COURSE CURRICULUM

The Chemical Biology major is an interdisciplinary program that integrates advanced chemistry and biological sciences to study living systems at the molecular level and apply this knowledge to areas such as medicine, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research. The curriculum is built on a strong chemistry foundation, including core courses in general chemistry (CHEM 403, CHEM 404), organic chemistry with laboratory components (CHEM 547/549 and CHEM 548/550), chemical measurement science (CHEM 517), and broader chemical principles such as inorganic chemistry across the periodic table (CHEM 574) and physical chemistry (CHEM 683 or CHEM 684). Students also complete advanced laboratory training through courses in instrumentation, experimental inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry labs, which develop hands-on skills in analysis, synthesis, and experimental design. In addition, mathematics and physics requirements (Calculus I and II, General Physics I and II) ensure students have the quantitative and physical science background needed to model and understand chemical and biological systems. The program then shifts into the biological dimension through required coursework in molecular and cellular biology (BIOL 411) and biochemistry (BMCB 751 and BMCB 752), which provide the foundation for understanding how chemical processes operate within living organisms. A key highlight is CHEM 740 Chemical Biology and its associated laboratory (CHEM 741), where students directly apply chemistry to biological systems. To deepen specialization, students choose electives from areas such as microbiology, cell biology, genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry of disease, protein structure, biomaterials, and biochemical engineering, allowing flexibility to focus on medical, research, or industrial applications. The program concludes with a capstone experience through CHEM 798 Senior Seminar and CHEM 799 Senior Thesis or an approved research alternative, emphasizing independent scientific investigation, critical thinking, and communication skills. Overall, the degree prepares students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare research, and graduate or professional studies in biomedical sciences.