The Biochemistry Concentration
Concentration coordinator: Joe Chihade

Introduction:
The biochemistry program at Carleton rests on the close cooperation between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. Emerging as a recognized discipline early in the last century, biochemistry has grown into a vast subject that spans several established disciplines. It serves as the link between the fields of chemistry and biology, and even as it flourishes at the interface of these subjects, it holds a strong position within the two traditional disciplines. Fundamentally, biochemistry seeks to establish an understanding of biological phenomena at a molecular level.

Requirements for the Concentration:
The biochemistry concentration requirements reflect the fundamental importance of the intellectual tools and structures of biology and chemistry to the study of all issues in biochemistry, and we ask students to get a grounding in both disciplines. It is likely that many students enrolling in the concentration will major in either biology or chemistry. To encourage breadth within the concentration, no more than five six-credit courses from a student’s own major may be counted toward the minimum requirements of the concentration.

Both the biology and chemistry departments maintain vigorous weekly seminar programs, regularly bringing to the college distinguished scientists, including many biochemists. Each concentrator should make it a priority to attend relevant seminars whenever possible.

Seminar Links: Biology Seminars, Chemistry Seminars

Finally, both the chemistry and biology departments regularly offer integrative exercise experiences in biochemistry as an option for their majors. Concentrators who are biology or chemistry majors have the option of furthering their pursuit of biochemistry through a biochemical topic as the basis for their senior integrative exercise

Required Courses:

Credits	Course Number	Description
6	BIOL 125	Genes, Evolution, and Development
6	BIOL 126	Energy Flow in Biological Systems
6	BIOL 380	Biochemistry
2	BIOL 381 or CHEM 321	Biochemistry Laboratory Biological Chemistry Laboratory
6	CHEM 123 or 128	Principles of Chemistry or Principles of Enviornmental Chemistry
6	CHEM 230	Equilibrium and Analysis
6	CHEM 233	Organic Chemistry I
6	CHEM 234	Organic Chemistry II
6	CHEM 320	Biological Chemistry

Upper Level Course Electives (one course and one 2-credit laboratory required):

Credits	Course Number	Description
6	BIOL 310	Immunology
2	BIOL 311	Immunology Laboratory
6	BIOL 382	Molecular Biology
2	BIOL 383	Molecular Biology Laboratory
6	BIOL 384	Oncogenes and the Molecular Biology of Cancer
6	CHEM 343	Chemical Thermodynamics
2	CHEM 305	Advanced Laboratory II: Chemical Kinetics
6	CHEM 350	Chemical And Biosynthesis

Other Relevant Courses:
The college offers a number of related courses that would enhance the background of a biochemistry concentrator. The following courses are not part of the concentration, but do support the program. In particular, we strongly encourage interested students to enroll in BIOL 240, Genetics.

Credits	Course Number	Description
6	BIOL 234	Microbiology
2	BIOL 235	Microbiology Laboratory
6	BIOL 240	Genetics
2	BIOL 241	Genetics Lab
6	BIOL 280	Cell Biology
2	BIOL 281	Cell Biology Lab
6	PSYC 318	Psychopharmacology

If you have questions about the Biochemistry Concentration and how it will fit into your program at Carleton College, please contact the Concentration Coordinator: Joe Chihade, Mudd 170, x 7446.