Biochemistry and Biotechnology Home Page

Faculty

Wesley R. Harris, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*, Director
Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Teresa Thiel, Professor of Biology*; Associate Dean, Arts and Sciences
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Xuemin Wang, E. Desmond Lee and Family Fund Endowed Professor of Plant Sciences*
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Valerian T. D’Souza, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*
Ph.D., University of Detroit
Cynthia M. Dupureur, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Jane A. Starling, Associate Professor of Biology Emerita*
Ph.D., The William Marsh Rice University
Keith J. Stine, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Colin MacDiarmid, Assistant Professor of Biology*
Ph.D., University of Auckland
Michael R. Nichols, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*
Ph.D., Purdue University
Wendy M. Olivas, Assistant Professor of Biology*
Ph.D., University of Nebraska Medical Center
Lisa Schechter, Assistant Professor of Biology*
Ph.D., Harvard University
Marc Spingola, Assistant Professor of Biology*
Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Chung F. Wong, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry*
Ph.D., University of Chicago
Bethany Zolman, Assistant Professor of Biology*
Ph.D., The William March Rice University

*members of Graduate Faculty

General Information

Degrees
The Biochemistry and Biotechnology Program provides academic programs leading to the undergraduate B.S. degree or the graduate M.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology. These degrees are offered in cooperation with the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Faculty members in this program are engaged in teaching and research in areas such as biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology and developmental biology. Majors have the opportunity through coursework, laboratories, seminars and research experience to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the workforce or to go on with further graduate education.

Career Outlook

Nationally and regionally the emerging Biotechnology sector will increase the demand for workers with significant training in molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. The St. Louis metropolitan area has long been a major center for biochemistry and biotechnology, and in the past decade it has become a focus for the establishment of life sciences research and development. A degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology provides students with the training they need to become part of the broad biotechnology and life sciences industries.

Undergraduate Studies

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology

General Education Requirements
Students must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Some math or science courses required for the major may be used to meet the science and mathematics requirement of the university. There is no foreign language requirement for the degree.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option
Up to 18 credit hours may be taken on a satisfactory /unsatisfactory (s/u). Excluded from this option are required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Non-major Biology or Chemistry courses
Courses in Biology with a number less than 1800 and courses in Chemistry with a number less than 1100 do not count toward the credit hours required for a major in biochemistry and biotechnology.

1) Biology and Chemistry Core Courses
Biol 1811, Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms
Biol 2012, Genetics
Biol 2013, Genetics Laboratory
Biol 2482, Microbiology
Biol 2483, Microbiology Laboratory
Biol 3622, Cell Biology
Biol 4602, Molecular Biology
Chem 1111, Introductory Chemistry I
Chem 1121, Introductory Chemistry II
Chem 2223, Quantitative Analysis
Chem 2612, Organic Chemistry I
Chem 2622, Organic Chemistry II
Chem 2633, Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Chem 3302, Physical Chemistry for The Life Sciences

2) Biochemistry and Biotechnology Core Courses
Biol 4712 or Chem 4712, Biochemistry
Biol 4713, Techniques in Biochemistry or Chem 4733, Biochemistry Laboratory
Biol 4614, Biotechnology Laboratory I

3) Math and Physics Core Courses
Math 1030, College Algebra
Math 1035, Trigonometry
Math 1100, Basic Calculus or Math 1800, Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
Phys 1011, Basic Physics
Phys 1012, Basic Physics

4) Biochemistry and Biotechnology Elective Courses - 9 credit hours chosen from the courses below:
Biol 4612, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
Biol 4615 , Biotechnology Laboratory II
Biol 4622 , Molecular Cell Biology
Biol 4632, Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
Chem 3643, Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Chem 4722, Advanced Biochemistry
Chem 4764, Interdisciplinary Topics in Biochemistry
Chem 4772, Physical Biochemistry

Electives
Recommendations include basic statistics (Math 1310 or Math 1320), computer science, public speaking (Comm 1040), foreign language, ethics, and undergraduate research.

Research Opportunity
Students are encouraged to complete a minimum of 2 credit hours of undergraduate research, which provides students with an opportunity to gain research experience under the supervision of a faculty member. The project will normally include a review of the literature, laboratory experience and a research paper.

Minor in Biology
Students who complete the B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology may also obtain a minor biology by completing Biology 1821, Introductory Biology : Organisms and the Environment. The minor must be approved by the chairperson of the Department of Biology. At least 9 hours of the biology course credits must be taken in residence at UM-St. Louis. Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in the minor, and none of the courses may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (s/u) basis.

Minor in Chemistry
Students who complete the B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology will also fulfill the course requirements for a minor in Chemistry. A GPA of at least 2.0 is required for the courses presented for the minor. At least three courses toward the Chemistry minor must be completed at UM-St. Louis.

Graduate Studies

Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
The Biochemistry and Biotechnology Program offers two types of Master of Science degrees. One is a non-thesis option suitable for those with laboratory research experience or for others, such as educators, who do not require research experience. The other option includes a laboratory-based research apprenticeship leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted as a thesis student by a faculty member of the program.

M.S. Admission Requirements
Applicants to the M.S. program must submit completed application and personal data forms, three letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty, and transcripts of all previous work. Submission of Graduate Record Examination scores, although not required, is highly recommended and will be used by the admission committee for consideration of admittance. Admission as a regular graduate student requires graduation from an accredited college with a minimum grade point average overall and in biology and chemistry courses of 3.0 (where A = 4.0). Students will generally be expected to have completed a major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or biotechnology. In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants should have completed an undergraduate course in biochemistry (equivalent to Biology/Chemistry 4712).

All foreign applicants, except those from countries where English is the primary language, must take the TOEFL. Ordinarily, a score of 213 on the computer-based exam (550 on the paper-based exam) or better is required.

Requirements
Both the thesis and non-thesis options require a total of 30 graduate credit hours, of which at least half must be at the 5000-level or above. A maximum of 12 or 5 credit hours of Graduate Research (Biol or Chem 6905) may be applied toward the 30 credit hour total for the thesis or non-thesis options, respectively.

1) Required Courses
Chem 4722, Advanced Biochemistry
Chem 5794, Special Topics in Biochemistry (Bioinformatics)
Biol 4614, Biotechnology Laboratory I or Biol 6615, Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II
Biol 6602, Advanced Molecular Biology or Biol 6612, Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
Biol 6889, Graduate Seminar

2) Elective Courses
Chem 4733, Biochemistry Laboratory
Chem 4764, Interdisciplinary Topics in Biochemistry
Chem 4772, Physical Biochemistry
Chem 5794, Special Topics in Biochemistry
Chem 6787, Problem Seminar in Biochemistry
Chem 6905, Graduate Research
Biol 4842, Immunobiology
Biol 5069, Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology
Biol 6602, Advanced Molecular Biology
Biol 6612, Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria
Biol 6615, Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II
Biol 6622, Advanced Molecular Cell Biology
Biol 6632, Advanced Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
Biol 6642, Advanced Plant Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineerng
Biol 6652, Advanced Virology
Biol 6699, Graduate Internship in Biotechnology
Biol 6889, Graduate Seminar
Biol 6905, Graduate Research

Course Descriptions

Prerequisites may be waived by consent of the department or instructor. Some courses as indicated in the course description may be taken concurrently with the listed offering. Consult an adviser for further information.

Students who have earned 24 or more semester hours of credit at any accredited post-secondary institution(s) before the start of the fall 2002 semester must meet the general education requirements stipulated in the UM-St. Louis 2001-2002 Bulletin. The following courses fulfill the Natural Sciences and Mathematics breadth of study requirements as described in that Bulletin:

Biology: 1811, 2012, 2482, 3622, 4602, 4712, 4612, 4622, 4632. Chemistry: 1111, 1121, 2223, 2612, 2622, 3302, 4712, 4722, 4764, 4772.

Biology Courses

*Note – Majors in Biochemistry and Biotechnology are not required to take Biol 1821; hence it is not a prerequisite for Biol 2012, Biol 2482, or Biol 3622 for these majors.

1811 Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms (5), [MI, MS]
Prerequisite: A minimum of high school chemistry, Eng 1100 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently), and placement into college algebra or higher. Required for students intending to major in biology or take specified biology courses at the 2000-level or above. This course presents an introduction to some of the principles of biology and scientific methodology applied to the molecular/cellular through organ system levels of organization. Topics include: cell structure, metabolism, reproduction, heredity and major physiological processes regulated by organ systems. Three hours of lecture, three and one-half hours of lab, and one hour of discussion per week.

2012 Genetics (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 1811[biology majors must also take Biol 1821] and Chem 1111 or [Chem 1082 plus Chem 1091]. Fundamental principles of inheritance, including classical genetic theory as well as recent advances in the molecular basis of heredity. Three hours of lecture per week.

2013 Genetics Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in Biol 2012, or by consent of instructor. Laboratory to accompany Biol 2012. Three and one-half hours of organized laboratory time per week. Students may need to return to the laboratory at unscheduled times to complete some exercises.

2482 Microbiology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 1811 [majors must also take Biol 1821] and Chem 1111 [or Chem 1082 plus Chem 1091]. Study of microorganisms, their metabolism, genetics, and their interaction with other forms of life. Three hours of lecture per week.

2483 Microbiology Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Biol 1811 [biology majors must also take Biol 1821] and Chem 1111 [or Chem 1082 plus Chem 1091]. Study of microorganisms, their metabolism, genetics, and their interaction with other forms of life. Three hours of lecture per week.

3622 Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 1811 [biology majors must also take Biol 1821], Chem 1111, 1121 and 2612 or equivalents. Examination of the basic biological processes of cells.

4602 Molecular Biology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 and 4712. A study of the principles of molecular biology, with emphasis on understanding the genetic regulation of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and function in the eukaryotic cells. Three hours of lecture per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4602 and Biol 6602.

4612 Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2482 and Biol 2012. A study of the molecular biology of gene replication, transfer, and expression in bacterial cells. Topics include DNA replication, transcription and translation, mutagenesis, DNA repair and recombination, gene transfer,  and the regulation of genes and global expression systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Students may not received credit for both Biol 4612 and Biol 6612.

4614 Biotechnology Laboratory I (4)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the fundamental concepts that underlie the field of biotechnology. Both the basic principles of molecular biology and hands-on experience with the techniques of the field will be addressed through lectures, discussion, and a series of laboratory exercises. Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Fulfills a laboratory requirement only; may not be used to fulfill the 4000-level or above lecture course requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degree in biology. Students may not receive credit for Biol 4614 and a comparable biotechnology course from another institution.

4615 Biotechnology Laboratory II (4)
Prerequisite:  Biol 4614 and either Biol 4602 or Biol 4612, or consent of instructor. An in-depth look at theory and practice of biotechnology. Lectures and discussion will examine the underlying principles, and laboratory exercises will present hands-on experience with current techniques. One hour of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Fulfills a laboratory requirement only; may not be used to fulfill the 4000-5000 level lecture course requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degree in biology. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4615 and Biol 6615.

4622 Molecular Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 3622, Biol 4602, and Biol 4712 or consent of instructor. A study of the structural organization and processes of eukaryotic cells. Topics of discussion will include regulation of transcription, gene product processing and transport, organelle biogenesis and function, cytoskeletal structure and function, and cell interactions. Three hours of lecture per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4622 and Biol 6622.

4632 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 and 4712 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Comprehensive view of structural properties of DNA and RNA that promote molecular interactions and biological function. Topics include physical properties of nucleic acids, formation and biological importance of higher order structures, RNA enzymatic activities, nucleic acid-protein interactions, and RNA metabolism. Three hours of lecture per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4632 and 6632.

4712 Biochemistry (3)
[Same as Chem 4712]. Prerequisite: Chem 2612 and either Biol 1811 or Chem 2622. Examines the chemistry and function of cell constituents, and the interaction and conversions of intracellular substances. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4712 and Chem 4712.

4713 Techniques in Biochemistry (2)
Prerequisite: Biol 4712 or Chem 4712 (may be taken concurrently). Laboratory activities introducing fundamental qualitative and quantitative biochemical techniques. Student evaluation will be based on laboratory participation, student laboratory reports, and written examinations. Three and one-half hours of organized laboratory time per week. Students my need to return to the laboratory at unscheduled times to complete some experiments.

4842 Immunobiology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 4712 and Chem 2612. The fundamental principles and concepts of immunobiology and immunochemistry. Emphasis on the relation of immunological phenomena to biological phenomena and biological problems. Three hours of lecture per week.

5069 Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology (1)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Presentation and discussion of student and faculty research projects and/or current research articles in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. May be repeated.

6602 Advanced Molecular Biology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 and 4712, or consent of instructor. A study of the principles of molecular biology, with emphasis on understanding the genetic regulation of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and function in eukaryotic cell. Three hours of lecture per week. Students will be required to give an oral presentation and/or write an extra paper on a topic relevant to the course. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 6602 and Biol 4602.

6612 Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 and 2482. A study of the molecular biology of gene replication, transfer, and expression in bacterial cells. Topics include DNA replication, transcription and translation, mutagenesis, DNA repair and recombination, gene transfer, and the regulation of genes and global expression systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Students will be required to give an oral presentation and/or write an extra paper on a topic relevant to the course. Student may not receive credit for both Biol 6612 and Biol 4612.

6615 Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II (4)
Prerequisite: Biol 4614 and either Biol 4602 or Biol 4612, or consent of instructor. An in-depth look at the theory and practice of biotechnology. Lectures and discussion will examine the underlying principles, and laboratory exercises will present hands-on experience with current techniques. One hour of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Students will be required to give an oral presentation and/or write an extra paper on a topic relevant to the course. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 6615 and Biol 4615.

6622 Advanced Molecular Cell Biology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 4602, Biol 3622, and Biol 4712, or consent of instructor. A study of structural organization and processes of eukaryotic cells. Topics of discussion will include regulation of transcription, gene product processing and transport, organelle biogenesis and function, cytoskeletal structure and function, and cell interactions. Three hours of lecture per week. Students will be required to given an oral presentation and/or write an extra paper on a topic relevant to the course. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 6622 and Biol 4622.

6632 Advanced Nucleic Acid Structure and Function (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2012 and 4712 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Comprehensive view of structural properties of DNA and RNA that promote molecular interactions and biological function. Topics include physical properties of nucleic acids, formation and biological importance of higher order structures, RNA enzymatic activities, nucleic acid-protein interaction, and RNA metabolism. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4632 and Biol 6632.

6642 Advanced Plant Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 4602 or 4612. Topics will include plant cell and developmental biology, DNA transfer into plants, using mutations to identify genes and their functions, regeneration of plants in tissue culture, signal transduction mechanisms, molecular biology of plant organelles, developmental engineering, metabolic engineering, plant microbe interactions, and engineered resistance to pathogen attack. Three hours of lecture and one hour of seminar per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4642 and Biol 6642..

6652 Advanced Virology (3)
Prerequisite: Biol 2482 and 2012. An advanced comparative study of the structure, reproduction, and genetics of viruses. Three hours of lecture, one hour of discussion or seminar per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4652 and 6652.

6699 Graduate Internship in Biotechnology (1-4)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and enrollment in graduate Biotechnology Certificate Program. Six credit hours maximum (maximum of eight combined credit hours of Biol 6905 and internship). Internship will consist of period of observation, experimentation and on-the-job training in a biotechnology laboratory. The laboratory may be industrial or academic. Credit will be determined by the number of hours the student works each week and in consultation between the intern’s supervisor and the instructor. Internship assignments will be commensurate with the education and experience of the student.

6889 Graduate Seminar (2)
Presentation and discussion of various research problems in biology. Graduate student exposure to the seminar process.

6905 Graduate Research in Biology (1-10)
Research in area selected by student in consultation with faculty members.

Chemistry Courses

1111 Introductory Chemistry I (5) [MS]
Prerequisite: Mathematics through college algebra and trigonometry may be taken concurrently. Presents an introduction to the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry. Laboratory experiments are designed to demonstrate some aspects of qualitative and quantitative analysis and to develop skills in laboratory procedures. Chemistry majors may not include both Chem 1082 and 1111, and both Chem 1011 and 1111 in the 120 hours required for graduation. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week, one hour of laboratory-lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.

1121 Introductory Chemistry II (5) [MI, MS]
Prerequisite: Chem 1111 or advanced placement. Lecture and laboratory are a continuation of Chem 1111. Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week; one hour laboratory-lecture and three hours of laboratory weekly.

2223 Quantitative Analysis (3) [C, MI, MS]
Prerequisite: Chem 1121. Principles and practice of elementary quantitative chemistry. The lecture treats descriptive statistics with emphasis on small samples; various types of competing equilibria pertaining to acid-base, complexometric and potentiometric titrations; and an introduction to spetrophotometric processes. The laboratory provides exercises in titrimetric, gravimetric, and spectrophotometric techniques. Both portions of the course deal with the analytical chemistry of environmentally-significant problems. Two hours of lecture and four and one-half hours of laboratory weekly. 

2612 Organic Chemistry I (3) [MS]
Prerequisite: Chem 1121. An introduction to the structure, properties, synthesis, and reactions of aliphatic and aromatic carbon compounds. Three hours of lecture per week.

2622 Organic Chemistry II (3) [MI, MS]
Prerequisite: Chem 2612. A systematic study of organic reactions and their mechanisms; organic synthetic methods. Three hours of lecture per week.

2633 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2) [C, MS]
Prerequisite: Chem 2612 or consent of instructor. An introduction to laboratory techniques and procedures of synthetic organic chemistry including analysis of organic compounds. One hour of lecture and four and one-half hours of laboratory per week.

3302 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (3)
Prerequisites: Chem 2612 and Math 1800 or Math 1100, and Phys 1012.  Principles and applications of physical chemistry appropriate to students pursuing degree programs in the life sciences.  Topics will include thermodynamics, equilibria, kinetics, and spectroscopy.  This course is intended for undergraduates seeking the B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology and does not fulfill the physical chemistry requirement for other Chemistry B.A. and B.S. degree programs.

3643 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
Prerequisites:  Chem 2223, Chem 2622, Chem 2633. Chem 3022 may be taken concurrently. Identification of organic compounds by classical and spectroscopic methods; advanced techniques in synthesis and separation of organic compounds. One hour of lecture and four and one-half hours laboratory per week.  Not for graduate credit.

4712 Biochemistry (3)
[Same as Biol 4712] Prerequisite: Chem 2612 and either Biol 1811 or Chem 2622. The chemistry and function of cell constituents, and the interaction and conversions of intracellular substances. Three hours of lecture per week. Students may not receive credit for both Biol 4712 and Chem 4712. Biol 4712 may not be used to fulfill the 3000 or 4000 level lecture course requirement for the B.S. in Biology.

4722 Advanced Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Chem 4712. Selected advanced topics in the chemistry of life processes. Three hours of lecture per week.

4733 Biochemistry Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Chem 4712 may be taken concurrently. Laboratory study of biochemical processes in cellular and subcellular systems with emphasis on the isolation and purification of proteins (enzymes) and the characterization of catalytic properties. One hour of lecture and three and one-half hour of laboratory per week.

4764 Interdisciplinary Topics in Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Chem 4712; Chem 4722 strongly recommended. Includes advanced studies of enzyme mechanisms, the role of metal ions in enzymatic and non-enzymatic processes, and the application of computational chemistry to biological systems. Three hours of lecture per week.

4772 Physical Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Chem 3312 or Chem/Biol 4712. Designed to acquaint students with concepts and methods in biophysical chemistry. Topics that will be discussed include protein and DNA structures, forces involved in protein folding and conformational stability, protein-DNA interactions, methods for characterization and separation of macromolecules, electron transfer, and biological spectroscopy. Three hours of lecture per week.

5794 Special Topics in Biochemistry (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Selected topics in biochemistry. May be taken more than once for credit.

6787 Problem Seminar in Biochemistry (1)
Prerequisite: Consent of the biochemistry staff. Problems from the current literature, presentations and discussions by faculty, students and visiting scientists. Ph.D. students may take more than once for credit. Up to three credits may be applied to the M.S. degree program.

6905 Graduate Research in Chemistry (1-10)