2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Oct 09, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BS

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB BS) will focus on preparing students for careers in fields including, but not limited to, drug manufacturing and design, agriculture, forensic science (crime lab science), academic/clinical/industrial research and development, science education, and scientific writing. This degree will also prepare students for further professional training in human and veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistancy, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry.

Admission Requirements

All students admitted to Wright State are eligible to be directly admitted into the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program.

Program Overview

The main goal of this program is to prepare students for careers in fields related to biochemistry and molecular biology and/or admission into graduate and professional degree programs. The BMB BS program will follow the foundational and threshold concepts and skills accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). This major will serve as a personalized program for accelerated students who seek more individualized attention than would be possible at institutions with larger enrollments.

Beyond the content knowledge endorsed by ASBMB, the curriculum uses cutting edge science education pedagogies such as active learning, flipped classrooms, and formative assessment to build skills in teamwork, critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and oral/written communication. Within the curriculum are also many opportunities for students to be associated with hands-on, up-to-date research through independent studies, undergraduate research projects, and authentic research laboratory experiences.

Students will acquire the skills and practices to work effectively as a scientist in the scientific community.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS program will learn to:

Explain and apply core concepts of matter and energy transformation, including thermodynamics, catalysis, the coupling of exergonic and endergonic processes, and the nature of biological energy.
Explain and apply core concepts of macromolecular structure and function, including the nature of biological macromolecules, their interaction with water, the relationship between structure and function, and frequently encountered mechanisms for regulating their function.
Explain and apply core concepts of biological information, including the genome, the manner in which the information it contains is encoded and translated, and the mechanisms by which it is transmitted and maintained across generations.
Explain and apply the process of science, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Work effectively in teams.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS program can:

Explain and apply core concepts of matter and energy transformation, including thermodynamics, catalysis, the coupling of exergonic and endergonic processes, and the nature of biological energy.
Explain and apply core concepts of macromolecular structure and function, including the nature of biological macromolecules, their interaction with water, the relationship between structure and function, and frequently encountered mechanisms for regulating their function.
Explain and apply core concepts of biological information, including the genome, the manner in which the information it contains is encoded and translated, and the mechanisms by which it is transmitted and maintained across generations.
Explain and apply the process of science, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, quantitative analysis, and data interpretation.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Work effectively in teams.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Honors Program

The BMB honors program allows qualified students to carry out sustained independent projects under the guidance of faculty mentors. Students pursuing a major in BMB who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in their COSM courses and obtained a B or better in all their BMB courses may apply to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to pursue an honors program. Application for admission should be made by students who are currently taking, or have completed, BMB 4210: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I. Students interested in the honors program should seek additional information on the department website.

Combined Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BS & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) also offers a combined degree program leading to both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degree within a five-year plan of study. Only exceptionally well-prepared students are admitted to the program. The combined degree program provides an outstanding opportunity for the development of research skills and requires a written thesis.

For More Information

Program Requirements:

Wright State Core: 43 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

MTH 2240 - Applied Calculus Credit Hour(s): 4
OR
MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Departmental Requirements and Electives: 15 Hours

BMB Elective Courses or other approved course: 9 credit hours
Additional Approved CoSM Courses: 6 credit hours

Related Course Requirements: 37 Hours

BIO 2110 - Principles of Molecular and Classical Genetics Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2140 - Introduction to Cell Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2.5
BIO 3140 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3.5
CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
One full year of Physics
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
Or
PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
4 additional hours of MTH or STT
STT 2640 - Elementary Statistics Credit Hour(s): 4

General Electives: 4 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Note: For graduation credit, all BMB courses require a grade of C or better.

Those intending to apply to graduate school should take a full year of calculus and calculus based physics.

Approved CoSM Electives Courses

ANT 3100 - Human Structure and Function I Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3100L - Human Structure and Function I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
ANT 3120 - Human Structure and Function II Credit Hour(s): 4
ANT 3120L - Human Structure and Function II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 2120 - Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 2310 - Evolution and Ecology Credit Hour(s): 4
BIO 2310L - Evolution and Ecology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 3120 - General Microbiology Credit Hour(s): 5
BIO 3120L - General Microbiology Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 3250 - Basic Cell Culture Techniques Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 3250L - Basic Cell Culture Techniques Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 0
BIO 3810 - Introduction to Bioinformatics Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4060 - Evolutionary Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4200 - Designing Biological Experiments Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4420 - Advanced Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4460 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4480 - Advanced Cell Techniques Credit Hour(s): 3
BIO 4810 - Algorithms for Bioinformatics Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4010 - Selected Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): .5 to 5
BMB 4400 - Human Microbiome Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4444 - Cell Signaling Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4450 - Medical Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4750 - Molecular Biology of Cancer Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 4880 - Independent Reading in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
BMB 4950 - Honors Research in Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 3 to 9
BMB 4990 - Undergraduate Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 10
CHM 3120 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3120L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3510 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3510L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3510R - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
CHM 3520 - Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Thermodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3520L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory II Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3520R - Physical Chemistry II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
NEU 3100 - How the Nervous System Works I Credit Hour(s): 4
NEU 3200 - How the Nervous System Works II Credit Hour(s): 4
NEU 3400 - Advanced Neuroscience Lab Techniques: Microscopy Credit Hour(s): 4
STT 4300 - Biostatistics Credit Hour(s): 3
or Any other course approved by the program director that is related to your course of study

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.