Biochemistry and Biophysics

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Please note: The third and fourth year of the program vary depending upon which semester students choose to take away following The Arch Summer classes. Please note the following:

• If students are planning to be away during the Fall semester of their junior year, they should take the courses listed for each term plus any courses listed under the Fall Away Track for years three and four of their program.
• If students are planning to be away during the Spring semester of their junior year, they should take the courses listed for each term plus any courses listed under the Spring Away Track for years three and four of their program.

Fourth Year

The total credits must add up to 128.

Footnotes

1. Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Core Electives: A total of 24 credits of HASS Core Electives should be taken. Students should take an Inquiry course during their first year. For a listing of HASS Inquiry courses go to: https://info.rpi.edu/hass-inquiry. In addition, students should take a HASS Communications Intensive course during their first three semesters.
2. Students who apply Advanced Placement credits in place of BIOL 1010  and BIOL 1015  may take BIOL 2120  and BIOL 2125  in its place.
3. Students must take 1 of the following Laboratory courses alongside BIOL 1010  Introduction to Biology: BIOL 1015  Introduction to Biology Laboratory OR BIOL 1016  Introduction to Biology Computational Laboratory. Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Biological Neuroscience majors, and/or students seeking a hands-on wet-lab experience are reccomended to register for BIOL 1015 . Computational Biology majors, Non-biology students, and/or students who seek to enhance their skills in data analysis are reccomended to register for BIOL 1016  . Students cannot get credit for both BIOL 1015 and 1016.  
4. Students may substitute Macroscopic or Microscopic Physical Chemistry (CHEM 4410  or CHEM 4420 ).
5. Senior Research Thesis (BCBP 4990 ) is recommended; however, students may substitute with any of the BIOL, BCBP, or CHEM courses listed below.
6. Restricted Electives: at least 6 credits in science or engineering. Restricted electives must be 4000 level courses. Molecular Biophysics Modules, Laboratory Option, and the Quantitative Option may be taken in different semesters than those shown if electives are shifted. Only 2 credits from research, mentoring, or independent study courses may count toward this requirement.
7. Molecular Biochemistry I & II, Molecular Biophysics Modules, and Laboratory Options cannot be satisfied with transfer credits.
8. The Advanced Lab Option fulfills the Communication Intensive (CI) in major requirement and the Culminating Experience requirement.

Molecular Biophysics Modules - Choose 2

• BCBP 4310 - Genetic Engineering Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4550 - Molecular Modeling Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4600 - Data Analytics Credit Hours: 3
• BCBP 4660 - The Biology of Systems Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4800 - Methods in Biophysics Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4870 - Protein Structure Determination Credit Hours: 4

Quantitative Option (Choose 1)

• CSCI 1100 - Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 2010 - Multivariable Calculus and Matrix Algebra Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 2400 - Introduction to Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 4720 - Mathematics in Medicine and Biology Credit Hours: 4

Advanced Laboratory Option (Choose 1)

• BCBP 4710 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit Hours: 6
• BIOL 4720 - Molecular Biology Laboratory Credit Hours: 6

Courses That Can Be Taken in Lieu of Senior Research Thesis (BIOL 4990)

• BCBP 4310 - Genetic Engineering Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4660 - The Biology of Systems Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4800 - Methods in Biophysics Credit Hours: 4
• BCBP 4870 - Protein Structure Determination Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4100 - From Neuron to Behavior Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4150 - Cellular Neuroscience Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4220 - Machine Learning for Environmental Biology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4250 - Developmental Biology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4260 - Advanced Cell Biology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4270 - Human Physiology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4310 - Microbiology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4350 - Virology Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4540 - Sequence Analysis Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4550 - Molecular Modeling Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4630 - Molecular Biology II Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4660 - The Biology of Systems Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4860 - Evolution Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4870 - Lake George Limnology and Underwater Ecology (BLUE) Credit Hours: 4
• BIOL 4960 - Topics in Biology Credit Hours: 4