Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Major

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The biochemistry/molecular biology major is an interdepartmental major offered by the biology and chemistry departments that provides students with a strong background in chemistry and biology with an emphasis on molecular aspects. Through selected electives, students may concentrate on specific areas of interest. Students have excellent opportunities within the departments of biology and chemistry to engage in independent research projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue employment in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological laboratories, and further study in the health professions or graduate research institutions. Note that biochemistry/molecular biology majors may not double major, or minor, in biology or chemistry. To declare this major, a student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA in at least two (2) of the courses taken at Rollins listed in the major requirements. At least seven (7) courses required for the Biochemistry/Molecular Biology major must be taken at Rollins College or as part of a Rollins sanctioned program.

Major Requirements

Nine (9) core courses and an additional 18 semester hours of elective course credit are required. At least seven (7) courses must be at the 300-400 level. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive standardized examination is required of all majors.

Core Courses

Biology

Chemistry

Biochemistry

Electives

Minimum eighteen (18) semester credit hours, comprising at least four courses, chosen from the following list. At least two of these electives must be courses with a lab. A minimum of six (6) credits each must bear the CHM and BIO prefixes.

Recommendations

Students preparing for graduate programs in biology or professional schools, in health-related areas such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy, need a thorough introduction to physics and possibly calculus. Therefore, they should take PHY 120 and PHY 121 or PHY 131 and (a) calculus course(s). Students contemplating careers and graduate study in biochemistry or pharmaceutical chemistry should include PHY 120 and PHY 121 or PHY 131 , MAT 111 and MAT 112 , and a full year of physical chemistry – CHM 305 and CHM 306 .