Biochemistry
Department of Biochemistry
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
140 Farber Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3000
(716) 829-2727
Fax: (716) 829-2725
Web: Biochemistry
Kenneth Blumenthal, Chair
Gail R. Willsky, Director of Undergraduate Education
Biochemistry addresses the chemical principles that underlie biological
processes. The course of study in biochemistry emphasizes macromolecular
structure and function, control of gene expression and metabolic regulation
as they relate to basic and biomedical science. The strength of the program
lies in the extensive research experience in the laboratories of the faculty.
Graduates are prepared to enter medical, dental, or graduate school, or
to go into occupations in academic, industrial, medical, or governmental
settings. The course requirements of the first two years are common to
a number of science majors and allow the student considerable flexibility
at the end of the sophomore year. There is no minor available in biochemistry.
Interested students should contact the director of undergraduate studies
during the second semester of the sophomore year. Applicants should bring
a copy of a current UB DARS report directly to the administrative assistant
in the Department of Biochemistry. Students are admitted to full standing
in the department after successful completion of their first two years.
401 Introduction to Research (2) (F)
Prerequisite: accepted biochemistry major
Designed for accepted students about to start the upper-division biochemistry
program. Meets once per week for one hour, with scheduled library workshops.
The course includes critically reading a scientific paper, introduces
library skills needed to do research, and correlates basic biochemistry
knowledge with ongoing research programs in the biochemistry department.
Students use these presentations to help them arrange for 2 credit hours
of BCH490 for the following semester. LEC
403 Principles of Biochemistry (4) (F)
Prerequisites: CHE201-202
One semester general biochemistry course for science majors and students
of pharmacy. Covers protein and membrane structure and function, metabolism,
and nucleic acid structure and molecular biology. LEC
404 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: accepted biochemistry major; BCH401, BCH403
Covers five areas of biochemistry beyond the basic survey course BCH403.
Each subject area is covered in three weeks; one week with lecture material,
one week with detailed faculty led discussion or reviews and literature
papers, and one week of presentation of papers by students. SEM
405 Research Topics in Biochemistry (3) (F)
Prerequisite: BCH401, BCH403, BCH404
Focuses on learning cutting-edge biochemistry by reading, analyzing, and
discussing research papers. Topics emphasize the molecular and mechanistic
aspects of signal transduction in growth, differentiation, development
and cancer; and signaling in response to hormones to the nervous system.
SEM
407 Research Presentations (1) (Sp)
Prerequisite: senior standing in biochemistry
Students attend one research seminar per week involving biochemistry and
write a two- to three-page report of that seminar. If the student obtains
a paper by the seminar speaker and incorporates that into the report,
it takes the place of one seminar. SEM
408 Gene Expression (2) (Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Designed to familiarize students with up-to-date concepts in eukaryotic
gene expression. Through a classroom discussion of selected papers, students
are introduced to current issues in gene transcription, mRNA processing,
and their regulation. Classroom learning is augmented with detailed problem
sets. SEM
490 Undergraduate Research Participation in Biochemistry (1-8) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Under the direction of faculty, original investigation project involving
library and lab work. Open to majors as a senior research project. TUT
499 Independent Study (1-6) (F; Sp)
For students having specific academic interests or objectives; department
faculty sponsor required before preregistration. TUT
Applications accepted after three semesters
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in science courses listed in first and second years
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in biochemistry courses and minimum GPA of 2.0 in supplemental
required courses to graduate
BCH401 Introduction to Research
BCH403 Principles of Biochemistry
BCH404 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
BCH407 Research Presentations
BCH490 Undergraduate Research Participation in Biochemistry
BIO200 Evolutionary Biology
BIO201 Cell Biology
BIO215 Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry Laboratory
CHE101 General Chemistry
CHE102 General Chemistry
CHE201 Organic Chemistry
CHE202 Organic Chemistry
CHE319 Physical Chemistry
MTH141 College Calculus I
MTH142 College Calculus II
PHY107 General Physics I
PHY108 General Physics II
PHY158 General Physics II Lab
One restricted chemistry elective*
Two/four 300/400-level science/math electives**
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education
and remaining university requirements.
First Year
Fall-MTH141, CHE101
Spring-MTH142, CHE102, BIO201, BIO200
Second Year
Fall-CHE201, PHY107, one elective
Spring-CHE202, PHY108, PHY158, BIO215
Third Year*
Fall-BCH401, BCH403
Spring-BCH404, BCH490
Fall and Spring-One/two 300/400-level science/math elective**
(CHE319 may be taken in the third year)
Fourth Year*
Fall-CHE319
Spring-BCH407
Fall and Spring-BCH490, one/two 300/400-level science/math elective**
*Third- or fourth-year students must take one class from the following
courses: CHE301 Intermediate Organic Chemistry, CHE321 Inorganic Chemistry,
CHE419 Physical Chemistry, MCH401 Molecular Structure and Reaction Mechanisms
in Medicinal Chemistry, MCH412 Instrumental Analysis, CHE320 Physical
Chemistry, MCH402 Principles of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, MCH403 Mechanisms
of Drug Action.
**Students are required to take 10 credit hours of upper-level didactic
science electives approved by the department. Four credit hours of mathematics
beyond MTH142 may be included.
Total required credit hours in biochemistry (includes 8 credits of BCH490)
and upper-level science - 33-34
Total additional required science and math credit hours - 45
Total credit hours in science and math (all levels) - 78-79
Questions and Comments about this site should be sent to:
- Academic Affairs
- Phone: (716) 645-6003
- Fax: (716) 645-2549
Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:16 EST
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