Biochemistry B.S.

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 molecular basis of life.  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 advanced degrees in biochemistry or biophysics, for medical, dental or veterinary schools 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.  This option allows more flexibility in upper division electives, permitting students to tailor the degree to their needs.

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/chemistry/biochemistryProgram/.

Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry

College Humanities & Sciences

Catalog Year: 2014-2015

Degree Specific Credits: 96

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Lower Division Core

Rule: Must complete the following subcategories

54 Total Credits Required

Biochemistry

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BCH 110 - Intro Biology for Biochemists
Offered spring. Prereq. CHMY 141N or equivalent. Prereq. or Coreq., CHMY 143N. Coreq., BCH 111.  An introductory course that explores biomolecules and their roles in life processes.  Provides a foundation for Cellular and Molecular Biology (BIOB 260), Genetics and Evolution (BIOB 272), Introductory Biochemistry Seminar (BCH 294), and many other advanced science courses.
 3 Credits
Show Description BCH 111 - Intro Biol for Biochemists Lab
Offered spring.  Prereq., CHMY 141N or equivalent. Prereq., or Coreq., CHMY 143N. Coreq., BCH 110. Introduction to the experimental techniques used to study biomolecules and their roles in life processes.  Provides a foundation for other advanced level laboratory courses in chemistry and biochemistry.
 1 Credits
Show Description BCH 294 - Seminar/Workshop
Offered spring.  Prereq., BCH 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. Graded credit/no credit.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 5 Total Credits Required

Biology

Rule: All of the following courses are required

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Show Description BIOB 260 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Offered autumn and summer. Prereq. BIOB 160N (preferred) or BCH 110/111 (preferred) or B- or higher in BIOH 112; and either CHMY 123 or CHMY 143. Analytical exploration of the structure and function of the cell, the fundamental unit of life, with an emphasis on energy transformations and information flow. Topics include molecular building blocks, membranes, organelles, and mechanisms of replication, gene expression, metabolism, signal transduction, cell birth, cell death, and cell differentiation.
 4 Credits
Show Description BIOB 272 - Genetics and Evolution
Offered spring and summer. Prereq., either BIOB 260 OR both BIOB 160N and BIOB 170N/171N; and one of M 121, 122, 151, 162, or 171. Principles and mechanisms of inheritance and evolution. Population genetics, fossil record, macroevolution, speciation, extinction, systematics, molecular evolution.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 8 Total Credits Required

General and Organic Chemistry

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CHMY 141N - College Chemistry I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., high school algebra. For science majors and other students intending to take more than one year of chemistry. Properties of elements, inorganic compounds, liquid solutions, chemical equilibria and chemical kinetics. Includes laboratory.
 5 Credits
Show Description CHMY 143N - College Chemistry II
Offered spring and summer. Prereq., "C-" or better in CHMY 141N or consent of instr. A continuation of CHMY 141N. Includes Laboratory.
 5 Credits
Show Description CHMY 221 - Organic Chem I
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 123N or 143N. The chemical and physical properties of organic compounds.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 222 - Org Chm I Lab
Offered autumn. Coreq., CHMY 221; prereq., one semester of 100-level laboratory. Microscale techniques are emphasized.
 2 Credits
Show Description CHMY 223 - Organic Chm II
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 221. Continuation of 221.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 224 - Org Chm II Lab
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 222; prereq. or coreq., CHMY 223.
 2 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 20 Total Credits Required

Physics

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PHSX 215N - Fund of Physics w/Calc I
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., PHSX 216N and M 171 or equiv. This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Mechanics, fluids, waves and sound. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 216N - Physics Laboratory I w/Calc
Offered autumn. Coreq., PHSX 215N. This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Mechanics, fluids, waves, and sound. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 1 Credits
Show Description PHSX 217N - Fund of Physics w/Calc II
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 215N, and prereq. or coreq. PHSX 218, and prereq. or coreq., M 172 or equivalent. This course satisfies the lecture portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Heat, electricity, magnetism, and light. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 4 Credits
Show Description PHSX 218N - Physics Laboratory II w/Calc
Offered spring. Prereq., PHSX 215N, coreq., PHSX 217N. This course satisfies the laboratory portion of medical and technical school requirements in general physics. Heat, electricity, magnetism, and light. Credit not allowed for both PHSX 215N-216N-217N-218N and 205N-206N-207N-208N.
 1 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 10 Total Credits Required

Mathematics

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description M 171 - Calculus I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 122 or 151 or ALEKS placement >= 5.  Differential calculus, including limits, continuous functions, Intermediate Value Theorem, tangents, linear approximation, inverse functions, implicit differentiation, extreme values and the Mean Value Theorem.  Integral Calculus including antiderivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
 4 Credits
Show Description M 172 - Calculus II
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 171 or 181. Techniques of Integration. Area computations. Improper integrals. Infinite series and various convergence tests. Power series. Taylor's Formula. Polar coordinates. Parametric curves.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 8 Total Credits Required

Computer Science

Rule: The following course is required

Note: We advise that students take CSCI 250 in their third year after completing lower division biochemistry, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics coursework.

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Show Description CSCI 250 - Computer Mdlng/Science Majors
Offered autumn. Prereq., basic computer and spreadsheet literacy; coreq., M 162 or 171.  An introduction to computer modeling in the sciences using spreadsheets and a programming language.  Integrates principles of math, computer science and science.  A student can take at most one of CSCI 172, CSCI 250, CRT 280, and CRT 281 for credit.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Core

Rule: Must complete the following subcategories

29 Total Credits Required

Biochemistry

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BCH 480 - Advanced Biochemistry I
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 223. 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 BCH 380 and 480-482.
 3 Credits
Show Description BCH 482 - Advanced Biochemistry II
Offered spring. Prereq., BCH 480 or equiv. Continuation of BCH 480. 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 BCH 380 and BCH 480-482.
 3 Credits
Show Description BCH 486 - Biochemistry Research Lab
Offered spring. Prereq., BCH 380 or 480. Applications of biochemical principles to modern protein biochemistry.  Basic micro- and molecular biology techniques are used to produce mutant proteins; then students learn basic and advanced biophysical techniques to characterize the mutant proteins.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 9 Total Credits Required

Biology

Rule: The following course is required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BIOB 425 - Adv Cell & Molecular Biology
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 and 272; BCH 380 strongly recommended.  Cell structure and function, cell cycle, cellular signaling, molecular basis of cancer, regulated cell death, membrane transport, organelle dynamics, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and the molecular basis of learning and memory.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Analytical Chemistry

Rule: All of the following courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CHMY 311 - Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis
Offered autumn. Prereq., one year of college chemistry, including laboratory. Classroom and laboratory work in gravimetric, volumetric, colorimetric and electrochemical methods of analysis; theory of errors; ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions.
 4 Credits
Show Description CHMY 421 - Advanced Instrument Analysis
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 311. Theory and use of instrumental methods in the study of analytical and physical chemistry.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 8 Total Credits Required

Inorganic Chemistry

Rule: The following course is required

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Show Description CHMY 401 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 223 AND 360 OR 373 or consent of instr. Theory and principles of inorganic chemistry and a systematic coverage of descriptive inorganic chemistry in the context of the periodic table.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Physical Chemistry

Rule: Choose 1 of the following courses

Note: Students planning to attend graduate school in biochemistry or biophysics are strongly advised to take the CHMY 373-371 sequence

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Show Description CHMY 360 - Applied Physical Chemistry
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 123 OR 143 AND M 162. Basic thermodynamics and chemical kinetics with applications in the biological and environmental sciences. Credit not allowed for both 360 and 373.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 373 - Phys Chem-Kntcs & Thrmdynmcs
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 143, M 273, PHYS 122 or 222. Systematic treatment of the laws and theories relating to chemical phenomena. Credit not allowed for both CHMY 360 and 373.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3-4 Total Credits Required

Computer Science

Rule: The following course is required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CSCI 451 - Computational Biology
Offered Autumn.  Designed for attendance by both computer scientists and biologists.  The course will explore the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships between these two fields.  Students will learn to use various existing computational tools for investigating genomic and other biological data.  This will include tools for performing sequence alignments and searches, building phylogenetic trees, predicting RNA secondary structure, and predicting protein tertiary structure.  The underlying algorithmic approaches taken by these tools will be discussed, and in some cases, actually implemented by the class participants.  The course will examine the data repositories where genomic and other biological data are stored.  There will be some light programming required using PERL as the language of choice.  It is assumed that the class participants have no experience programming in PERL and will learn this skill as part of the course. Credit not allowed for CSCI 558 and this course.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Advanced Electives

Rule: Choose 13 credits from the courses listed

Note: No more than 3 credits combined of BIOB 490, CHMY 490, CHMY 498 and BCH 490. No more than 3 credits combined of CHMY 397 and CHMY 494.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BCH 490 - Undergraduate Research
(R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr. Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.
 1 To 10 Credits
Show Description BIOB 301 - Developmental Biology
Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 260; BIOB 272 recommended. An analysis of the origin and development of form and patterns in organisms, stressing the processes of growth and differentiation in plants and animals. Graded traditional letter grade only. 
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOB 375 - General Genetics
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260 and 272. This course will focus on the molecular genetics of eukaryotes, with special emphasis on transmission genetics and gene structure and regulation.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOB 410 - Immunology
Offered autumn. Prereq., Grade of C- or better in BIOB 260. Current concepts and methods in Immunology.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOB 411 - Immunology Laboratory
Offered autumn.  Coreq., BIOB 410. Modern techniques for analysis of immune responses.
 2 Credits
Show Description BIOB 440 - Biological Electron Microscopy
Offered spring.  Prereq., senior standing or consent of instr. Theory of electron microscopy, recent developments in transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Limited experience with the instruments.
 2 Credits
Show Description BIOB 486 - Genomics
Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Principles and mechanisms of genome biology of animals and microbes, including genome function, evolution, and basic molecular and computational methodology used in genome biology.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOB 490 - Adv Undergrad Research
(R-10) Offered every term.  Prereq., junior or senior standing and consent of instr.  Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Graded credit/no credit.
 1 To 10 Credits
Show Description BIOH 360 - Intro Neuroscience
Offered autumn.  Prereq., introductory chemistry and biology. Same as BMED 347.  The molecular and cellular physiology of the human nervous system.  Topics range from the basis of electrical and chemical signaling in neurons to the organization of the nervous system and its functions in generating behavior.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOH 365 - Human AP I for Health Profsns
Offered autumn and summer. Prereq., CHMY 121N or CHMY 141N; BIOB 160N or BIOH 112 or 113. Introduction to basic cellular structure and function. The fundamental facts and concepts of the anatomy and physiology of cells and tissues, the integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous and special senses with an emphasis on clinical application for students preparing for careers in health care. Laboratory component includes presentation of cadaver prosections and models.
 4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 370 - Human AP II for Health Profsns
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOH 365. The fundamental facts and concepts of the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems with an emphasis on clinical application for students preparing for careers in health care. Laboratory component includes presentation of cadaver prosections and models.
 4 Credits
Show Description BIOH 405 - Hematology
Offered autumn. Prereq., junior level or consent of instr., BIOM 360. Study of blood and diseases of the circulatory system. Blood banking and serology.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOH 462 - Principles Medical Physiology
Offered spring. Prereq., C (2.00) or better in BIOH 365, 370, and either CHMY 123N or 143N or consent of instr. An advanced course in human physiology for students preparing for careers in health care.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOM 360 - Gen Microbiolgy (equiv to 260)
Offered autumn. Prereq., CHMY 123N or 143N; Prereq. or coreq., BIOB 260. Microbial structure and function, growth and reproduction, physiology, ecology, genetics, environmental factors, control of microorganisms and sterility, antimicrobial agents, microbial diversity.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOM 361 - Gen Microbiolgy Lb (equiv 261)
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 360. Basic microbiology procedures and techniques.
 2 Credits
Show Description BIOM 400 - Medical Microbiology
Offered autumn.  Microbial structure and functions, pathogenic microorganisms, virology, immunology. Credit not allowed toward a major in microbiology.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOM 410 - Microbial Genetics
Offered spring.  Prereq., BIOM 360 and 361.  The molecular genetics of prokaryotic organisms including: structure and replication of the prokaryotic chromosome; gene expression; mutagenesis and DNA repair; plasmids and other tools of genetic engineering; transmission of genetic material and recombination in prokaryotes; regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; recombinant DNA and biotechnology.
 3 Credits
Show Description BIOM 411 - Exprmntl Microbial Genetcs Lab
Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., BIOM 410. Experiments in microbial genetics: Analysis of genes and genomes.
 1 Credits
Show Description BIOM 427 - General Parasitology
Offered autumn. Prereq., BIOB 272. Parasitism as a biological phenomenon, origin of parasitism, adaptations and life cycles, parasite morphology, fine structure, physiology, parasites and their environment.
 2 Credits
Show Description BIOM 428 - General Parasitology Lab
Offered autumn. Coreq., BIOM 427. Taxonomy, morphology and identification of parasitic protozoa, helminths and arthropods.
 2 Credits
Show Description BIOM 435 - Virology
Offered spring. Prereq., BIOB 260, and either BIOM 360 or BIOM 400. The general nature of viruses, with emphasis on the molecular biology of animal and human viruses. Co-convenes with BIOM 535.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 371 - Phys Chem-Qntm Chm & Spctrscpy
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 373. Systematic treatment of the laws and theories relating to chemical phenomena.
 4 Credits
Show Description CHMY 397 - Teaching Chemistry
Offered every term.  Prereq., CHMY 141N-143N with B or better and consent of instr.  Methods of peer-led  team learning as applied to general chemistry instruction.  Review of concepts from general chemistry.  Student leaders mentor a team of general chemistry students in working toward constructing chemistry knowledge and developing problem-solving skills.
 1 Credits
Show Description CHMY 402 - Advanced Inorganic Chem Lab
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 224 AND 360 or 373 and consent of instr. Preparation of inorganic and coordination compounds. Isolation and characterization by ion exchange, column chromatography, IR, UV-VIS, derivatives, MP, and BP.
 2 Credits
Show Description CHMY 403 - Descriptive Inorganic Chem
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 221-222, 360 or 373-371, and 401. A survey of the chemistry of the elements including transition metal reaction mechanisms, redox chemistry, organometallic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 442 - Aquatic Chemistry
Offered autumn odd-numbered years.  Prereq., CHMY 311 or consent of instr. Application of chemical equilibria theory for understanding and modeling chemical processes in natural waters with an emphasis on spreadsheet computations.  In depth examination of concepts such as pH, alkalinity, buffering, and solubility as they apply to natural waters.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 465 - Organic Spectroscopy
Offered intermittently. Prereq., CHMY 360 or 373 and one year of organic chemistry or consent of instr. Theory and interpretation of the NMR, IR, UV, and mass spectra of organic compounds with the goal of structure identification.
 3 Credits
Show Description CHMY 466 - FT-NMR Optn for Undrgrd Rsrch
Offered intermittently. Prereq., CHMY 221-222; research project using NMR; consent of instr. Operation of the FT-NMR spectrometer and brief background of NMR spectroscopy.
 1 Credits
Show Description CHMY 485 - Laboratory Safety
Offered autumn. Prereq., one year of college chemistry. Awareness of and methods of control of hazards encountered in laboratory work. Awareness of legal constraints on work with chemicals. Sources of information regarding chemical hazards.
 1 Credits
Show Description CHMY 490 - Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Research Variable cr (R-9). Offered autumn, spring, and summer. Prereq., consent of instr. Laboratory investigations and research in the laboratory of a faculty member.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description CHMY 494 - Seminar/Workshop
(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Laboratory investigations and research in the laboratory of a faculty member.
 1 To 9 Credits
Show Description CHMY 498 - Internship/Cooperative Educ
Prereq., consent of department. Extended non-classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description PHAR 421 - Medicinal Chem I
Offered autumn.  The chemistry of organic compounds used medicinally and their biochemical mechanisms of action.
 3 Credits
Show Description PHAR 422 - Medicinal Chem II
Offered spring. Prereq., BMED 421. Continuation of 421.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 13 Total Credits Required