Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Programs
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at the University of Iowa offers an excellent undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor's degree. For detailed information regarding the Undergraduate Program, please see the current Undergraduate Student Handbook.
The University of Iowa’s General Catalog is also a great resource for a complete description of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors. Four-year graduation plans are available for both degrees as well.
Iowa’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is focused on students as individuals and is designed to develop creative researchers, effective physicians and health professionals, and superb teachers. Students acquire a thorough and diverse background in contemporary biochemistry, utilize excellent research facilities, and are taught by a research-oriented faculty. All students have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one research with faculty members.
Bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are conferred through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (CLAS). Students majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology must therefore satisfy the general course requirements and grade point minima, as well as the requirements for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major.
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Offers Two Bachelors Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)*: The BA degree provides a rigorous education in biochemical concepts and practice in the laboratory while allowing the flexibility to specialize in additional disciplines or obtain clinical volunteer experiences. The BA degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is intended for most students including those with pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-dental and other pre-health professional interests and for students with double majors. This degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 58 s.h. of work for the major.
Bachelor of Science (BS): The BS degree is intended primarily for students planning a career in research, including those with a long-term goal of attending graduate school (PhD, MS or MD/PhD) or obtaining a job as a research technician. The BS degree requires twelve additional semester hours of science and laboratory electives. This degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 70-72 s.h. of work for the major.
*All first year students in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will start in the BA degree program. Students who desire to can switch to BS degree after completing one semester of organic chemistry (CHEM:2230 or CHEM:2210).
Students can obtain honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in either degree program.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Course Requirements:
In addition to the CLAS general course requirements, the following science coursework is required for a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Additional specific requirements for BA and BS degrees are included as well.
| Required Courses | Total s.h. | BA Total s.h. | BS Total s.h. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for Bachelors Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | ||||
| Biochemistry | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I (BMB 3120) and II (BMB 3130), and Experimental Biochemistry (BMB 3140) | 8 | ||
| Biology | Foundations of Biology (BIOL 1411) and Diversity of Form and Function (BIOL 1412) | 8 | ||
| Chemistry | Principles of Chemistry I (CHEM 1110) and II (CHEM 1120) | 8 | ||
| Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 2210) or Organic Chemistry I for Majors (CHEM 2230) | 3 | ||
| Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 2220) or Organic Chemistry II for Majors (CHEM 2240) | 3 | |||
| Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 2410) or Organic Chemistry II for Majors (CHEM 2420) | 3 | |||
| Mathematics | Calculus I (MATH 1850) or Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus (MATH 1550) or Calculus for the Biological Sciences (MATH 1460) | 4 | ||
| Calculus II (MATH 1860) or Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calcululs (MATH 1560) or Biostatistics (STAT 3510) or Introduction to Biostatistics (BIOS 4120) | 3-4 | |||
| Physics | College Physics I (PHYS 1511) or Introductory Physics I (PHYS 1611) | 4 | ||
| College Physics II (PHYS 1512) or Introductory Physics II (PHYS 1612) | 4 | |||
| Additional Course Requirements Specific for BA and BS Degrees | ||||
| Advanced Biochemistry | Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry (BMB 4240) | 3 | 3 | |
| Advanced Chemistry | Principles of Physical Chemistry (CHEM 4430) or Chemical Thermodynamics I (CHEM 4431) or Quantum Mechanics & Chemical Kinetics (CHEM 4432) | - | - | 3 |
| Advanced Science Electives | Many courses satisfy the Advanced Science Electives requirement | - | 6 | 9 |
| Research or Advanced Labs | Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research (BMB 4999) or Advanced Laboratory Courses | - | - | 6 |
| Research Seminar | Development of Senior Research Project (BMB 3150) is a prerequisite for BMB 4999 | - | - | 2* |
*BMB 3150 is required for students taking BMB 4999 but not required for BS students taking advanced lab courses.
Undergraduate courses taught in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology include:
- BMB 3110 Biochemistry
- For non-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors; taught as a live course in the Fall and an online extension course in the Spring and Summer
- BMB 3120 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I
- Required for both the BS and BA degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BMB 3130 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology II
- Required for both the BS and BA degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BMB 3140 Experimental Biochemistry
- Required for both the BS and BA degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- BMB 3150 Development of Senior Research Project
- Prerequisite for BMB:4999
- BMB 3310 Practical Data Science & Bioinformatics
- Advanced Biochemistry course that is an immersive introduction to computational methods to access and analyze large biological data sets. Can be used to fulfill Advanced Science Electives for BS and BA degrees.
- BMB 3800 Biochemistry Teaching Practicum
- Independent study teaching practicum to train qualified junior or senior undergraduates majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or related field
- BMB:3993 Undergraduate Biochemistry Research
- Directed research with a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology faculty member. Serves as preparation for BMB:4999
- BMB:4240 Biophysics and Advanced Biochemistry
- Advanced biochemistry focusing on principles and experimental approaches used to study macromolecule structure, stability, and function.
- BMB:4310 Computational Biochemistry
- Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology course focused on biomolecular modeling, computer simulation techniques and biomolecular structure. Can be used to fulfill Advanced Science Electives for BS and BA degrees.
- BMB:4999 Advanced Undergraduate Biochemistry Research
- Advanced directed research with a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology faculty member. Required to graduate with honors.
For information about the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's regression policy, please click here.