B&MB students presenting their recent research at various national conferences and at the annual research symposium here at Dickinson.

The program. The biochemistry and molecular biology (B&MB) program at Dickinson is a rigorous course of study focusing on the junctions between the chemical and biological sciences. Students explore a wide array of topics, including gene regulation, protein structure and function, intermediary metabolism, genetics, developmental genomics, medical biochemistry, and thermodynamics. The program is interdisciplinary, requiring coursework in both the chemistry and biology departments, as well as a capstone research experience. Recent student projects have included investigations of:

• Molecular regulation of carcinogenesis
• Protein-nuleic acid complexes using newly constructed nucleic acid probes
• Virus-yeast interactions using cutting-edge DNA microarray technology
• Motility of cells using confocal laser microscopy
• Plant biochemistry and the biosynthesis of toxic secondary metabolites
• Synthesis of nanoscale chemical structures and organic molecules

The goal of the program is to train students broadly in the biochemical sciences, to provide students with practical laboratory-based research experiences, and prepare them to suceed in graduate or professional schools.

Participating faculty

There are currently nine core faculty with a broad range of research interests in the B&MB program.

John H. Henson (Cellular biology, microscopy), Charles A. Dana Chair of Biology.

Michael S. Holden (Organotransitionmetal-mediated synthesis of organics), Professor of Chemistry, Alfred Victor duPont Chair in Chemistry

Kristi Humphreys (Bio-inorganic chemistry), Assistant Professor of Chemistry

R. David Crouch (Organic synthesis), Associate Professor of Chemistry, Program Director

Michael P. Roberts (Molecular biology), Associate Professor of Biology

Thomas M. Arnold (Biochemistry of plants and marine organisms), Associate Professor of Biology

Kirsten A. Guss (Molecular and developmental biology), John R. & Inge Paul Stafford Chair in Bioinformatics, Associate Professor of Biology

Pamela J. Higgins (Protein / nucleic acid biochemistry), Assistant Professor of Chemistry

David B. Kushner (Molecular microbiology and virology), Assistant Professor of Biology

How to become a B&MB major

Students interested in the program usually declare a B&MB major in their first or second year at Dickinson. Contact Professor David Crouch (Chemistry) for more information about the program.

CURRENT B&MB MAJORS To graduate with a degree in B&MB all students successfully complete the following courses:

• Biology any two 120-129 courses, 216, and either 417, 418, 419 or 425
  
• Chemistry 131, 132, 241, 242, and an appropriate 490
• Biology/Chemistry 342, 343
• one course from Biol 313, Biol 326 or Chem 244
  
• Physics 131 or 141, 132 or 142
• Mathematics 161 or 151/152, 162

All Biochemistry & Molecular Biology majors are required to include a research experience as part of their undergraduate program. This requirement may be satisfied in the following ways:1) an independent research project in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; 2) on off-campus internship for credit in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; 3) a research experience not covered by the above but deemed equivalent by the contributing faculty.

In addition to the required course work, a number of other relevant courses are taught by the Biology and Chemistry departments, and it is recommended that students explore these offerings in order to broaden their expertise and investigate specific topics appropriate to their own interests.

General college requirements are summarized on the Registrar's homepage.

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