Chemistry and Biochemistry

BIOINFORMATICS (CH37)

Requirements for the B. S. Degree in BIOINFORMATICS in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Bioinformatics major offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary training in the new and rapidly evolving field of bioinformatics with a strong focus on chemistry and biochemistry. Bioinformatics is the field of advanced computational and experimental methods that model the flow of information (genetic, metabolic, and regulatory) in living systems to provide an integrated understanding of the systems properties of model organisms. This is a new and rapidly evolving field in which large volumes of both qualitative and quantitative data will accrue at an increasing pace, and the bioinformatician must have a substantial mastery of both the sciences and engineering. This interdisciplinary specialization will be offered jointly with computer science and engineering, bioengineering, and biological sciences, each with its own set of requirements and electives. The program offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is aimed at a student interested in applying and developing tools of bioinformatics for the study of chemical processes in biological systems.

We recommend all students meet with an advisor from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry prior to officially declaring this major.

 

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

Lower-Division Requirements

  1. Calculus and  linear  algebra (MATH 20A-20C, 20F)
  2. General  chemistry including laboratory  (CHEM 6A-C or 6AH-6CH, and 7L)
  3. Physics (PHYS 2A-B)
  4. Biology (BILD 1-2 )
  5. Computer  programming (CSE 11-12)
  6. Mathematics for  algorithm and  systems (CSE 21/Math. 15B)
  7. Bioinformatics seminar (BILD 94)

The department recommends that students complete an introductory C programming course before taking CSE 11 and CSE 12, either in their first year or during the summer between their first and second years.

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Two quarters of  organic  chemistry (CHEM 140A-140B)
  2. Organic  chemistry (CHEM 140C) or structural  biochemistry (CHEM 114A)
  3. Metabolic  biochemistry (CHEM 114B)
  4. Physical  chemistry (CHEM 127 accepted, CHEM 131 and 132 recommended)
  5. Molecular and  cellular  biochemistry (CHEM 114D)
  6. Two quarters of  biochemistry  laboratory (CHEM 108-109)
  7. Genetics (BICD 100)
  8. Cell Biology (BICD 110)
  9. Two computer science courses (CSE 100 or MATH 176; and CSE 101 or MATH 188)
  10. Two additional upper-division electives offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (each course must be at least four units) with only one quarter of credit allowed for any given course. Recommended courses are CHEM 100A, 118, and 143A.

The bioinformatics series comprising the following courses:

11.  Molecular sequence analysis (BIMM 181 or CSE 181 or BENG 181)
12.  Biological databases (CHEM 182 or BIMM 182 or CSE 182 or BENG 182)
13.  Applied genomic technologies (BENG 183)
14.  Computational molecular biology (CHEM 184 or BIMM 184 or CSE 184 or BENG 184)
15.  Bioinformatics lab (BIMM 185)
16. Probability and statistics (MATH 186)


Suggested Program for Bioinformatics in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

(Talk to your college for planning general education courses)

Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.

FALL

WINTER

SPRING
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 6A CHEM 6B CHEM 6C
MATH 20A MATH 20B CHEM 7L

BILD 1
 MATH 20C


BILD 94
SOPHOMORE YEAR
CSE 11*
 CHEM 140A CHEM 109**
BILD 2
 CSE 12
 CHEM 140B
PHYS 2A PHYS 2B CSE 21/MATH 15B



JUNIOR YEAR
CHEM 114A/140C*
 CHEM 114B**
 Elective
BICD 100
 CHEM 114D**
 BIMM 181/BENG 181/CSE 181
CSE 100/MATH 176**
 MATH 186
 BICD 110
MATH 20F
 CSE 101/MATH 188
SENIOR YEAR
CHEM 182/BIMM 182/BENG 182/CSE 182
 CHEM 108** BIMM 185
CHEM 183 CHEM 127**
 Elective

CHEM 184/BIMM 184/BENG 184/CSE 184

* Best time to study abroad. Education Abroad Program deadlines for upcoming year vary by country. See EAP website.  See the Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Advisor for assistance in planning to study abroad.
** Certain prerequisite courses are waived for the bioinformatics majors. See the departmental advisor for more
information.

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