Cell Biology/Biochemistry

Coordinating Committee: Mitchell I. Chernin, Charles H. Clapp, Kenneth A. Field, Matthew B. Heintzelman, Kathleen Page (Director), Marie C. Pizzorno, David S. Rovnyak, James S. Swan

Other Participating Faculty: Dee Ann Casteel, Julie A. Gates, Leocadia V. Paliulis, Emily L. Stowe-Evans, Timothy G. Strein, Brian W. Williams

Developed jointly by the biology and chemistry departments, the major in cell biology and biochemistry at Bucknell is interdisciplinary in nature. The bachelor of science major is designed for students who are interested in understanding living organisms at the cellular and molecular level. This course of study will provide strong foundations in both biology and chemistry and will offer the student both the intellectual and the laboratory skills to grapple with questions at the interface of these two disciplines. In addition to a rigorous scientific education, this program enables students to gain a strong background in the liberal arts and to think critically about the impact of biotechnology on social and ethical issues.

The major in cell biology/biochemistry will focus on subdisciplines within biology and chemistry such as immunology, genetic engineering, nucleic acids, biomembrane function, cell biology of cancer, and enzymology. This program strongly emphasizes independent student research, including both seminar programs and hands-on research. A major in cell biology/biochemistry offers students an excellent preparation for careers in biotechnology, biomedical technology, medicine, pharmacology and bioengineering. It also is an excellent foundation for students preparing for entrance into Ph.D. programs in cell and molecular biology or biochemistry or Ph.D./M.D. programs in medically related fields.

The major requires five courses within the biology department (BIOL 205, 206, 207, 327, and 352) and six courses within the chemistry department (CHEM 211, 212, 221, 231, 340 or 341, and 351).

Additionally, an interdepartmental Biochemical Methods course (BIOL 340/CHEM 358) is required as are three electives chosen from the following list: BIOL 302, 316, 318, 322, 323, 324, 326, 328, 329, 331, 339, 343, 347, 348, 365, 399; CHEM 313, 314, 317, 322, 332, 342, 352, 360, 375, 376, PSYC 250 and PSYC 343. At least one of these biology or chemistry electives must be a laboratory course. One full credit of a research course (BIOL 399, CHEM 375, 376, or 403) may be counted as an elective toward the major. Two semesters of physics (PHYS 211 and PHYS 212) and two semesters of calculus (MATH 201 and 202) are required. A course selected from the following list of related humanities and social science courses also will be completed: HIST 170, 171, 270, 271, 272, 273, 279, 370; PHIL 218, 220, 235, 272; RELI 240; SOCI 130; UNIV 245 or selected courses with permission of the program director.

The recommended sequence for the bachelor of science major is as follows:

First Year	First Semester: BIOL 205; CHEM 211; MATH 201 Second Semester: BIOL 206; CHEM 212; MATH 202
Sophomore Year	First Semester: BIOL 207; CHEM 221 Second Semester: BIOL 327; CHEM 231
Junior Year	First Semester: BIOL 352; CHEM 351; PHYS 211 Second Semester: BIOL 340/CHEM 358; PHYS 212; Elective in biology or chemistry
Senior Year	First Semester: CHEM 341 or elective in biology or chemistry Second Semester: CHEM 340 or elective in biology or chemistry; Elective in biology or chemistry