Office of the University Registrar

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
College of Medicine

The department offers a full program of courses for the undergraduate student preparing for advanced degrees in the biological, agricultural and life sciences and for professional school.

The major course offering, BCH 4024, is designed to provide students with a general background in biochemistry and molecular biology for professional school or advanced studies in specialized areas.

The department offers an independent interdisciplinary major in biochemistry and molecular biology, in cooperation with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to those undergraduates with strong interests in cell processes, molecular biology, metabolism or physical or structural biochemistry (See Biochemistry and Molecular Biology entry under Majors).

Undergraduate students in other majors who are interested in a research career in biochemistry and molecular biology should take BCH 4024 as early in their undergraduate program as possible. Students interested in supplementing these didactic course offerings with laboratory research experience can register for BMS 4905 after obtaining department approval. Further information on such research opportunities, advanced study and early admission can be obtained from the undergraduate studies coordinator.

Students with interests in medicine or other health sciences may also choose to enroll in the interdisciplinary major program and should contact the assistant dean for preprofessional education in the College of Medicine at the end of the sophomore year or at the beginning of the junior year.

BCH 4024 Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credits: 4; Prereq: CHM 2211 or CHM 3217, or instructor permission.
An introduction to physical biochemistry, intermediary metabolism and molecular biology. Topics include a survey of structure, chemistry and function of proteins and nucleic acids, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis; a survey of the pathways of carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism and their metabolic control; regulation of gene expression at the level of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis.
BCH 4905 Biochemistry Senior Research
Credits: 1 to 7; can be repeated with change in content up to 15 credits; Prereq: CHM 2210, CHM 2211, CHM 3215, CHM 3216 and CHM 3217 or the equivalent, BCH 4024 and interdisciplinary major status.
Laboratory investigations of biochemical problems of current interest. Senior thesis required.

General Education Categories

Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not completed six hours of international/diversity (I) credits can do so now by taking D and N courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR): the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR): the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U): the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.