Department of Biochemistry
Biochemical Research
School of Medicine
Phone 368-3344; Fax 368-4544
Richard W. Hanson
The Department of Biochemistry offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, the combined Bachelor of Arts-Doctor of Philosophy and combined Doctor of Medicine-Doctor of Philosophy.
In addition, many interdisciplinary and interdepartmental programs are available with other departments in the School of Medicine and in Case Western Reserve University that provide many possible additional avenues of study for those interested in pursuing a career in biochemistry. Research interests within the department include a broad spectrum of modern biochemical topics. The department's research facilities include major special equipment and special facilities needed for research in modern biochemistry. Additional information about either the undergraduate or graduate programs can be obtained by contacting the departmental office.
(See School of Medicine.)
The two undergraduate major programs are designed to meet the requirements of the individual undergraduate colleges. The availability of time for elective courses permits a student to concentrate even more intensively than the curriculum requires or to pursue other courses in science or the liberal arts. In some cases, there may be alternative tracks, e.g., in mathematics and chemistry. Students may be allowed to take a track other than the one indicated in the curriculum if they obtain permission to do so from their college, the Department of Biochemistry, and the department in which the courses are offered.
For all biochemistry majors, as well as for other qualified students, undergraduate research is strongly encouraged. As many as nine hours of BIOC 391 may be credited toward the requirements for graduation.
Both the B.A. and the B.S. programs, shown on the following pages, allow students to follow many options after graduation. Each program is excellent for students planning to enter graduate programs in biochemistry or related areas in the health professions. Graduates would also be well prepared for employment in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry or as research assistants in academic research laboratories. A small number of additional courses or three years of employment would make them eligible for membership in the American Chemical Society. Students in both the B.A. and the B.S. curricula are eligible for associate membership in the American Chemical Society once they have reached senior status.
Students enroll in the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemistry, and are required to complete the following courses:
- BIOC 307, 312, 333, 334, 371, 372
- BIOL 110, 210, 211, 326
- CHEM 105, 106 (or 107,108), 113, 223, 224 (or 323, 324), 233, 234, 301, 302
- MATH 125, 126
- PHYS 115,116, and 113 or 205
Students enroll in the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree and are required to complete the following courses:
- BIOC 307, 312, 333, 334, 371, 372
- BIOL 110, 210, 211, 326
- CHEM 105, 106 (or 107,108), 113, 223, 224 (or 323, 324), 321, 322, 301, 302 (or 335, 336, 337)
- CMPS 131
- MATH 121, 122, 223, 224
- CORE ELECTIVE
- PHYS 120, 219, 220, 205
- PHYS 249 or ECMP 251
Biochemistry majors who have excellent academic records will be admitted to the department's Undergraduate Honors Program. To graduate with departmental honors in biochemistry, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
- A combined grade point average of 3.3 in biochemistry, biology, and chemistry and an overall grade point average of 3.0.
- A minimum of 6 semester hours of laboratory research as BIOC 391.
- A thesis approved by the Undergraduate Committee of the department on the basis of the quality of the research and the written report.
An acceptable thesis:
- Should follow a standard manuscript format.
- Should demonstrate a student's understanding of the research area, experimental techniques, goals and implications of the project.
- Should show that the student has advanced his/her knowledge and understanding of the techniques. The research adviser is asked to write a letter recommending the student. The committee's decision will be based on the quality of the thesis.
Students may obtain credit for a minor in biochemistry by completing one year of freshman chemistry (including laboratory), one year of organic chemistry (including laboratory), two semesters of approved biology courses, and three semesters of didactic courses in biochemistry.
A recommended sequence of courses would include:
- CHEM 105, 106 (or 107, 108)
- CHEM 113 laboratory
- CHEM 223, 224 (or 323, 324)
- BIOL 110, 210
- BIOC 307, 334 and either 312 or 333.
The sequences may be followed after consultation with the Department of Biochemistry and with the other departments involved.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
FRESHMAN
Fall Semester
MATH 125. Mathematics I (4)
CHEM 105. Principles of Chemistry I (3) or
CHEM 107. Properties and Structure of Matter I (3)
BIOL 110. Principles of Biology (3)**
Core Sequence II, III or IV (3)
Core Sequence II, III or IV (3)
PHED 100. Physical Education Activities (0)
Spring Semester
MATH 126. Mathematics II (4)
CHEM 106. Principles of Chemistry II (3) or
CHEM 108. Properties and Structure of Matter II (3)
CHEM 113. Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (2)
Core Sequence II, III or IV (3)
Core Sequence II, III, or IV (3)
ENGL 150. Expository Writing (3)
PHED 100. Physical Education Activities (0)
SOPHOMORE
Fall Semester
CHEM 223. Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3)*
CHEM 233. Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2)
PHYS 115. Introductory Physics I (3)
Core Sequence II, III, or IV (3)
Course in selected minor field (3)
Elective (3)
Spring Semester
CHEM 224. Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3)*
CHEM 234. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)
PHYS 116. Introductory Physics II (3)
PHYS 113. General Physics Laboratory (2)
Core Sequence II, III, or IV (3)
Course in selected minor field (3)
JUNIOR
Fall Semester
CHEM 301. Physical Chemistry I (3)
BIOC 307. General Biochemistry (4)
BIOL 210. Cell Biology: Structure, Function, Genetics (3)**
BIOL 211. Cell Biology Laboratory (2)
Course in selected minor field (3)
Spring Semester
CHEM 302. Physical Chemistry II (3)
BIOC 333. Molecular Biology: Genes & Genetic Engineering (4)
BIOL 326. Genetics (3)
Course in selected minor field (3)
Elective (3)
SENIOR
Fall Semester
BIOC 334. Proteins and Enzymes (3)
BIOC 371. Undergraduate Seminar (1)
Electives (9)
Minor in Biochemistry
CHEM 105, 106, 113, 223, 224, 233, 234.
BIOL 110, 210.
BIOC 307, 334 and BIOC 312 or BIOC 333
Spring Semester
BIOC 312. Physical Properties of Macromolecules (3)
BIOC 372. Undergraduate Seminar (1)
Course in selected minor field (3)
Electives (9)
- CHEM 105, 106, 113, 223, 224, 233, 234
- BIOL 110, 210
- BIOC 307, 334 and BIOC 312 or BIOC 333
* Selected students may he invited to take CHEM 323, 324.
** Students who have completed BIOL 110 or who have received advanced standing may elect to take BIOL 210 in the sophomore year.
FRESHMAN
Fall Semester
Open elective or humanities/social science (3-0-3)
CHEM 105. Principles of Chemistry I (3-0-3) or
CHEM 107. Properties and Structure of Matter I (3-0-3)
CMPS 131. Elementary Computer Programming (2-2-3)
MATH 121. Calculus for Science and Engineering I (4-0-4)
ENGL 150. Expository Writing (3-0-3)
PHED 100. Physical Education Activities (0-3-0)
Total (15-5-16)
Spring Semster
Humanities/social science or open elective (3-0-3)b
CHEM 106. Principles of Chemistry II (3-0-3) or
CHEM 108. Properties and Structure of Matter II (3-0-3)
CHEM 113. Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (1-3-2)
MATH 122. Calculus for Science and Engineering II (4-0-4)
PHYS 120. General Physics I, Mechanics (4-0-4)a
PHED 100. Physical Education Activities (0-3-0)
Total (15-6-16)
SOPHOMORE
Fall Semester
Humanities or Social Science Sequence I (3-0-3)
BIOL 110. Principles of Biology (3-0-3)b
CHEM 223. Introductory Organic Chemistry I (3-0-3)c
CHEM 321. Laboratory Methods and Techniques I (1-6-3)
MATH 223. Calculus for Science and Engineering III (3-0-3)
PHYS 219. General Physics II, Electricity and Magnetism (4-0-4)
Total (17-6-19)
Spring Semster
Humanities or Social Science Sequence II (3-0-3)
CHEM 224. Introductory Organic Chemistry II (3-0-3)c
CHEM 322. Laboratory Methods and Techniques II (1-6-3)
MATH 224. Elementary Differential Equations (3-0-3)
PHYS 220, General Physics III,
Modern Physics (3-0-3)
Open elective (3-0-3)
Total (16-6-18 )
JUNIOR
Fall Semester
Humanities or social science sequence III (3-0-3)
BIOL 307. General Biochemistry (4-0-4)
BIOL 210. Cell Biology: Structure, Function, Genetics (3-0-3)b
BIOL 211. Cell Biology Laboratory (0-4-2)
CHEM 301. Physical Chemistry I (3-0-3)
PHYS 205. General Physics Laboratory (0-4-2)
Total (13-8-17)
Spring Semster
Humanities or Social Science Sequence IV (3-0-3)
BIOC 333, Molecular Biology: Genes and Genetic Engineering(4--0-4)
BIOL 326, Genetics (3-0-3)
CHEM 302, Physical Chemistry II (3-0-3)
Technical elective (3-0-3)
Total (16-0-16)
SENIOR
Fall Semester
Humanities/social science elective (3-0-3)
BIOC 371. Undergraduate Seminar (2-0-1)
BIOC 334. Protein and Enzymes (3-0-3)
Technical elective (3-0-3)
Core elective (3-0-3)
Approved elective (3-0-3)
Total (14-0-16)
Spring Semster
BIOC 312, Physical Properties of Macromolecules (3-0-3)
Humanities/social science elective (3-0-3)
BIOC 372, Undergraduate Seminar (2-0-1)
Technical elective (2-0-2)
PHYS 249, Mathematical Physics and Computing, or ECMP 251, Numerical Methods (2-2-3)
Open elective (3-0-3)
Total (16-0-15)
Hours required for graduation: 133
Up to nine credit hours of undergraduate research, BIOC 391, may be taken under the technical elective program. Students should consult their academic advisers about the elective parts of the curriculum.
a Selected students may be invited to take PHYS 125, 126, General Physics I, II Honors, in place of PHYS 120 and an open elective.
b Students who have either completed or received advanced placement in BIOL 110 may elect to take BIOL 210 in the sophomore year.
c Selected students may be invited to take CHEM 329, 324, Organic Chemistry, in place of CHEM 223, 224.
(See School of Medicine.)
Biochemistry (BIOC)
BIOC 301. Biochemistry (3).
Consideration of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in relation to metabolism and nutrition. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Limited to students of dentistry and nutrition.
BIOC 307. General Biochemistry (4).
Protein structure; enzyme mechanisms, kinetics and regulation; bioenergetics; photosynthesis; nitrogen fixation; structure and metabolism of nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids; metabolic regulation; action of hormones; muscle contraction; neurotransmission. Prerequisite: CHEM 223, 224 or equivalent.
BIOC 312. Physical Properties of Macromolecules (3).
Examination of the techniques used to study the physical properties of nucleic acids and soluble and membrane-bound proteins and glycoproteins. Prerequisite: BIOC 307 or equivalent, one year of physical chemistry.
BIOC 314. Laboratory in Physical and Chemical Properties of Biological Macromolelules (2).
Laboratory in data analysis derived from methods used in examining the structure and function of biological macromolecules. Topic selected from sedimentation velocity and equilibrium, viscometry, kight scattering, circular dichroism, flourescence quenching, flourescense energy transfer, x-ray crystallography, NMR methods, molecular graphics, and structure stimulation. Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOC/BIOL 334/434 or BIOC/BIOL 412
BIOC 320. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer (3).
Cancer and the cell cycle; oncogenesis; chemical carcinogenesis; DNA repair; immunology of cancel chemotherapy; metastases; DNA tumor viruses.
BIOC 333. Genes and Genetic Engineer-ing (4).
Synthesis of nucleotides; mechanism and control of DNA, RNA, and protein biosynthesis; recombinant DNA; mRNA processing and modification; effects of hemin or interferon treatment on protein synthesis. Where possible, eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems are analyzed for similarities and differences. Current literature is discussed briefly as an introduction to current techniques and methodologies in genetic engineering. Prerequisite: BIOC 307, BIOL 205, or equivalent.
BIOC 334. Protein and Enzymes (3).
Protein and enzyme structure, mechanism, and kinetics; allosterism; role of coenzymes and metal ions; principles of methodology. Prerequisite: BIOC 307, BIOL 205, or equivalent.
BIOC 371. Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar (1).
Discussion of selected topics of current interest based on appropriate literature. Prerequisite: BIOC 307, BIOC 333, or equivalent. Offered on pass/fail basis only.
BIOC 372. Undergraduate Biochemistry Seminar (1).
Discussion of selected topics of current interest based on appropriate literature. Prerequisite: BIOC 307, BIOC 333, or equivalent. Offered on pass/fail basis only.
BIOC 391. Research (credit as arranged).
Prerequisite consent of instructor. Offered on a pass/fail basis only. Maximum 9 hours total credit.
(See School of Medicine.)
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