The BBMB major at Whitman College: 

 The molecular life sciences have  roots in the core disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. Since 1991, the Whitman College curriculum has included a rigorous course of study in the molecular life sciences by offering a combined major in biology and chemistry. With the addition of biophysics to the curriculum in 2002, we crafted BBMB as a new interdisciplinary program.  Introductory courses in biology, chemistry, math, and physics provide the foundation for the major.  The junior and senior year includes the core courses of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology, along with electives in the area of interest for each student.  The major concludes with a senior seminar that explores the newest developments in this rapidly changing field and provides a forum for students to present their senior research projects to faculty and students. 

Required courses for the BBMB major:

Biology:  111, 205
Chemistry  125, 135, 126, 136, OR  140;  245, 251, 246, 252
Physics 155, 156 OR 165, 166
Mathematics 125, 126, 225

BBMB 324, 325, 326, 334, 335, 336, 400, and three credits of 490 or 498

Electives:  at least seven additional credits taken from biology, chemistry or physics courses numbered 200 and above and approved by the BBMB faculty. The P-D-F grade option is not allowed for any BBMB, biology, chemistry, or physics course that can apply to the BBMB major

Comprehensive major exam requirements: In the senior year, all BBMB majors must take a senior comprehensive exam containing both an oral and written component. The written component consists of the GRE exam in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology. A score in the 20th percentile or higher is required to Pass. The oral exam consist of a one-hour comprehensive question exam with two or more participating faculty.

 
        ↑Biol-Chem Major begins                                              ↑BBMB Major begins 

The following is a sample schedule to illustrate how students might complete the BBMB major. 

NOTES: 
*  Chem 140 and 240 can be substituted for Chem 125,135,126,136
%  Biol 111 can be taken Spring yr 1 OR Fall yr 2 (prior to Biol 205)
#   Math 225 and Biol 205 can be taken Fall/Spring of yr 2 or Fall yr 3
¶   Phys 165 & 166 can be substituted for Phys 155,156


Electives may include:

BBMB 430 Special Topics: Infectious Diseases

Biol 308 Cell Physiology & Signaling             Chem     240 Quant Anal/Chem Equil
      309 Cell Biology                                               320  Instrumental Anal
      310 Physiology                                                345, 346 Physical Chem I and II
      320 Neurobiology                                            360  Adv Inorganic
      329 Developmental Biology                               388 Environmental Chem
      330 Pathophysiology   
      339 Microbiology and Immunology
      350 Evolutionary Biology          
               
Phys 245, 246  Twentieth Century Physics
       318 Computational Physics
       325, 326 Electricity and Magnetism
       348 Optics
       357 Thermal Physics                                        rev 04/08

BBMB Course Descriptions

324 Biophysics
x, 3 D Juers or D Smith
This course presents the molecular side of the broad field of biophysics, in which physical concepts are applied to biological systems. Topics may include thermodynamics, equilibrium, quantum mechanics, statisti-cal mechanics, classical mechanics and spectroscopy of biological systems such as membranes, proteins, and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: Physics 155or 165, 156 or 166; Biology 111 or consent of instructor.

325 Biochemistry
x, 3 J Russo
The first semester of a yearlong sequence on the biochemistry and molecular biology of the living cell. Topics include an introduction to the techniques used to study biological macromolecules; characterization, structure, and function of proteins; enzyme kinetics, mechanisms, and regulation; composition of biological membranes; bioenergetics; and catabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Biology 111, Chemistry 246.

326 Molecular Biology
3, x D Vernon
The second semester of a yearlong sequence on the biochemistry and molecular biology of the living cell. Topics include a detailed examination of DNA and RNA, the mechanism of DNA replication, transcription and translation, the control of gene expression in procaryotes and eucaryotes, the molecular biology of vi-ruses, oncogenes/cancer, mobile genetic elements, and genomics. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Biology 205 and BBMB 325.

334 Biophysics Laboratory
x, 1 D Juers or D SMith
Laboratory exercises on a range of biophysical topics. Physical characterization of macromolecules using techniques that may include absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic reso-nance, circular dichroism, crystallization and x-ray diffraction. Mathematical modeling and simulation of small molecules, macromolecules, and fluctuations in biological systems. Co-requisite: BBMB 324. Required of BBMB majors. Open to other students only with consent of instructor.

335 Biochemistry Laboratory
x, 1 J Russo
Laboratory exercises in protein biochemistry, which will include biochemical reagent preparation, en-zyme isolation and purification, enzyme and protein assays, and gel electrophoresis. One three- to four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Biology 111 and Chemistry 136 or 140; Co-requisite: BBMB 325. Chemis-try 240 is strongly recommended. Required of BBMB majors. Open to other students only with consent of instructor.

336 Molecular Biology Laboratory
1, x D Vernon
Laboratory exercises in nucleic acid biochemistry, with emphasis on molecular cloning and PCR techniques. One three- to four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BBMB 335; Co-requisite: BBMB 326.

400 BBMB Senior Seminar
x, 2 D Juers, J Russo, D Smith, D Vernon
A team-taught seminar which will present recent developments in the molecular life sciences, such as bioinformatics, drug design, genomics, or self-assembly processes. In addition to participation in discussion, students will contribute oral presentations of recent research articles and of the senior research project. Re-quired of BBMB seniors. Open to other students with consent of instructors.

430 Current Topics in Biochemistry: Infectious Disease
3, x J Russo
The role of infectious disease in human mortality and morbidity. Discussion topics include: epidemiology and etiology of disease, cellular targets of microbial infection, immune responses, design and mechanisms of action of antibiotic drugs, drug resistance, the development of vaccines for disease prevention, and the ethical dilemmas and social consequences of infectious disease. Case studies may include polio, influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and HIV. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Distribution area: science or alterna-tive voices.

490 Senior Research
1-3, 1-3 Staff
Each student will collect data and write a thesis on his or her research in accepted scientific style. One or more initial drafts of the thesis will be required before the final version is due in the last week of classes. Each student will also give a short presentation of his/her results in a public forum. Prerequisite: consent of the research adviser.

498 Honors Thesis
3, 3 Staff
Required of senior honors candidates, who will conduct more extensive research than students who take only BBMB 490. Honors students will finish data collection and write a thesis on the research in accepted scientific style. One or more initial drafts of the thesis will be required before the final version is due in the library. Presentation of results in a public forum to the staff and other BBMB majors is required. Credit cannot be earned simultaneously for BBMB 498 and 490. Prerequisites: consent of the research adviser, and admis-sion to honors candidacy.