Biochemistry
Overview
Biochemistry explores the cell's molecular components and the chemical changes characteristic of living organisms. A thorough foundation in both biology and chemistry forms the core of biochemistry. Occidental's biochemists seek to use their scientific knowledge and broad education in the liberal arts to advance the public good and improve health care, economic opportunities, environmental stewardship, national security, as well as expanding human understanding through their teaching and research.
The core portion of the Biochemistry major includes BIO 130, the two biochemistry classes BIO 349 and CHEM 350, and the Biochemistry Senior Seminar, BICH 490. Classroom activities are supplemented by extensive laboratory experience involving the design, execution, and interpretation of experimental results. Biochemistry graduates generally elect to pursue graduate training toward a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or areas in Cell and Molecular Biology, a doctorate in the health professions, employment in the biotechnology field, or a career in education. Students planning on pursuing a Ph.D. are advised to take several more courses including the advanced Cell and Molecular offerings in Biology, and advanced Chemistry courses in Chemistry, to broaden their education. Biochemistry students are strongly encouraged to pursue their particular interests through an independent study-research project (BIO 395 or CHEM 395). The Biochemistry program is eager to accommodate the foreign study aspirations of its majors; however, due to the curriculum's sequential nature, careful advance planning is required.
Students wishing to declare the Biochemistry major should have completed two Biology and two Chemistry classes with at least a 2.7 GPA in these classes and arrange for the discussion of their schedule with one of the Program's advisors.
Major Requirements
BIOLOGY COMPONENT
(5 courses)
| BIO 130 | Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | 4 units |
| BIO 349 | Biochemistry I | 4 units |
Students must select one course from the list below:
Students must select one course from the list below:
Students must select one course from the list below:
CHEMISTRY COMPONENT
(6 courses)
Students must select one course from the list below:
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of General Chemistry | 4 units |
| CHEM 130 | Advanced Placement General Chemistry | 4 units |
Students must select one course from the list below:
MATHEMATICS COMPONENT
Students are required to take both courses listed below:
| Calculus 1 | Scientific Modeling and Differential Calculus | 4 units |
| Calculus 2 | Scientific Modeling and Integral Calculus | 4 units |
PHYSICS COMPONENT
Students are required to select one option (2 required courses) from the list below:
Option 1 -
| PHYS 110 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 units |
| PHYS 120 | Introductory Electricity and Magnetism | 4 units |
Option 2 -
SENIOR SEMINAR
Students are to enroll in BICH 490 (2 units) each semester of their senior year.
SECOND-STAGE WRITING REQUIREMENT
Students majoring in Biochemistry will satisfy the second-stage writing requirement by completing a research paper during the fall semester of BICH 490, Senior Seminar. Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. Students should meet with the Biochemistry Program chair for detailed information about the writing requirement process.
COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT
The student must pass the Graduate Record Examination in Biochemistry at the 50th percentile rank or the American Chemical Society undergraduate examination in Biochemistry at the 50th percentile rank. The student will also satisfactorily write a research paper and present a seminar during the senior year on an area of current research in the field of Biochemistry to an audience of Occidental students and faculty. A student can earn distinction in Biochemistry with a 75th percentile rank and a distinguished paper and seminar presentation.
HONORS
In addition to the requirements for College honors, the student will successfully defend a written thesis based upon the outcome of his or her laboratory research effort as an undergraduate. See the Honors Program for more information.
Courses
Biochemistry Courses
Faculty
Advisory Committee
Chris Craney
Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.S., University of Puget Sound; M.S., D.A., Washington State University
Roberta Pollock
Professor, Biology; Biochemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.S., Emory University; Ph.D., Harvard University
Renee Baran
Associate Professor, Biology; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry; Advisory Committee, Neuroscience
B.A., Macalester College; Ph.D., U.C. Berkeley
Jeffrey Cannon
Assistant Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.A. Occidental College; Ph.D. U.C. Irvine
Shana Goffredi
Associate Professor, Biology; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.A., University of San Diego; Ph.D., U.C. Santa Barbara
Linda Lasater
Non-Tenure-Track Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.A., State University of New York; M.S., Nova University; Ph.D., University of South Florida
Karen Molinder
Non-Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Biology
B.A. Occidental College, Ph.D., U.C. Los Angeles
Gretchen North
John W. McMenamin Endowed Chair in Biology; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry; Advisory Committee Urban and Environmental Policy
B.A. Stanford University; M.A., University of Connecticut; M.A., College of William and Mary; Ph.D., U.C. Los Angeles
Cheryl Okumura
Assistant Professor, Biology
B.A. Pomona College; Ph.D. U.C. Los Angeles
Marcella Raney
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
B.A., Occidental College; Ph.D., University of Southern California
Gary Schindelman
Full-Time Non-Tenure-Track Associate Professor, Biology
B.S., State University of New York at Binghamton; Ph.D., New York University
Joseph Schulz
Associate Professor, Biology; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry; Advisory Committee, Neuroscience
B.S., Indiana University; Ph.D., U.C. San Diego
Kerry Thompson
Associate Professor, Biology
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., U.C. Los Angeles
Andrew K. Udit
Associate Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
H.B.Sc., University of Toronto; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology