Biochemistry Minor

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/.

Minor - Biochemistry

College Humanities & Sciences

Catalog Year: 2015-2016

Degree Specific Credits: 29

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.0

Biochemistry

Rule: All 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
Minimum Required Grade: C- 4 Total Credits Required

Chemistry

Rule: All courses are required

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description CHMY 141N - College Chemistry I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ALEKS Placement Level 4 or M 095 Intermediate Algebra w/ C- or better. 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 223 - Organic Chm II
Offered spring. Prereq., CHMY 221. Continuation of 221.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 16 Total Credits Required

Upper Division Biochemistry

Rule: All 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 of biomolecules, with emphasis on the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The chemistry and regulation of the transfer and expression of genetic information, protein synthesis. 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. Enzyme kinetics, metabolism, especially macromolecule biosyntheses and energy acquisition pathways, and the associated energetics 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