The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

 

PROPOSAL 12-06

 

(Voting Units: Academic Departments)

 

BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, B.S.

with concentrations in

Chemistry and Biological Sciences

 

1.         Program Description

The proposed Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. degree will be offered through a collaboration of the departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences. This new degree will be jointly administered by the two departments and combines the strengths of the existing biochemistry/molecular biology concentrations in each. The proposed program meets the guidelines set by the BIO2010 report (National Research Council of the National Academies, 2003) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) in having a strong basis in quantitative and physical sciences.  Graduates will be prepared for technical and research positions in industry, particularly biomedical, pharmaceutical and agricultural sciences, and for advanced study in biochemistry, molecular biology, or health sciences.

 

This B.S. program recognizes that biochemistry and molecular biology represent a melding of basic biology and chemistry concepts that truly integrates the topics. The subject can be studied from the perspective of molecular concepts that are applied to biological systems, or from a cellular biochemical process perspective progressing down to the molecular scale. Students will choose one of these two complementary approaches by selecting a concentration in Chemistry or a concentration in Biological Sciences. All students in this B.S. program take a common set of core courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics and an additional concentration in Chemistry or Biological Sciences. This degree is jointly administered by the departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences through a committee composed of the two department chairs, and two faculty members from each department.

 

2.         Rationale

Expanding career opportunities in biomedical and biotechnical fields will be available to graduates with a practical and in-depth understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology. These skills cannot be conveniently acquired through traditional biology or chemistry degree programs. The joint program takes advantage of faculty expertise in both departments and offers students the choice of focusing on chemistry or biological processes in their advanced courses.

 

During the past decade, the interrelationships between the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology have grown so numerous and complex that the previously distinct boundary between these two disciplines has essentially vanished and a program with the combined name of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is appropriate. In addition to traditional areas of research specialization, new areas such as Metabolomics, Bioinformatics, Genomics and Proteomics have appeared at the interfaces of biology and chemistry. Irrespective of the model system being studied (plants, bacteria, yeasts, animal cells), investigators now utilize an array of sophisticated techniques and approaches to address complex cellular problems. Application of these techniques, and development of improved ones, requires a thorough theoretical understanding of their underlying mechanisms. In recognition of the increased use of molecular tools and approaches in biochemistry, the premier society for biochemistry, The American Society for Biochemistry (ASB), was renamed to reflect this change; it is now the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

 

The collaboration of the two departments provides disciplinary strength as well as diversity to this B.S. program. This program will provide the State of Michigan with graduates educated to actively engage in life science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and industrial productivity. Graduates will be prepared to join a workforce that increasingly demands interdisciplinary and technologically savvy employees in the biochemical, biomedical and molecular biology fields. This program draws on the strength of the existing degree concentrations in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in both the Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments and complements other recent B.S. degree programs in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Cheminformatics, and in Bioinformatics at Michigan Tech. The curricular model for this degree is based directly upon the recommendations forwarded by the ASBMB.

 

3.         Related Programs

The following related programs exist at MTU.

  • B.S. in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry concentration
  • B.S. in Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration (ACS approved)
  • B.S. in Bioinformatics
  • B.S. in Cheminformatics
  • B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • The following related minors are also available

o        Biochemistry (Biological Sciences)

o        Bioprocess Engineering (offered jointly by Chemical Engineering and Biological Sciences)

o        Plant Biotechnology (offered jointly by Department of Biological Sciences and the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science)

 

Related Bachelor of Science Degrees at other State of Michigan Universities

 

Central Michigan University                                                                  

B.S. in Biochemistry  Department of Chemistry

                                                 

 

Eastern Michigan Univ.                                                          

B.S. in General Biochemistry   Department of Chemistry
B.S. in Professional Biochemistry Curriculum   Department of Chemistry
B.S. in Biochemistry/Toxicology Program   Department of Chemistry
B.S. in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology)   Department of Biology

                                  

                      

 

 

Ferris State University

B.A. in Biochemistry    Department of Physical Sciences
B.S. in Biotechnology   Department of Biological Sciences

                                               

           

Grand Valley State Univ.

B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology  Interdisciplinary Program (Chemistry, Biology, & Biological Health
B.S. in Biology (Genetics and Cell/Molecular Biology) Department of Biology    
B.S. in Chemistry (Biochem. and Biotechnology Emphasis) Department of Chemistry

                            

                                                                      

Michigan State Univ.

B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular  Biology/Biotechnology    Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

              

 

 

Northern Michigan University

B.S. in Biochemistry     Department of Chemistry

                                              

 

Oakland University

B.S. in Biochemistry  Interdisciplinary major (Biology & Chemistry)
B.S. in Biology (Cell and Molecular Biology) Department of Biology

                      

                                                                                         

Saginaw Valley State University

B.S. in Biochemistry    Interdisciplinary major

 

                                               

 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

B.S. in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary major (Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology)
B.S./M.S. 5 year program in Cellular and Molecular Biology and
     Biomedical Engineering
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (with Biomedical Engineering)

 

             

 

                      

                       

University of Michigan, Dearborn

B.S. in Biochemistry  Department of Natural Sciences

 

 

             

Univ. of Michigan, Flint

B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology  Department of Biology
B.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry Option) Department of Chemistry

           

                  

 

Wayne State University

B.S. in Biological Sciences (Biotechnology Track) Department of Biological Sciences
B.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry Concentration)  Department of Chemistry

     

 

     

 

Western Michigan University

B.S. in Biochemistry Department of Chemistry

 

 

4.         Projected Enrollment

The current graduates in the biochemistry options between the two departments are 5-7 per year (2003-2004 data). Our goal is to double this graduation rate within a few years. Inquiries from prospective students indicate that the program will attract additional students to Michigan Tech.

 

 

5.         Scheduling Plans

This Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. will be a regular on-campus program offering. The anticipated commencement date is Fall semester 2006.

 

 

6.         Curriculum Design

All students in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology take a common set of core courses.  Additional courses are determined by the choice of concentration: Biological Sciences or Chemistry. This degree is jointly administered by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. Advising is based on concentration interest.

                                                                                     

 

Core Courses 

Credits

 

Orientation
BL/CH 1800 Biochemistry Orientation
Select one of the following:*
     BL 2100 Principles of Biochemistry
                      OR
     CH 4710 Biomolecular Chemistry I

1
3

4

Biological Sciences
BL 1040 Principles of Biology
BL 2220 Genetics
BL 3210 Microbiology
BL 3300 Introduction to Genomics
BL 4030 Molecular Biology
BL 4820 Biochemical Laboratory Techniques
BL 4840 Molecular Biology Techniques


4
3
4
3
3
2
3

22

Chemistry
CH 1110 University Chemistry I
CH 1111 University Chemistry Lab I
CH 1120 University Chemistry II
CH 2410 Organic Chemistry I
CH 2411 Organic Chemistry Lab I
CH 2420 Organic Chemistry II
CH 2421 Organic Chemistry Lab II
CH 3510 Physical Chemistry I
CH 3540 Biophysical Chemistry


4
1
4
3
1
3
2
3
3

24

Physics
PH 1100 Introductory Physics Lab I
PH 1200 Introductory Physics Lab II
PH 2100 University Physics I - Mechanics
PH 2200 University Physics II - E&M


1
1
3
3

8

Mathematics
MA 1150/51 or 1160/61 Calculus I
MA 2150 or 2160 Calculus II


4
4

  8

Computer Science
CS 1121 Intro to Computer Science


3

3

General Education and Distribution
UN 1001 Perspectives
UN 1002 World Cultures
UN 2001 Revisions
UN 2002 Institutions
General Education and Distribution Courses


3
4
3
3
15

28

Total core credits

97

Concentration courses

Chemistry Concentration

Biological Sciences Concentration

CH 3511 Physical Chemistry Lab
CH 3541 Bio Physical Chem Lab
CH 4222 Intro to Quant. and Instrumental Analysis
CH 4720 Biomolecular Chemistry II
CH 4910 Senior Seminar II
CH 4995 Research in Biochemistry
MA 2321 Elementary Linear Algebra
MA 3521 Elementary Differential Equations
2
2
5
3
1
6
2
2
  BL 3240 Cell Biology
Select one of the following:
     BL 3640 Immunology
     BL 4140 Plant Physiology
     BL 4350 Developmental Biology
BL 4010 Biochemistry I
BL 4020 Biochemistry II

BL 4510 Senior Essay
BL 4995 Research in Biochemistry
3
3



3
3
2
3-6
Concentration Credits   
23
 
17-20
 
   
Electives   
8
  Electives
11-14

 

TOTAL credits required 128       (Core, Concentration, Elective)

     

*Students will select one of these courses based on their chosen concentration.

 

GPA calculation:

Students will select a concentration initially to determine advising and GPA determination.

The departmental GPA will be calculated for all students in each concentration using grades from:

A. The core courses in Biological Sciences and Chemistry

AND

B. The cognate courses in the concentration (i.e. all the chemistry (CH) courses in the

     Chemistry concentration

            OR

     all the biology (BL) courses in the  Biological Sciences concentration).

Since this degree is cross-departmental, students will select a concentration, which will determine their department for advising and determination of GPA beyond the core courses.

 

 

7.         New Course Descriptions

Four new courses were submitted through the course change process and approved, BL/CH 1800,
CH 3540, CH 3541, and BL 4995.

 

 

8.         Library and Other Learning Resources

The support from the library for the existing degrees and their biochemistry concentrations is sufficient at present.

 

 

9.         Computing Access Fee

Students selecting their concentration (in Biological Sciences or in Chemistry within this B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) will be designated to that home department. Basic computer access fees will be as designated for the home department.

 

10.       Faculty Curriculum Vitae

Biochemistry associated faculty from the departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry:

John Adler, Ph.D., Professor

Sterol and ecdysteroid biochemistry

            Shiyue Fang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

                        Synthesis of bioactive natural products and oligonucleotide analogs

Michael Gretz, Ph.D., Professor

                        Carbohydrate biochemistry

Donald Lueking, Ph.D., Associate Professor

                        Microbial biochemistry and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism

Pushpalatha Murthy, Ph.D., Professor

Phospholipid and Phosphoinositide metabolism and biochemistry

Martin Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

                        DNA-Protein interactions

Ramakrishna Wusirika, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

                        Comparative and functional genomics, molecular analysis of disease resistance

Heather Youngs, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

                        Enzyme structure/function analysis, plant and fungal biochemistry

Faculty resumes for Biological Sciences are posted online:  http://www.bio.mtu.edu/faculty/index.htm

Faculty resumes for Chemistry are posted online: http://www.chemistry.mtu.edu/pages/faculty/index.php

 

 

11.       Available/Needed Equipment

All equipment required exists within the respective department laboratories.

 

12.       Program Costs: Years 1, 2, and 3

Since the new degree program is based upon existing concentrations, no new costs are expected. Programmatic advertising costs will be borne by the respective departments.

 

13.       Space

No new laboratory or faculty space is required.

 

14.       Policies, Regulations and Rules    None required

 

15.       Accreditation Requirements           None required

 

16.       Internal Status of Proposal

Department of Biological Sciences,   11-11-05          , Date Approved

Department of Chemistry,                  11-11-05          , Date Approved

Dean of Sciences and Arts,                11-14-05          , Date Approved

Vice Provost for Instruction,                                        , Date Approved

Provost,                                                                       , Date Approved

University Support Units,                                            , Date Approved

University Senate,                                                       , Date Approved

Academic Affairs Officers,                                          , Date Approved

Board of Control,                                                         , Date Approved

 

17.       Planned Implementation Date

Fall Semester, 2006.

 

 

Introduced in Senate: 18 January 2006
Adopted by Senate: 1 February 2006
Approved by Administration: 6 February 2006
Approved by BOC: 28 April 2006