, Malloy, Pelliccia, Wenzel, and the College catalog.

Required Courses
*Chemistry 107. Atomic and Molecular Structure.
*Chemistry 108. Chemical Reactivity.
+Chemistry 203. Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
Chemistry 217-218. Organic Chemistry I and II.
Chemistry 321-322. Biological Chemistry I and II.

Biology 101s. Biological Principles.
Biology 102. Plant and Animal Biology.
Biology s42. Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Elective courses
(Choose three, including at least one from biology and one from chemistry)

Chemistry 206. Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics.
Chemistry 212. Separation Science.
Chemistry 215. Inorganic Chemistry.
Chemistry 223. Analytical Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry.
Chemistry 315. Bioinorganic Chemistry.
Chemistry 325. Organic Synthesis.
Chemistry 326. Advanced Organic Chemistry.

Biology 215. Bacteriology.
Biology 216. Molecular Aspects of Development.
Biology 231. Genetics.
Biology 244. Biostatistics.
Biology 278. Neurobiology.
Biology 314. Virology.
Biology 331. Molecular Biology.
Biology 337. Animal Physiology.
Biology 338. Drug Actions on the Nervous System.
Biology 351. Immunology.
Biology 352. Membrane and Receptor Biology.

* Students with credit for Chemistry 109 may use that as a substitute for Chemistry 107-108.

+ Thermodynamics and Kinetics has prerequisites which include Math 105-106 and a prerequisite / corequisite of Physics 107.

© 1996 Bates College. All Rights Reserved. Last modified: 08/05/96 by PD