Overview

The IDS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major in general delves into every aspect of cells and biology at the molecular level. The approach leans more toward biology than the chemistry submajor in biochemistry.

This includes molecular genetics, molecular cell biology, biotechnology, structural biology, enzymology, certain aspects of virology and immunology, cancer, ageing, and pharmacology.

In brief, in the first two years students take courses in the sciences (such as: chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics, and biology) and in the second two years students take more specialized course (such as: biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physical chemistry, molecular biology and related classes). This offers students great flexibility in the course they take and therefore they can tailor their courses to their research interests.

In addition to the traditional course work, in the last two years students focus on a research project of their interest with a professor in a specialized area of research.
List of Faculty research interests>

This program provides students with excellent preparation for medical school, dental school, veterinary school, graduate school, and research careers in biology, genetics, biomedicine, biotechnology, pharmacology, etc. for academic, government, hospitals, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical settings.

An interested student should take during his or her first two years the same fundamental courses leading to majors in the other biological sciences. We require two semesters of general chemistry ("core chemistry"), two semesters of organic chemistry, two semesters of calculus, two semesters of general physics (with or without calculus, however we strongly urge the former), and two semesters of biology ("core biology"). Small deficits can be remedied early in the Junior year. These are the same courses required by medical schools and dental schools.