The Biochemistry Program is a joint program between the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Division of Biological Sciences. Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that integrates chemistry and biology to understand the basis of life at the molecular level. The program offers a B.S. in Biochemistry and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry & Biophysics.
Undergraduate majors receive a solid foundation in both chemistry and biology. Biochemistry courses are usually taken in the junior year allowing majors to become involved in research with faculty and to take electives in their senior year. The major also introduces students to computer science and bioinformatics, essential tools in modern biochemistry. The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for both advanced degrees in biochemistry and for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. A Health Professions option is also offered within the B.S. in Biochemistry for students whose career goals are in fields related to biochemistry.
The graduate degrees in Biochemistry & Biophysics prepare students to be independent researchers in academic laboratories or in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Through coursework and independent research, graduate students in this program will become adept at the physical and structural methods necessary to probe important problems in the life sciences at the molecular level. In collaboration with the Center for Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics, the Biochemistry Program provides state-of-the-art facilities for research in biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology.
Prospective students desiring further information on these degrees should contact the Program Director by visiting the Biochemistry Program web site: http://www.cas.umt.edu/biomolecular/.
High School Preparation: In addition to the general University admission requirements, it is strongly recommended that a student take four years of mathematics, four years of science, and a foreign language.
13 credits of electives from BIOL 301, 312, 313, 345, 347, 400, 401, 440, 460, 4971; BIOC 4971; BMED 347, 421, 422; CHMY 371, 397, 402, 403, 442, 465, 466, 485, 490,1 4981; MICB 300, 301, 302, 309, 404, 405, 410, 411, 420.
1No more that 3 credits combined of BIOL 497, CHMY 490, 498 or BIOC 497 may be counted toward the 13 credit elective requirement.
For Group I of the General Education requirements (English Writing Skills), all students must complete WRIT 101 (ENEX 101), a lower division writing course, an upper division writing course, and need to obtain a score of 3 or better on the WPA exam. The upper division requirement will be satisfied by BIOC 482W (1/3 of requirement) and BIOC 486W (2/3 of requirement).
Group II of the General Education requirement (Mathematics) is fulfilled by M 171-172.
The Foreign Language/Symbolic Systems requirement (Group III of the General Education Requirement) is fulfilled by M 171.
All students must complete 27 credit hours from groups IV to XI of the General Education requirement to graduate (CHMY 141N-143N) counts as the 6 credit group XI requirement). One of these courses should be an approved lower division writing course.
Credits to Graduate:
Required courses: 83
Elective courses: 13
General education:1 21
WRIT 101 (ENEX 101): 3
Total: 120
1Groups IV to X account for 21 credit hours.
20 credits of electives from BIOL 301, 312, 313, 345, 347, 400, 401, 440, 460, 4971; BIOC 486, 4971; BMED 347, 421, 422; CHMY 371, 397, 402, 403, 442, 465, 466, 485, 490,1 4981; MICB 300, 301, 309, 404, 405, 410, 411, 420.
1No more that 3 credits combined of BIOL 497, CHMY 490, 498 or BIOC 497 may be counted toward the 20 credit elective requirement.
For Group I of the General Education requirements (English Writing Skills), all students must all students must complete WRIT 101 (ENEX 101), a lower division writing course, an upper division writing course, and need to obtain a score of 3 or better on the WPA exam. CHEM 334 is the formal requirement to satisfy the upper division requirement in this option. It can also be satisfied by taking the following combinations of required and elective courses: BIOC 482W and BIOC 486W; BIOC 482W, MICB 410 and MICB 411; MICB 404 or MICB 420.
Group II of the General Education requirement (Mathematics) is fulfilled by M 162.
The Foreign Language/Symbolic Systems requirement (Group III of the General Education Requirement) is fulfilled by M 162-274.
All students must complete 27 credit hours from groups IV to XI of the General Education requirement to graduate (CHMY 141N-143N) counts as the 6 credit group XI requirement). One of these courses should be an approved lower division writing course.
Credits to Graduate:
Required courses: 76
Elective courses: 20
General education:1 21
WRIT 101 (ENEX 101): 3
Total: 120
1Groups IV to X account for 21 credit hours.
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| CHMY 141N (CHEM 161N) College Chemistry I | 5 | - |
| CHMY 143N (CHEM 162N) College Chemistry II | - | 5 |
| M 171 (MATH 152) Calculus I | 4 | - |
| M 172 (MATH 153) Calculus II | - | 4 |
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing I | 3 | - |
| BIOC 110 Biochemistry of Life Lecture | - | 3 |
| BIOC 111 Biochemistry of Life Laboratory | - | 1 |
| CS 177 Computer Modeling for Science Majors | - | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | - |
| Total | 15 | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| CHMY 221-222 (CHEM 221-222) Organic Chemistry I and Lab | 5 | - |
| CHMY 223-224 (CHEM 223-224) Organic Chemistry II and Lab | - | 5 |
| PHYS 211N/213N Fundamentals of Physics I with Calculus and Lab | 5 | - |
| PHYS 212N/214N Fundamentals of Physics II with Calculus and Lab | - | 5 |
| BIOL 221 Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | - |
| BIOL 223 Genetics and Evolution | - | 4 |
| BIOC 210 Introductory Biochemistry Seminar | - | 1 |
| Total | 14 | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| CHMY 311 (CHEM 341) Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis | 4 | - |
| CHMY 360 (CHEM 370) Applied Physical Chemistry (or CHMY 373 (CHEM 371) | - | 3 |
| CHMY 421 (CHEM 342) Advanced Instrument Analysis | - | 4 |
| BIOC 481 Biochemistry I | 3 | - |
| BIOC 482 Biochemistry II | - | 3 |
| BIOC 486 Biochemistry Laboratory | - | 3 |
| General Education | 9 | - |
| Total | 16 | 13 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| CHMY 401 (CHEM 452) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | - |
| CS 458 Bioinformatics | 3 | - |
| BIOL 464 Advanced Cellular Biology | - | 3 |
| Advanced Electives * | 6 | 7 |
| General Education | 3 | 6 |
| Total | 15 | 16 |
| *Advanced Biochemistry Electives: BIOL 312, BIOL 345, BIOL/BMED 347, BIOL 400, BIOL 401, BIOL 301, BIOL 313, BIOL 440, BIOL 460, BMED/BIOL 347, BMED 421, BMED 422, CHMY 397, CHMY 442, CHMY 465, CHMY 466, CHMY 485, CHMY 372, CHMY 402, CHMY 406, MICB 300, MICB 301, MICB 302, MICB 309, MICB 410, MICB 411, MICB 404, MICB 405, MICB 420, BIOC/BIOL 497, CHMY 490, CHMY 498 |
| First Year | A | S |
|---|---|---|
| CHMY 141N (CHEM 161N) College Chemistry I | 5 | - |
| CHMY 143N (CHEM 162N) College Chemistry II | - | 5 |
| M 162 (MATH 150) Applied Calculus | 4 | - |
| M 274 (MATH 158) Intro to Differential Equation | - | 3 |
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing I | 3 | - |
| BIOC 110 Biochemistry of Life Lecture | - | 3 |
| BIOC 111 Biochemistry of Life Laboratory | - | 1 |
| General Education | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| CHMY 221-222 (CHEM 221-222) Organic Chemistry I and Lab | 5 | - |
| CHMY 223-224 (CHEM 223-224) Organic Chemistry II and Lab | - | 5 |
| PHYS 111N/113N Fundamentals of Physics I and Lab | 5 | - |
| PHYS 112N/114N Fundamentals of Physics II and Lab | - | 5 |
| BIOL 221 Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | - |
| BIOL 223 Genetics and Evolution | - | 4 |
| BIOC 210 Introductory Biochemistry Seminar | - | 1 |
| Total | 14 | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| CHMY 311 (CHEM 341) Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis | 4 | - |
| CHMY 302E (CHEM 334) Chemistry Lit and Science Writing | 3 | - |
| CHMY 360 (CHEM 370) Applied Physical Chemistry (or CHMY 373 (CHEM 371) | - | 3 |
| CHMY 421 (CHEM 342) Advanced Instrument Analysis | - | 4 |
| MICB 300 General Microbiology (or MICB 302 offered autumn) | - | 3 |
| Advanced Electives* | 3 | 5 |
| General Education | 6 | - |
| Total | 16 | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| CHMY 401 (CHEM 452) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | - |
| BIOC 481 Biochemistry I | 3 | - |
| BIOL 482 Biochemistry II | - | 3 |
| Advanced Electives * | 3 | 9 |
| General Education | 6 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 15 |
| *Advanced Biochemistry Electives: BIOL 312, BIOL 345, BIOL/BMED 347, BIOL 400, BIOL 401, BIOL 301, BIOL 313, BIOL 440, BIOL 460, BMED/BIOL 347, BMED 421, BMED 422, CHMY 397, CHMY 442, CHMY 465, CHMY 466, CHMY 485, CHMY 372, CHMY 402, CHMY 406, MICB 300, MICB 301, MICB 302, MICB 309, MICB 410, MICB 411, MICB 404, MICB 405, MICB 420, BIOC/BIOL 497, CHMY 490, CHMY 498 |
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
U 110 The Biochemistry of Life 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq. CHMY 141N (CHEM 161N) or equivalent. Coreq., CHMY 143N (CHEM 162N) and BIOC 111. An introductory course that explores bio-molecules and their roles in life processes. Provides a foundation for Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 221), Genetics and Evolution (BIOL 223), Biochemistry Seminar (BIOC 210), and many other advanced science courses.
U 111 The Biochemistry of Life Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 141N (CHEM 161N) or equivalent. Coreq., CHMY 143N (CHEM 162N) and BIOC 110. Introduction to the experimental techniques used to study bio-molecules and their roles in life processes. Provides a foundation for other advanced level laboratory courses in chemistry and biochemistry.
U 210 Introductory Biochemistry Seminar 1 cr. Offered spring. prereq., BIOC 110/111 or equivalent. An introduction to important advances in biochemistry through readings from the primary literature and discussion of this literature. Faculty members will also make presentations on their research.
UG 380 Fundamentals of Biochemistry 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 223 (CHEM 223). Fundamental biochemistry; chemistry and metabolism of biomolecules, energy relationships in metabolism; storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information.
UG 481 Biochemistry 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., CMHY 223 (CHEM 223), CHMY 360 (CHEM 370) or CHMY 371 (CHEM 372) or equiv. Primarily for science majors. The chemistry and metabolism of biomolecules, with emphasis on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids and the associated bioenergetics. Credit not allowed for both BIOC 380 and BIOC 481-482.
UG 482 Biochemistry 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOC 481 or equiv. Continuation of BIOC 481. Metabolism, especially macromolecule biosyntheses, the chemistry and regulation of the transfer and expression of genetic information, protein synthesis and molecular physiology. Credit not allowed for both BIOC 380 and BIOC 481-482.
UG 486 Biochemistry Research Laboratory 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., BIOC 380 or 481. Applications of biochemical principles to modern molecular biology and biochemical techniques. Includes cloning a gene, making site-directed mutants; then will express, purify, and characterize the protein product.
UG 495 Special Topics 1-10 cr. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 497 Advanced Undergraduate Research 1-10 cr. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded pass/not pass.
U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3-6 cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., senior standing and consent of instr. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on undergraduate research for presentation and/or publication. Student must give an oral or poster presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium or a scientific meeting. Graded pass/not pass.
G 561 RNA Structure and Function 1 cr. (R-8) Offered every semester. Prereq., BIOC 482, BIOL 221, and consent of instr. Exploration of current scientific literature and new data that focuses on RNA biochemistry. Emphasis on literature relevant to research on RNA viruses and ribosomes and protein synthesis.
G 562 The Structural Basis of Amyloid Disease 1 cr. (R-8) CR/NCR only, offered every semester. Prereq., BIOC 481 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Weekly exploration of current literature and new research that focuses on the biophysical aspects of amyloid diseases, including protein structure and therapeutic treatments.
G 570 Introduction to Research 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing. Required course for biochemistry and biophysics graduate students. Students are acquainted with faculty research projects. Instruction in basic research techniques, research equipment. Introduction to relevant scientific research literature. Six hours in each research laboratory of faculty in biochemistry and biophysics program.
G 580 Training Seminar 1 cr. (R-2) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as MICB 580. A one-semester offering required of all new students.
G 581 Physical Biochemistry 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., CHMY 360 or CHMY 371 (CHEM 370) or (CHEM 372); BIOC 482. Techniques of physical chemistry used in studying biological structure and function of macromolecules. Emphasis is on spectroscopic methods, hydrodynamic methods and x-ray and other scattering and diffraction techniques.
G 582 Proteins and Enzymes 3 cr. offered alternate autumn semesters. Prereq., BIOC 482 or equivalent. An investigation into the structure/function relationship in proteins and a detailed exploration or enzyme kinetics, using examples from current literature.
G 584 Nucleic Acids Biochemistry 3 cr. Offered alternate autumn semesters. Prereq., BIOC 482 or equivalent. Emphasis on critical reading of current literature that investigates structure, chemistry, and function of nucleic acids.
G 594 Professional Seminar 1 cr. (R-4) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Same as MICB 594. Presentation of current research in biochemistry and molecular biology by senior graduate students, faculty, and invited outside speakers.
G 595 Special Topics 1-3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing and consent of instr. Experimental offering of new courses by resident or visiting faculty.
G 597 Research Variable cr. (R-18) Offered intermittently.
G 599 Thesis 1-10 cr. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., master's student in biochemistry and biophysics. Laboratory research for and preparation of a master's thesis.
G 600 Advanced Cellular Biochemistry 4 cr. Offered every spring. Prereq., BIOC 380 or 482, or consent of instr. Same as BMED 600. Exploration on a molecular level the regulation of structure, function, and dynamics of eukaryotic cells. Topics include membranes, cytoskeleton, transcription, translation, signal transduction, cell motility, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death.
G 685 Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1-3 cr. (R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., BIOC 482 or equiv. and consent of instr. Introduction to research techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology.
G 699 Dissertation 1-10 cr. (R-20) Offered intermittently. Prereq., doctoral student in biochemistry. Laboratory research for and preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
Faculty
Michele A. McGuirl, Division of Biological Sciences, Ph.D., Montana State University, 1999
Registrar's Office
Lommasson Center 201
Phone: (406) 243-2995
Fax: (406) 243-4807
