Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Director: Norma Velazquez-Ulloa
Administrative Assistant: Amy Timmins

This major’s focus is the molecular logic of living organisms. Biochemists and molecular biologists study how the molecules within the cell interact to maintain and perpetuate life. The biochemistry/molecular biology major at Lewis & Clark provides students with an opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study that follows the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Students majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology devote their first years of study to mastering the basic tenets of calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry. Upper-division coursework exposes students to current research in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology.

The distinctive character of our program derives from the curricular goals that shape it. Faculty associated with the biochemistry/molecular biology program are proponents of a lab-rich, investigative education for undergraduates in the sciences. Opportunities for scientific inquiry are woven into the laboratory curriculum and prepare the student ultimately to undertake collaborative research projects with the faculty. To foster the ability of our students to engage independently in the scientific process, we devote class time to critically reading the primary literature. In our laboratory courses, students participate in selecting and designing their experiments. The curriculum is constructed to engage students in the scientific process and thereby facilitate the development of reflective judgment and problem-solving skills.

Students majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology are guided by sponsoring faculty from the biology, chemistry, and physics departments. The major prepares students for careers in biomedical research, biotechnology, and genetic engineering. It is especially suitable for students seeking admission to medical or dental schools, or to graduate programs in biochemistry, cell or molecular biology, or genetics. Students majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology may not minor in biology or chemistry.

Major Requirements

A minimum of 50 semester credits in biology and chemistry, plus courses in mathematics and physics, distributed as follows:

Lower-level biology, chemistry, math, and/or physics courses, and associated credits, may be waived by the director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program for students eligible to begin sequences in higher-level courses.

Honors

Biochemistry/molecular biology majors who have distinguished themselves academically by earning a GPA of 3.500 or higher in the major, have completed either BIO 312 or CHEM 336, and have some prior research experience are invited in the spring of their junior year to participate in the senior thesis program. Students who accept the invitation work with a faculty advisor to develop a research project, which must be approved by faculty overseeing the biochemistry/molecular biology major. Following the experimental work, students prepare a written thesis and orally defend it during the spring semester of the senior year. Honors are awarded to those students whose thesis is judged to be meritorious and who maintain a GPA of 3.500 in the major.

Faculty

Julio C. de Paula. Professor of chemistry. Physical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Nanotechnology. PhD 1987 Yale University. BA 1982 Rutgers University.

Jean-Philippe Gourdine. Assistant professor of chemistry. Structural & Metabolic Biochemistry, Glycobiology & Human Microbiome. PhD 2006, MS 2002, BSc 2000, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

Greg J. Hermann. Professor of biology. Developmental Genetics and Cell Biology. PhD 1998 University of Utah. BS 1992 Gonzaga University.

Nikolaus M. Loening. Professor of chemistry. Physical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry. PhD 2001, MPhil 1998 University of Cambridge. BS 1997 Harvey Mudd College.

Bethe A. Scalettar. Professor of physics. Fluorescence microscopy, biophysics, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics. PhD 1987 University of California at Berkeley. BS 1981 University of California at Irvine.

Sharon E. Torigoe. Assistant professor of biology. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Gene Expression Regulation. PhD 2013 University of California at San Diego. BA 2007 Scripps College.

Norma Velázquez Ulloa. Associate professor of biology, director of the biochemistry and molecular biology program, co-director of the neuroscience program. Behavioral Genetics, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Neurophysiology, Cell Biology. PhD 2009 University of California at San Diego. BS 2002 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

Tamily Weissman. Professor of biology and department chair. Neurobiology. PhD 2004 Columbia University. BA 1992 Pomona College.

Courses

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BCMB 410 Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Seminar

Content: Select topics in biochemistry and molecular biology. Students attend seminars of invited outside researchers and have the option to prepare an oral seminar based on their own research or on a critical analysis of a relevant research publication.
Prerequisites: BIO 202. CHEM 120.
Usually offered: Annually, spring semester.
Semester credits: 1.

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BCMB 496 Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Senior Research

Content: In-depth laboratory inquiry into a question relevant to biochemistry/ molecular biology. Students develop a thesis proposal in association with a faculty mentor, conduct extensive experimental work to address their hypothesis, and present their analysis of their findings in a written thesis. Four credits each semester of the senior year. A deferred grade will be issued for the first semester of the yearlong series. When the full sequence is completed, the given grade applies to both semesters.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: By invitation only. Senior standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 4.

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BCMB 499 Independent Study

Content: Participation in a faculty-supervised research project at Lewis Clark or another research institution. Further information available from biochemistry program faculty members. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Restrictions: Approval of project proposal by program and supervising faculty member and sophomore standing required.
Usually offered: Annually, fall and spring semester.
Semester credits: 2-4.