Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics
Why should a biologist know about physics and chemistry? Why should physicists and chemists know about biology? Just ask some of Illinois Institute of Technology’s faculty who are using x-ray synchrotron radiation science to study proteins and their molecular structures. This research may lead to the important advances in understanding the causes of a number of diseases.
Molecular biochemistry and biophysics (MBB) is an interdisciplinary major, combining studies in biology, chemistry, and physics. Its objectives are to give students solid training in the areas of modern cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry while also providing a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences. In this way the MBB degree will provide each student with the skills needed to succeed as a professional in biology as the field becomes increasingly dependent on new technologies.
Through this curriculum, students will discover the essential building blocks of life, how they fit together, how they work, and the physical methods for exploring them. With its quantitative emphasis encompassing all the sciences, this program is a great way to prepare for careers in medicine or medical research. It is also one of the majors that is part of the honors medical programs with Rush University.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Requirements | (40) | |
| BIOL 100 | Introduction to the Profession | 2 |
| BIOL 107 | General Biology Lectures | 3 |
| BIOL 109 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 115 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 117 | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 210 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 214 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 225 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 401 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 404 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| BIOL 430 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 431 | Animal Physiology Laboratory | 3 |
| or BIOL 446 | Cell Biology Laboratory | |
| or BIOL 491 | Biology Research Project | |
| BIOL 445 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 451 | Biological Literature | 2 |
| BIOL 495 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| BIOL 495 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| Chemistry Requirements | (24-26) | |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 239 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 247 | Analytical Chemistry | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 300 | Instrumentation Laboratory | |
| CHEM 343 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 344 | Physical Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 348 | Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers | |
| Physics Requirements | (15) | |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 | General Physics III | 4 |
| PHYS 410 | Molecular Biophysics | 3 |
| Mathematics Requirements | (20-21) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 240 | Computational Science | |
| MATH 425 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 104 | Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers | 2 |
| or CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | |
| or CS 110 | Computing Principles | |
| or CS 115 | Object-Oriented Programming I | |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects | (6) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 128-131 | |
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 100 | 2 | BIOL 115 | 3 |
| BIOL 107 | 3 | BIOL 117 | 1 |
| BIOL 109 | 1 | CHEM 125 | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | 4 | MATH 152 | 5 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | Humanities 200-level Course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | PHYS 221 | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | 4 | CHEM 239 | 3 |
| BIOL 214 | 3 | BIOL 210 | 3 |
| MATH 251 | 4 | BIOL 225 | 2 |
| CS 104, 105, 110, or 115 | 2 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 18 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 445 | 3 | BIOL 430 | 3 |
| PHYS 223 | 4 | PHYS 240 or MATH 252 | 3-4 |
| CHEM 247 or PHYS 300 | 3-4 | PHYS 348 or CHEM 344 | 3-4 |
| CHEM 343 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16-17 | 15-17 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 401 | 3 | BIOL 402 | 3 |
| BIOL 404 | 3 | BIOL 451 | 2 |
| PHYS 410 | 3 | BIOL 495 | 1 |
| BIOL 431, 446, or 491 | 3 | MATH 425 | 3 |
| BIOL 495 | 1 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 128-131 | |||
