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Molecular Biology Director, 2000-01: Anne Walter, Biology, biophysics, membranes, cell physiology Faculty, 2000-01: Beth R.J. Abdella, Chemistry, bio-organic chemistry; Eric S. Cole, Biology, developmental biology; Jeff Dahlseid, Chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry; John Giannini, Biology, cell biology, plant biochemistry; Ted Johnson, Biology, immunology, microbiology; Kim Kandl, Biology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology; Mary Walczak, Chemistry, surface chemistry, monolayers Molecular biology brings together important ideas and approaches to understanding cellular function from the fields of chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology. Central to molecular biology is understanding how, at a molecular level, the genetic composition of a cell is translated into its development and function and even its death. Molecular biologists may focus on the details of nucleic acid structure, the intimate interactions between regulator proteins and DNA, the functional consequences of mutations, the relationship between protein structure and function, the specific molecular morphology of the cell or the control factors that integrate cell functions. The Molecular Biology concentration is an amalgam of upper lever courses from the Biology and Chemistry Departments designed to give each student a broad foundation in the language and tools of molecular biology. This foundation provides the background necessary for many advanced fields in the basic biomedical sciences (molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, etc.) and for graduate work in modern evolutionary biology and population biology. Students interested in medicine, agriculture, genetic counseling or medical ethics will find this a valuable concentration. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION The concentration requires a major in Chemistry or Biology. In completing the major, a student must include or add the following courses: Intermediate Genetics (Biology 233), Biochemistry I and II (Chemistry 379 and 385), Experimental Biochemistry (Chemistry 373) Molecular Biology (Biology 364), and either Physical Chemistry with lab (Chemistry 371, 257) or one of either Developmental Biology (Biology 372) or Cell Physiology (Biology 341). Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor and the program advisor about the appropriate Physics and Mathematics sequences (Calculus I and II at a minimum) for their interests as well as appropriate complementary courses, e.g. Evolutionary Biology (Biology 383). |