Towson University Home Page
My TU Directory Calendars Marketplace Library Maps
Search
About TU Academics Research Admissions Life@TU Arts and Culture Athletics Outreach Support TU


MOLECULAR BIOLOGY•BIOCHEMISTRY•BIOINFORMATICS

Course Requirements

The Program

Molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics are disciplines that have arisen at the interfaces of biology, chemistry, and computer sciences.  They have come to play a crucial role in virtually all areas of the life sciences, and in particular the applied discipline of biotechnology.  The Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics Program offers a solid undergraduate preparation for graduate studies or direct entry into the workforce in the following areas: biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, or molecular biology.  The curriculum also provides a very good preparation for students interested in medical or dental school. There are three tracks within the major allowing students to emphasize molecular biology, biochemistry, or bioinformatics.  Molecular biology examines the molecular basis of life, using molecular approaches to understand the processes of living systems, and has applications to virtually all areas of biology.  Biochemistry, also examines the molecules of living systems, with an emphasis on the chemical structure and reactivity that shape biological function.  Bioinformatics is a very new discipline and involves combining the study of the molecular basis of life with the study of computer science.  It is a discipline at the interface of the two great revolutions of modern technology.  All three tracks are interdisciplinary in their approach and include lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses that emphasize the practical application of discipline based knowledge.  Students need not make a decision as to which track they will follow immediately upon entering the program, and may elect to choose a track after completing many of the core courses common to all three tracks.

Requirements for the major

All students are required to complete 31 units of common core courses in the Biology, Chemistry, and Computer Sciences Departments, and an additional 35-41 units within one of the three tracks.

Core Courses for the Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics Major (31 units)
BIOL 201 Cellular Biology and Genetics 4 units
BIOL 309 Genetics 4 units
BIOL 409 Molecular Biology 3 units
BIOL 485 Seminar in Applied Molecular Biologyy 1 unit
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 4 units
CHEM 111 General Chemistry II 4 units
CHEM 351 Introductory Biochemistry 3 units
MBBB 301 Introduction to Bioinformatics 4 units
MBBB 493 Seminar in Bioethics 1 unit
BIOL 491
     or
CHEM 491
     or
COSC 495 		Independent Research in Biology

Introduction to Research in Chemistry

Independent Study in Computer Science		 3 units

 

Additional Courses Required for the Molecular Biology Track (35-39 units)
BIOL 202 Evolution and Ecology 4 units
BIOL 408 Cell Biology 4 units
BIOL 312
     or
BIOL 410		 Genetics Laboratory

Molecular Biology Laboratory		 2 units
CHEM 210 Analytical Chemistry 4 units
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I 5 units
CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II 5 units
PHYS 211 and 212
     or
PHYS 203 *

General Physics I and II

Topics in Physics for Biology Majors *

5 * or 8 units
MATH 211
     or
MATH 237
     or
MATH 273 * 		Calculus for Applications

Elementary Biostatistics

Calculus I * 		3 or 4 * units
  Approved Biology, Chemistry or Computer Science Upper Division Elective Course 3 units
* Note: Many graduate and professional programs require two semesters calculus and/or physics. Students who are contemplating education beyond the undergraduate level (graduate school, medical school, etc.) need to talk with an advisor.

 

Additional Courses Required for the Biochemistry Track
(39-40 units)
CHEM 210 Principles and Methods of Chemical Analysis 4 units
CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I 5 units
CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II 5 units
CHEM 345 Physical Chemistry 3 units
CHEM 356 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 units
CHEM 357 Biochemistry II 3 units
CHEM 372 Intermediate Laboratory I 1 unit
MATH 273 Calculus I 4 units
MATH 274 Calculus II 4 units
PHYS 211 and 212
     or
PHYS 241 and 242 		General Physics I and II, Non-Calculus Based

General Physics I and II, Calculus Based		 8 units

 

Additional Courses Required for the Bioinformatics Track
(38-43 units)
CIS 458 Database Management Systems 3 units
COSC 236 Introduction to Computer Science I 4 units
COSC 237 Introduction to Computer Science II 4 units
COSC 336 Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis 4 units
CHEM 331 and 332
     or
CHEM 330 ** 		Organic Chemistry I and II

Essentials of Organic Chemistry ** 		5 ** or 10 units
MATH 263 Discrete Mathematics 3 units
MATH 273 Calculus I 4 units
MATH 274 Calculus II 4 units
MATH 330 Introduction to Statistical Methods 4 units
MBBB 401 Advanced Bioinformatics 3 units

** Note: Many graduate and professional programs require two semesters of organic chemistry. Students who are contemplating education beyond the undergraduate level (graduate school, medical school, etc.) need to talk with an advisor.

 

Core Courses for the Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics Minor (27-28 units)
CHEM 110 General Chemistry I 4 units
CHEM 111 General Chemistry II 4 units
BIOL 201 Cellular Biology and Genetics 4 units
CHEM 330* Essentials of Organic Chemistry 5 units
BIOL 309 Genetics 4 units
and any two of the following three courses:
BIOL 409 Molecular Biology 3 units
CHEM 351 Introductory Biochemistry 3 units
MBBB 301 Introduction to Bioinformatics 4 units

** Note: Many graduate and professional programs require two semesters of organic chemistry. Students who are contemplating education beyond the undergraduate level (graduate school, medical school, etc.) need to talk with an advisor.

*** To see when these courses are available, please click here. ***


The Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics (MB3) Program
Smith Hall, Room 360
Phone: 410 704 3491
Fax: 410 704 3490
email: MB3@towson.edu
 
 

 

  
   © 2008 • Towson University Last Updated: Tuesday, February 06, 2007   
   Towson University • 8000 York Road • Towson, Maryland • 21252-0001 • 410-704-2000 Copyright Information | Privacy Statement | Contact Us