Biochemistry & Molecular Biology - B.S.
Brian Nelms, Ph.D., Discipline Coordinator
Undergraduate students in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major have opportunities to work with faculty on mentored research projects, with the expectations that undergraduate students will participate in research six of their 8 semesters during the academic year as well as during the summer, at Fisk University or academic laboratories nationally. Students engaged in research typically present papers at regional and national scientific meetings.
At the undergraduate level, students may elect to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in preparation for a career in biomedical research, teaching, or medicine.
The goals of the undergraduate program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are to prepare students for:
- Entry into graduate schools in the biological and biomedical sciences and related areas the work force;
- Entry into health professional schools, particularly MD or MD/PhD programs; and
- Other professions which require a background in biochemistry and molecular biology, including teaching, that through their activities contribute to the welfare and development of society.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology minor, the student will:
- Explain the scope of life sciences in both qualitative and quantitative terms including various aspects of basic and biomedical research;
- Demonstrate knowledge of key principles and theories of biochemistry and molecular Biology and the integration of those with relevant computational and mathematical disciplines and skills;
- Demonstrate appropriate development of contemporary laboratory skills in biochemistry and molecular Biology; and
- Apply principles and theories of biochemistry and molecular Biology to real life problems.
Program Requirements
Requirements for the undergraduate biochemistry and molecular Biology major, in addition to the University degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin, are:
Required Courses
Required courses relevant to biochemistry and molecular biology.
8 of the total credits in this category used to meet the CORE Requirements: CORE 131 and Category Group B: Analytical Skills.
Major Electives
Eight additional elective credits are required. These courses should be chosen in consultation with academic advisor and can include, but not limited to:
Required Cognates
Note: 4 credits are given as part of the CORE curriculum.
Undergraduate Research (
BIOL 291,
BIOL 292,
BIOL 393, and
BIOL 394) courses are encouraged for 6 of 8 semesters; however, students cannot register for more than 12 hours of UG Research to receive academic credit.
General Education Guidelines
The CORE Curriculum is required for all majors.
- Group B- Analytical Skills: Math 120 or Math 121
- Group D- Science: BIOL 101/BIOL101L and CHEM 113/CHEM 103
- Foreign language: (0-6 credits) – dependent upon the foreign language placement scores. Note that students who plan to enter graduate school in biology or professional school in the biomedical sciences. Demonstrating proficiency beyond the beginner level (101) are required to take a general university elective in order to meet the 120 hours required for graduation.
- Technology Literacy: (3-4 credits) CSCI 100 or CSCI 110/CSCI 110L.
- CORE Math requirement – fulfilled typically through Math 101 or Math 110. Note that MATH100 will not count toward the120 hours required for graduation.
- The Biology Proficiency, Exit, and Computer Proficiency Examinations are university requirements.
- If the student begins with MATH 120 or MATH 121, then 14 credits of general electives will be required. However, one should consult literature for graduate and professional schools of choice to determine their requirements in mathematics.
Suggested Program Plan
Suggested Program Plan for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Majors (B.S. degree).
First Year, Fall Semester
First Year, Spring Semester
Second Year, Fall Semester
Second Year, Spring Semester
| CHEM 234 | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | 3 |
| CHEM 204 | EXPERIMENTAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II | 1 |
| CSCI 110 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I | 3 |
| CSCI 110L | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I LABORATORY | 1 |
| MATH 390B | SPECIAL TOPICS IN MATHEMATICS: BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| BIOL 292 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH | 1-3 |
| CORE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-17 |
Third Year, Fall Semester
| NSCI 361 | BIOCHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| NSCI 361L | BIOCHEMISTRY I LABORATORY | 1 |
| PHYS 130 | UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I | 3 |
| PHYS 130L | EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL PHYSICS I | 1 |
| BIOL 393 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH | 1-3 |
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE 101 - FRENCH OR SPANISH | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-17 |
Third Year, Spring Semester
Fourth Year, Fall Semester
Fourth Year, Spring Semester
| Biochemistry/Biology Elective | 3 |
| PSY 180 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| NSCI 290 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH | 1-3 |
| CORE 360 | THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLES | 3 |
| BIOL 498 | SENIOR SEMINAR | 1 |
| GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14-16 |
Total Credit Hours: 120