生物化学

概述

生物化学 explores the cell's molecular components 和 the chemical changes characteristic of living organisms. A thorough foundation in both biology 和 chemistry forms the core of biochemistry. Occidental's biochemists seek to use their scientific knowledge 和 broad education in the liberal arts to advance the public good 和 improve health care, 经济机会, 环境管理, 国家安全, as well as exp和ing human underst和ing through their teaching 和 research.

生物化学专业的核心部分包括 生物130这两节生物化学课 生物349 和 化学350，以及生物化学高级研讨会， BICH 490. Classroom activities are supplemented by extensive laboratory experience involving the design, 执行, 以及对实验结果的解释. 生物化学 graduates generally elect to pursue graduate training toward a Ph.D. 在生物化学或细胞和分子生物学领域, 卫生专业的博士学位, 生物技术领域的就业, 或者从事教育事业. 计划攻读博士学位的学生.D. are advised to take several more courses including the advanced Cell 和 Molecular offerings in Biology, 以及高级化学课程, 拓宽他们的教育. 生物化学 students are strongly encouraged to pursue their particular interests through an independent study-research project (生物395 or 化学395). The 生物化学 program is eager to accommodate the foreign study aspirations of its majors; however, 由于课程的顺序性, 周密的事先计划是必要的.

Students wishing to declare the 生物化学 major should have completed two Biology 和 two Chemistry classes with at least a 2.7 GPA in these classes 和 arrange for the discussion of their schedule with one of the Program's advisors.

需求

主要

生物学组件

学生必须完成以下五门课程:

化学成分

数学组件

学生必须修读以下两门课程:

物理组件

高级研讨会

学生将报名参加 BICH 490 (2个单元).

专业荣誉

In addition to the requirements for College honors (see the 奖励部分), the student will successfully defend a written thesis based upon the outcome of his or her laboratory research effort as an undergraduate as detailed below.

大学生物化学荣誉指南

需求

• Students typically will have worked on a research project for at least 2 semesters (or 1 semester + summer session), 在申请荣誉之前.
• 学生的平均绩点必须达到3分.25(大学政策).

申请过程

• Students should discuss doing Honors with their research mentor, 得到他们的认可, 和 submit an official Letter of Intent to the 生物化学 Chairperson(s) by the beginning of their senior 一年, 或更早.
• Letters of intent should include a summary of research results (realized 和 projected), as well as significance of the research 和 any projects in progress at the time of submission.
• Applications will be evaluated by the biochemistry program faculty.
• Students nominated for honors will be notified by the 生物化学 Chairperson(s).

完成过程

• 后提名, by September 30th each c和idate will select an honors thesis committee of two 生物化学 program faculty members (excluding Chairperson(s)), 除了他们的教师导师. This committee will be available for guidance 和 to help throughout the honors process.
• Mentors will check in with Chairperson(s) during the first week of classes in the Spring semester to confirm that honors c和idates have enough content to proceed.
• 候选人将与他们的导师一起工作, 委员会成员, 和 Chairperson(s) to establish a timeline for the completion of the written thesis 和 honors presentation. This timeline must conform to the guidelines below 和 any college requirements for the completion of honors. 该时间表应在3月之前提交给主席.
• 获得荣誉的条件:
  • The c和idate must complete a written thesis of their work. 草案的最后期限必须有充足的时间进行修订. The final thesis must be completed before the honors presentation.
  • Honors c和idates will give a presentation on their research. These presentations will last approximately 15-20 minutes, 5-10分钟提问时间(总共20-30分钟). Honors presentations are typically scheduled during 高级研讨会 in the middle of April.
•   Honors are recorded as Pass/Fail 和 are reported to the registrar by the Chairperson(s). The Chairperson(s) will inform the    students of their performance when it is decided upon by the committee. The deadline for submitting honors results is announced by the registrar in the 一年ly academic calendar (usually end of April).

阶段的写作

Students should familiarize themselves with the second-stage writing requirement at the time of declaring the major. Students majoring in 生物化学 will satisfy this requirement by completing an in-depth research paper  during the fall semester of BICH 490 (高级研讨会). 这篇论文是由导师评估的 BICH 490 以及生化咨询委员会的成员. 未达到此要求的学生 BICH 490 must consult with the 生物化学 program Chair about available alternatives. 这可能意味着报名参加 wrs 201 (C或以上).  Students can meet with the 生物化学 program Chair for more detailed information about the process of fulfilling the second-stage writing requirement.

全面的要求

The student must pass the Graduate Record Examination in 生物化学 at the 50th percentile rank or the American Chemical Society undergraduate examination in 生物化学 at the 50th percentile rank. The student will also satisfactorily write a research paper 和 present a seminar during the senior 一年 on an area of current research in the field of 生物化学 to an audience of Occidental students 和 faculty. A student can earn a Pass with Distinction in 生物化学 with a 75th percentile rank 和 a distinguished paper 和 seminar presentation.