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 | (34-35) | |
| BIOL 100 | Intro to Profession | 2 |
| BIOL 107 | General Biol Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 109 | General Biology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 115 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 117 | Human Biology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 210 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 214 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 401 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 445 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 455 | Macromolecular Techniques | 3 |
| BIOL 451 | Biological Literature | 2-3 |
| or CHEM 451 | Undergraduate Seminar | |
| BIOL 495 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| Select three credit hours from the following courses: | 3 | |
| Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 | |
| Animal Physiology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Cell Biology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Chemistry Requirements | (22) | |
| CHEM 124 | Princ of Chemistry I with Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Prin of Chemistry II w/Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 239 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 247 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 343 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 485 | Chemistry Colloquium | 1 |
| Physics Requirements | (11-12) | |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | Gen Physics II: Elect&Magntism | 4 |
| PHYS 223 | General Physics III | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 224 | Gen Physics III for Engnrs | |
| Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics Electives | (6) | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Macromolecular Structure | 3 | |
| Physical Biochemistry | 3 | |
| Chemical Statistical Thermo | 3 | |
| Thermodynmics&Statistical Phys | 3 | |
or PHYS 410 | Molecular Biophysics | |
| Bio-Nanotechnology | 3 | |
| Technical Electives | (6) | |
| Select a minimum of six credit hours from any 300-level or above Biology, Chemistry, or Physics class, or other approved class. | 6 | |
| Mathematics Requirements | (21) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate & Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Diff Equations | 4 |
| MATH 425 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 104 | Intro to Comp Prgrm for Engrs | 2 |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Interprofessional Projects | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 129-131 | |
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 |
| BIOL 214 | 3 | BIOL 210 | 3 |
| CHEM 237 | 4 | CHEM 239 | 3 |
| CS 104 | 2 | MATH 251 | 4 |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | PHYS 221 | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 401 | 3 | BIOL 402 | 3 |
| CHEM 247 | 3 | BIOL 495 | 1 |
| MATH 252 | 4 | CHEM 343 | 3 |
| PHYS 223 or 224 | 3-4 | Technical Elective1 | 3 |
| IPRO Elective I | 3 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | ||
| 16-17 | 16 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 445 | 3 | BIOL 451 or CHEM 451 | 2-3 |
| BIOL 455 | 3 | Biology Laboratory Elective3 | 3 |
| CHEM 485 | 1 | MATH 425 | 3 |
| MBB Elective2 | 3 | MBB Elective2 | 3 |
| Technical Elective1 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 17-18 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 129-131 | |||
| 1 | Choose from any BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS 300-level or above approved course. |
| 2 | Students may select from the following courses: BIOL 555; CHEM 538; CHEM 553; PHYS 410 or PHYS 304; or PHYS 420. |
| 3 | Students may select from the following courses: BIOL 404, BIOL 431, or BIOL 446. |
