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Biomolecular Science Major

Effective Fall 2024

Exclusions:

Students who elect a major in Biomolecular Science may not elect the following majors: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences, Biophysics, Biology, General Biology; Biology, Health, and Society; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (formerly known as Cell and Molecular Biology, or CMB); Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience. They may not elect a minor in Biology, or any of the Chemistry minors. They may also not elect a degree program in Biomedical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Advising

Students develop a plan for the major in consultation with a program advisor. Those interested in a B.S. degree with a major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science, or Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences are urged to consult a program advisor during their first or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at http://lsa.umich.edu/chem/undergraduates/advising.html. Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with Newnan Academic Advising Center and then make an appointment to see a Chemistry Department advisor online.

Grade Policies

The department strongly recommends that a student earn a grade of at least C– in all CHEM courses and mathematics, physics, and biology courses that are prerequisite for subsequent elections. A major program grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics, physics, and biology prerequisites, and advanced electives that are part of a major plan. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade. Students must request any change in a chemistry course grade within the first fifteen University Business days of the first full term following the term in which the disputed grade was issued.

Prerequisites

    • BIOLOGY 171, 172 (or 195) and 173
    • CHEM 130, 125/126; or CHEM 245/246/247 for students with AP credit for CHEM 130, 125/126
    • MATH 115 (or 120); (or the equivalent)
    • MATH 116 (or 121), STATS 250, STATS 280; or the equivalent
    • PHYSICS [125/127 or 135/136 or 139 or 140/141 or 150/151] and [126/128 or 235/236 or 239 or  240/241 or 250/251] (or the equivalent).

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 25
    1. Core: CHEM 210/211; CHEM 215; CHEM 230 or 260; CHEM 351* and 352 or 353
      *Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 351 but could substitute this course requirement with MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415.
    2. Electives: A total of at least 9 credits (three courses) with at least one course at the 400-level:
      1. At least one course chosen from:
        • CHEM 302, 303, 419, 420, 421, 425, 436, 451, 452, 453, 455, 465, 474
        • BIOLCHEM 451, 452
      2. At least one course chosen from:
        • BIOLOGY 305
        • BIOPHYS 420, 421, 430 (only if elected W20 or later), 440
        • CHEM 440
        • MCDB 405, 422, 427, 428, 433 (only if elected W18 or later), 436 (only if elected W18 or later), 437, 452
        • MICRBIOL 405 (only if elected W18 or later)
        • PHARMACOL 310, 425
        • PHYSIOL 502 (only if elected W18 or later)

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CHEM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Effective Winter 2013

Students may obtain Honors in Biomolecular Science by successfully completing all courses required for the Biomolecular Science major with an overall GPA of 3.4. In addition, students obtaining Honors must complete one additional upper-level Chemistry elective (chosen in consultation with the department advisor), complete four credits elected over at least two terms of CHEM 398 and write a thesis based on their undergraduate research. Students must register for one credit of CHEM 498 in the term in which they plan to submit their thesis.

Biomolecular Science [A.B. or B.S.] (Major) (Winter 2024 - Summer 2024)

Effective Winter 2024

Exclusions:

Students who elect a major in Biomolecular Science may not elect the following majors: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences, Biology, General Biology; Biology, Health, and Society; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (formerly known as Cell and Molecular Biology, or CMB); Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience. They may not elect a minor in Biology, or any of the Chemistry minors. They may also not elect a degree program in Biomedical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Advising

Students develop a plan for the major in consultation with a program advisor. Those interested in a B.S. degree with a major in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science, or Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences are urged to consult a program advisor during their first or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at http://lsa.umich.edu/chem/undergraduates/advising.html. Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with Newnan Academic Advising Center and then make an appointment to see a Chemistry Department advisor online.

Grade Policies

The department strongly recommends that a student earn a grade of at least C– in all CHEM courses and mathematics, physics, and biology courses that are prerequisite for subsequent elections. A major program grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics, physics, and biology prerequisites, and advanced electives that are part of a major plan. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade. Students must request any change in a chemistry course grade within the first fifteen University Business days of the first full term following the term in which the disputed grade was issued.

Prerequisites

    • BIOLOGY 171, 172 (or 195) and 173
    • CHEM 130, 125/126; or CHEM 245/246/247 for students with AP credit for CHEM 130, 125/126
    • MATH 115 (or 120); (or the equivalent)
    • MATH 116 (or 121), STATS 250, STATS 280; or the equivalent
    • PHYSICS [125/127 or 135/136 or 139 or 140/141 or 150/151] and [126/128 or 235/236 or 239 or  240/241 or 250/251] (or the equivalent).

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 25
    1. Core: CHEM 210/211; CHEM 215; CHEM 230 or 260; CHEM 351* and 352 or 353
      *Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 351 but could substitute this course requirement with MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415.
    2. Electives: A total of at least 9 credits (three courses) with at least one course at the 400-level:
      1. At least one course chosen from:
        • CHEM 302, 303, 419, 420, 421, 425, 436, 451, 452, 453, 455, 465, 474
        • BIOLCHEM 451, 452
      2. At least one course chosen from:
        • BIOLOGY 305
        • BIOPHYS 420, 421, 430 (only if elected W20 or later), 440
        • CHEM 440
        • MCDB 405, 422, 427, 428, 433 (only if elected W18 or later), 436 (only if elected W18 or later), 437, 452
        • MICRBIOL 405 (only if elected W18 or later)
        • PHARMACOL 310, 425
        • PHYSIOL 502 (only if elected W18 or later)

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CHEM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Effective Winter 2013

Students may obtain Honors in Biomolecular Science by successfully completing all courses required for the Biomolecular Science major with an overall GPA of 3.4. In addition, students obtaining Honors must complete one additional upper-level Chemistry elective (chosen in consultation with the department advisor), complete four credits elected over at least two terms of CHEM 398 and write a thesis based on their undergraduate research. Students must register for one credit of CHEM 498 in the term in which they plan to submit their thesis.

Biomolecular Science [A.B. or B.S.] (Major) (Fall 2023)

Effective Fall 2023

Exclusions:

Students who elect a major in Biomolecular Science may not elect the following majors: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences, Biology, General Biology; Biology, Health, and Society; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (formerly known as Cell and Molecular Biology, or CMB); Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience. They may not elect a minor in Biology, or any of the Chemistry minors. They may also not elect a degree program in Biomedical Engineering. 

Advising

Students develop a plan for the major in consultation with a program advisor. Those interested in a B.S. degree with a major in Chemical Science (120 credits) or the specialized program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (124 credits) are urged to consult a program advisor during the freshman and/or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at www.lsa.umich.edu/chem/undergraduate/advising. Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with their LSA advising unit and then make an appointment to see a chemistry department advisor.

Grade Policies

The department strongly recommends that a student earn a grade of at least C– in all CHEM courses and mathematics, physics, and biology courses that are prerequisite for subsequent elections. A major program grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics, physics, and biology prerequisites, and advanced electives that are part of a major plan. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade. Students must request any change in a chemistry course grade within the first fifteen University Business days of the first full term following the term in which the disputed grade was issued.

Prerequisites

    • BIOLOGY 171, 172 (or 195) and 173
    • CHEM 130, 125/126; or CHEM 245/246/247 for students with AP credit for CHEM 130, 125/126
    • MATH 115 (or 120); (or the equivalent)
    • MATH 116 (or 121), STATS 250, STATS 280; or the equivalent
    • PHYSICS [125/127 or 135/136 or 139 or 140/141 or 150/151] and [126/128 or 235/236 or 239 or  240/241 or 250/251] (or the equivalent).

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 25
    1. Core: CHEM 210/211; CHEM 215; CHEM 230 or 260; CHEM 351* and 352 or 353
      *Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 351 but could substitute this course requirement with MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415.
    2. Electives: A total of at least 9 credits (three courses) with at least one course at the 400-level:
      1. At least one course chosen from:
        • CHEM 302, 303, 419, 420, 421, 425, 436, 451, 452, 453, 455, 465, 474
        • BIOLCHEM 451, 452
      2. At least one course chosen from:
        • BIOLOGY 305
        • BIOPHYS 420, 421, 430 (only if elected W20 or later), 440
        • CHEM 440
        • MCDB 405, 422, 427, 428, 433 (only if elected W18 or later), 436 (only if elected W18 or later), 437, 452
        • MICRBIOL 405 (only if elected W18 or later)
        • PHARMACOL 310, 425
        • PHYSIOL 502 (only if elected W18 or later)

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CHEM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Effective Winter 2013

Students may obtain Honors in Biomolecular Science by successfully completing all courses required for the Biomolecular Science major with an overall GPA of 3.4. In addition, students obtaining Honors must complete one additional upper-level Chemistry elective (chosen in consultation with the department advisor), complete four credits elected over at least two terms of CHEM 398 and write a thesis based on their undergraduate research. Students must register for one credit of CHEM 498 in the term in which they plan to submit their thesis.

Biomolecular Science [A.B. or B.S.] (Major) (Winter 2022 - Summer 2023)

Effective Winter 2022

Exclusions:

Students who elect a major in Biomolecular Science may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Biology, Health, & Society; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (formerly known as Cell and Molecular Biology, or CMB); Biomedical Engineering; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience. They may also not elect a minor in Biology, or any of the Chemistry minors.

Advising

Students develop a plan for the major in consultation with a program advisor. Those interested in a B.S. degree with a major in Chemical Science (120 credits) or the specialized program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (124 credits) are urged to consult a program advisor during the freshman and/or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at www.lsa.umich.edu/chem/undergraduate/advising. Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with their LSA advising unit and then make an appointment to see a chemistry department advisor.

Grade Policies

The department strongly recommends that a student earn a grade of at least C– in all CHEM courses and mathematics, physics, and biology courses that are prerequisite for subsequent elections. A major program grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics, physics, and biology prerequisites, and advanced electives that are part of a major plan. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade. Students must request any change in a chemistry course grade within the first fifteen University Business days of the first full term following the term in which the disputed grade was issued.

Prerequisites

    • BIOLOGY 171, 172 (or 195) and 173
    • CHEM 130, 125/126; or CHEM 245/246/247 for students with AP credit for CHEM 130, 125/126
    • MATH 115 (or 120); (or the equivalent)
    • MATH 116 (or 121), STATS 250, STATS 280; or the equivalent
    • PHYSICS [125/127 or 135/136 or 139 or 140/141 or 150/151] and [126/128 or 235/236 or 239 or  240/241 or 250/251] (or the equivalent).

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 25
    1. Core: CHEM 210/211; CHEM 215; CHEM 230 or 260; CHEM 351* and 352 or 353
      *Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 351 but could substitute this course requirement with MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415.
    2. Electives: A total of at least 9 credits (three courses) with at least one course at the 400-level:
      1. At least one course chosen from:
        • CHEM 302, 303, 419, 420, 421, 425, 436, 451, 452, 453, 455, 465, 474
        • BIOLCHEM 451, 452
      2. At least one course chosen from:
        • BIOLOGY 305
        • BIOPHYS 420, 421, 430 (only if elected W20 or later), 440
        • CHEM 440
        • MCDB 405, 422, 427, 428, 433 (only if elected W18 or later), 436 (only if elected W18 or later), 437, 452
        • MICRBIOL 405 (only if elected W18 or later)
        • PHARMACOL 310, 425
        • PHYSIOL 502 (only if elected W18 or later)

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CHEM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Effective Winter 2013

Students may obtain Honors in Biomolecular Science by successfully completing all courses required for the Biomolecular Science major with an overall GPA of 3.4. In addition, students obtaining Honors must complete one additional upper-level Chemistry elective (chosen in consultation with the department advisor), complete four credits elected over at least two terms of CHEM 398 and write a thesis based on their undergraduate research. Students must register for one credit of CHEM 498 in the term in which they plan to submit their thesis.

Biomolecular Science [A.B. or B.S.] (Major) (Fall 2015 - Fall 2021)

Effective Fall 2015

Exclusions:

Students who elect a major in Biomolecular Science may not elect the following majors: Biology, General Biology; Biology, Health, & Society; Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (formerly known as Cell and Molecular Biology, or CMB); Biomedical Engineering; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; or Neuroscience. They may also not elect a minor in Biology, or any of the Chemistry minors.

Advising

Students develop a plan for the major in consultation with a program advisor. Those interested in a B.S. degree with a major in Chemical Science (120 credits) or the specialized program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (124 credits) are urged to consult a program advisor during the freshman and/or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at www.lsa.umich.edu/chem/undergraduate/advising. Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with John Stratman [Academic Advising Center, 1255 Angell Hall, 734.764.0332] and then make an appointment to see a chemistry department advisor online.

Grade Policies

The department strongly recommends that a student earn a grade of at least C– in all CHEM courses and mathematics, physics, and biology courses that are prerequisite for subsequent elections. A major program grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics, physics, and biology prerequisites, and advanced electives that are part of a major plan. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade. Students must request any change in a chemistry course grade within the first fifteen University Business days of the first full term following the term in which the disputed grade was issued.

Prerequisites

    • BIOLOGY 171, 172 and 173
    • CHEM 130, 125/126; or CHEM 245/246/247 for students with AP credit for CHEM 130, 125/126
    • MATH 115 (or 120); (or the equivalent)
    • MATH 116 (or 121), STATS 250, STATS 280; or the equivalent
    • PHYSICS [135/136 or 140/141] and [235/236 or 240/241] (or the equivalent).

Requirements

Minimum Credits: 25
    1. Core: CHEM 210/211; CHEM 215; CHEM 260 or 230;CHEM 351* and 352
      *Students are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 351 but could substitute this course requirement with MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415.
    2. Electives: A total of at least 9 credits (three courses) with at least one course at the 400-level:
      1. At least one course chosen from:
        • CHEM 303, 419 (only if elected F16 or later), 420, 425 (only if elected W17 or later), 436 (only if elected W17 or later), 451, 452, 453, 455, 465 (only if elected W17 or later)
        • BIOLCHEM 451, 452
      2. At least one course chosen from:
        • BIOLOGY 305
        • BIOPHYS 420 (only if elected W17 or later), 421 (only if elected W18 or later), 430 (only if elected W20 or later), 440
        • CHEM 440
        • MCDB 405, 411, 422, 427, 428, 431, 433 (only if elected W18 or later), 436 (only if elected W18 or later), 437
        • MICRBIOL 405 (only if elected W18 or later)
        • PHARMACOL 425
        • PHYSIOL 502 (only if elected W18 or later)

Distribution Policy

No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the CHEM subject area may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.

Honors

Effective Winter 2013

Students may obtain Honors in Biomolecular Science by successfully completing all courses required for the Biomolecular Science major with an overall GPA of 3.4. In addition, students obtaining Honors must complete one additional upper-level Chemistry elective (chosen in consultation with the department advisor), complete four credits elected over at least two terms of CHEM 398 and write a thesis based on their undergraduate research. Students must register for one credit of CHEM 498 in the term in which they plan to submit their thesis.