Nov 17, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2024-2025

Biochemistry and Biophysics, B.S.


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Rensselaer’s Biochemistry and Biophysics undergraduate curriculum includes thorough grounding in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, along with modern biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular-level biology. Courses train students in cutting-edge research approaches to biological problems.

First Year


Fall


Spring


Second Year


Fall


Spring


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.

The Arch Summer Semester*


*For more information on the ARCH process, please click here: The Arch 

 

Fall Away Track


Spring Away Track


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall or Spring


  • Restricted Elective: Credit Hours 2 6
     

Fall Away Track


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4 1
     

Spring Away Track


  • Free Elective: Credit Hours 4

Fall or Spring


Fourth Year


Fall


Fall Away Track


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring Away Track


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4 1
     

Spring


  • Molecular Biophysics Module Credit Hours: 4 7
    (See Course List below)
  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4 1
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall Away Track


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring Away Track


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 BIOL 1015  OR BIOL 1016 . 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 (CHEM 4410  or CHEM 4420 ).
  5. 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 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


Advanced Laboratory Option (Choose 1)


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