Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology
Established in 1978, the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology program was the first undergraduate program of its kind. Chemical biology is the application of chemistry to the understanding and utilization of biological phenomena. Chemical biology represents an approach to understanding biology through the underlying chemical interactions of biological macromolecules and provides students with the essential tools to reveal the logic of how biological systems operate as well as engineer changes in those systems.
Program Description
The program offers a complete education in chemistry with additional mathematics and physics training to ensure a solid foundation in quantitative physical sciences. It also includes a set of biology courses that introduce the key elements of cellular, molecular, and physiological biology. It launches students into careers in chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, forensic science, medicine, or biology. With this degree program, students gain the training necessary for admission to professional schools in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other health professions as well as graduate school.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology program can be certified in Chemistry by the American Chemical Society (ACS) if CH 412 Inorganic Chemistry is taken as a general or technical elective during the program.
Concentrations
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Bioinformatics
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Bioanalytical Chemistry
Program Objectives and Outcomes
The objectives of the chemistry program are to prepare students such that, within several years of graduation, they will:
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Be able to create and evaluate scientific solutions to important chemical, biotechnology, healthcare, and environmental problems and articulate their anticipated societal impact.
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Be able to work collaboratively with peers from a variety of cultural and scientific backgrounds and to promote an inclusive and supportive professional environment.
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Become life-long learners from the perspectives of furthering career advancement, embracing technology, and generating societal impact.
Student Objectives and Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of chemistry, biology, math, physics and computational methods to investigate and evaluate problems in chemical and biological systems to create innovative solutions (Scientific Foundations)
- Apply modern techniques in biology and chemistry to characterize the structure and function of molecules to explain and predict biological, chemical, and physical properties and their impact on biochemical systems (Technical Foundations)
- Employ an inquiry-based approach to science to form and articulate testable hypothesis, to design and conduct experiments with current chemical and biological techniques particularly in the context of human health and the conservation of the environment (Experimentation)
- Examine, analyze, and critique primary chemical and biological literature (Critical Thinking)
- Communicate and articulate scientific ideas effectively both in writing and orally (Scientific communication)
- Work effectively as a leader or member of a multidisciplinary team creating an inclusive and supportive environment (Teamwork, Leadership, and Inclusiveness)
- Conduct basic and applied scientific research in an ethical and professional manner (Professionalism)
- Develop innovative ideas using knowledge in chemical and biological sciences for societal impact (Innovation)
- Recognize the impact of chemical and biological research in our society, and understand how policy decisions are shaped by new scientific discoveries (Societal Issues)
Chemical Biology Curriculum
Term I
| BIO 181 | Biology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIO 182 | Introductory Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| CAL 103 | Writing and Communications Colloquium | 3 |
| CH 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 117 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CH 179 | Career Pathways in Chemical and Biological Sciences | 1 |
| MA 121 | Differential Calculus | 2 |
| MA 122 | Integral Calculus | 2 |
Term II
| BIO 291 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CAL 105 | CAL Colloquium: Knowledge, Nature, Culture | 3 |
| CH 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 118 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CH 189 | Seminar in Chemistry and Biology | 1 |
| MA 125 | Vectors and Matrices | 2 |
| MA 126 | Multivariable Calculus I | 2 |
Term III
Term IV
| CH 244 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 246 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CH 321 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| | | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3 |
| | Or | |
| CS 115 | Introduction to Computer Science | 4 |
| | | |
| PEP 112 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PEP 221 | Physics Lab I for Scientists | 1 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term V
| BIO 484 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| CH 362 | Instrumental Analysis I - Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 4 |
| CH 580 | Biochemistry I - Cellular Metabolism and Regulation | 3 |
| MGT 103 | Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking | 2 |
| PEP 222 | Physics Lab II for Scientists | 1 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VI
| | | |
| BT 243 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| | Or | |
| BT 244 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| | | |
| BIO 398/CH 398 | Research Proposals for Undergraduate Research | 1 |
| CH 421 | Chemical Dynamics | 4 |
| CH 461 | Instrumental Analysis II - Electrochemistry | 4 |
| CH 581 | Biochemistry II: Biomolecular Structure and Function | 3 |
Term VII
Term VIII
| CH 499/BIO 499 | Senior Capstone Research Project II | 3 |
| CH 582 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| IDE 402 | Senior Innovation III: Venture Planning and Pitch | 1 |
| G.E. | General Elective | 3 |
| T.E. | Technical Elective | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Notes:
(1) Inorganic Chemistry, CH 412, is required if you wish to pursue ACS certification and is only offered in Spring semester. If you are interested, it can be taken in Term V or Term VII. It can be used to fulfill a general elective or technical elective in addition to the ACS certification.
2) Technical Electives can be selected from available CH and BIO 300, 400, and 500- level courses that are not already included in your degree program requirements. Suggested technical electives for the Chemical Biology program include the following:
- BIO 307, BIO 392, BIO 485, BIO 487, BIO 507, BIO 508, BIO 526, BIO 586, BIO 584, CH 412, CH 520, CH 550, CH 574, BME 504, BME 505, BME 515, BME 561, CHE 560, MT 581, CS 544, PME 530/CHE 530, BME 508 /MT 508.
- Whichever of BIO 568 and BIO 583 you choose as a core course, the other may be chosen as a Technical Elective.
If you are interested in a taking a course related to biology of chemistry in another department not on this list, please contact your academic advisor.
(3) General Electives can be selected from available courses offered by programs in SES, SSE, SOB and HASS (including CH/BIO courses). Approval from the student’s advisor and the course instructor may be required.
- Recommended general elective if planning to pursue an engineering master's would be: MA 221 Differential Equations.
- Recommended general elective courses connected to the major include: EN 250 Quantitative Biology and PEP 242 Modern Physics.
(4) Humanities: Please see Humanities Requirements for specific requirements.
Bioinformatics Concentration Curriculum
New and powerful techniques have been developed for determining the structures of biological molecules and manipulating biomolecular sequences which results in large amounts of data. Bioinformatics makes use of mathematical and computer science techniques to process this data so it can be used for further scientific advances. The Stevens Bioinformatics track is built on the foundations of chemical biology. Students elect CS 115 as an introduction to computing in the freshman year in place of CS 105. After the first two years in the Chemical Biology Program, the Bioinformatics student begins replacing certain electives with computer science courses. The Bioinformatics track concentrates on giving students the ability to contribute to building the software and analytical infrastructure of the field.
Term V
| CH 362 | Instrumental Analysis I - Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 4 |
| CH 580 | Biochemistry I - Cellular Metabolism and Regulation | 3 |
| CS 135 | Discrete Structures | 4 |
| CS 284 | Data Structures | 4 |
| MGT 103 | Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking | 2 |
| PEP 222 | Physics Lab II for Scientists | 1 |
Term VI
| | | |
| BT 243 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| | Or | |
| BT 244 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| | | |
| CH 398/BIO 398 | Research Proposals for Undergraduate Research | 1 |
| CH 421 | Chemical Dynamics | 4 |
| CH 461 | Instrumental Analysis II - Electrochemistry | 4 |
| CH 581 | Biochemistry II: Biomolecular Structure and Function | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VII
Term VIII
Notes:
The Bioinformatics Concentration requires
CS 115 in place of
CS 105.
For
CS 284:
CS 115 must have been chosen in Term IV.
Bioanalytical Chemistry Concentration Curriculum
Biological systems are characterized by presence of large, complex biological molecules arrayed as collections of genes, transcripts, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and associated metabolites. Whereas a comprehensive chemical definition of biological systems was once beyond the realm of possibility, we can now envision the treatment of biological cells, tissues, and even complete organisms in terms of their chemical composition and interactions. Bioanalytical chemistry comprises the techniques and instrumentation necessary to separate and analyze the chemical composition of biological systems. Bioanalytical chemists have already made tremendous contributions in the areas of genomics, gene expression analysis, and disease gene/protein identification, as well as drug discovery and forensic science. In addition to further contributions in these fields, bioanalytical chemists will be increasingly needed to improve the practice of medicine through chemically- defined diseases states, and to protect our general public through surveillance for illicit drugs, explosives, and pathogens. The track in bioanalytical chemistry is built on the foundations of chemical biology. After the first two years in the regular chemical biology program, the bioanalytical chemistry student begins concentrating on analytical techniques relevant to biological macromolecules such as mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance imaging, flow cytometry, and genome and transcriptome array analysis.
Term V
| BIO 484 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| CH 362 | Instrumental Analysis I - Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 4 |
| CH 580 | Biochemistry I - Cellular Metabolism and Regulation | 3 |
| MGT 103 | Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinking | 2 |
| PEP 222 | Physics Lab II for Scientists | 1 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VI
| | | |
| BT 243 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| | Or | |
| BT 244 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| | | |
| CH 398/BIO 398 | Research Proposals for Undergraduate Research | 1 |
| CH 421 | Chemical Dynamics | 4 |
| CH 461 | Instrumental Analysis II - Electrochemistry | 4 |
| CH 581 | Biochemistry II: Biomolecular Structure and Function | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Term VII
Term VIII
| CH 412 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CH 499/BIO 499 | Senior Capstone Research Project II | 3 |
| CH 582 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 662 | Separation Methods in Analytical and Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| IDE 402 | Senior Innovation III: Venture Planning and Pitch | 1 |
| HUM | Humanities | 3 |
Note:
CH 662, CH 666, and CH 660: Requires advisor’ approval before registering.