Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

The curriculum in Biochemistry is administered by the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Biochemists seek to understand life at the molecular level, including the detailed structures of biological molecules and the chemical reactions in which they participate. They study the molecules of living systems of all kinds, from the simplest viruses and bacteria to higher plants and animals. In their work, biochemists use experimental tools ranging from X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance to bioinformatics and genetic engineering. Biochemistry is a dynamic and diverse field that has become the basic discipline for the life sciences, and biochemists have made significant discoveries that relate to medicine, agriculture and the environment.

Biochemistry
Genetics

Biochemistry (BICH)

BICH 101/GENE 101 Introduction to Biochemical and Genetics Research Methods

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Foundational concepts for biochemistry and genetics research methods; topics include principles of the scientific method, experimental design, analytical tools, and logical thinking, with a special focus on the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in biochemical and genetics research. Prerequisites: Freshman classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: GENE 101/BICH 101.

BICH 102/GENE 102 Introduction to Biochemical and Genetic Techniques

Credit 1. 2 Lab Hours. Introduction to biochemistry and genetics essential techniques; concepts learned from BICH/GENE 101/BICH 101 utilized in practical laboratory situations to understand the relevance and use of these techniques in real-world research settings. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BICH 101/GENE 101 or GENE 101/BICH 101; freshman classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: GENE 102/BICH 102.

BICH 201/GENE 201 Introduction to Information Literacy and Artificial Intelligence Tools for Biochemistry and Genetics

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Introduction to essential skills and knowledge for effective learning, information retrieval, evaluation, and utilization of AI tools in the fields of biochemistry and genetics; developing critical thinking abilities, learning to navigate scientific literature, evaluating the credibility of information sources, and leveraging AI tools to enhance their research and problem-solving capabilities. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BICH 102/GENE 102 or GENE 102/BICH 102; sophomore classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: GENE 201/BICH 201.

BICH 202/GENE 202 Biochemical and Genetic Concepts in Medicine - Case Studies

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Exploration of the link between fundamental genetic and biochemical processes and disease states, using case studies of several human diseases; deeper comprehension and critical thinking about molecular causes of diseases and treatment strategies. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BICH 201/GENE 201 or GENE 201/BICH 201; sophomore classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: GENE 202/BICH 202.

BICH 285 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Introduction to laboratory research. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification in biochemistry or approval of instructor.

BICH 291 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in Biochemistry. May be taken three times for credit. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.

BICH 303 Elements of Biological Chemistry

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Survey of the biochemical sciences designed for the non-biochemistry major; overview of the chemistry and metabolism of biologically important molecules, the biochemical basis of life processes, cellular metabolism and regulation. Students requiring biochemistry in greater depth should register for BICH 410 and BICH 411. Prerequisites: CHEM 222, CHEM 227 or CHEM 257; not open to biochemistry majors.

BICH 403 Cellular Biophysics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Current topics in cellular biophysics and systems biology; quantitative and predictive perspectives of cellular life; basic tools of biophysics such as fluorescence imaging and data analysis. Prerequisites: BIOL 112 and MATH 152; BICH 440 or concurrent enrollment.

BICH 404 Biochemical Calculations

Credits 2. 2 Lecture Hours. Quantitative and computational approaches to biochemical problems. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in BICH 440 or concurrent enrollment; junior or senior classification.

BICH 406 Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Interactions

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Current topics in biomolecules, natural product antibiotics and application in infectious diseases, modern and historical approaches to antibiotic discovery, biomedical glycobiology, glycosylation in diseases and pathobiology. Prerequisites: BICH 441.

BICH 409 Principles of Biochemistry

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. A rigorous, survey of topics in biochemistry; topics include structure and function of molecules within living cells, major metabolic pathways and their regulation and role in disease; provides preparation for advanced study in the health sciences. Prerequisites: CHEM 228 or CHEM 258.

BICH 410 Comprehensive Biochemistry I

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour. Structure, function and chemistry of proteins and carbohydrates; kinetics, mechanisms and regulation of enzymes; metabolism of carbohydrates. Not open to biochemistry or genetics majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 228 or CHEM 258; junior or senior classification.

BICH 411 Comprehensive Biochemistry II

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. 1 Lab Hour. A continuation of BICH 410; structure, function, chemistry and metabolism of lipids and nucleic acids; cellular metabolism viewed from the standpoint of energetics and control mechanisms; interrelationships of metabolic pathways. Prerequisite: BICH 410; not open to biochemistry or genetics majors.

BICH 412 Biochemistry Laboratory I

Credit 1. 3 Lab Hours. Selected methods used to identify, isolate, purify and characterize biomolecules. Not open to biochemistry or genetics majors. Prerequisite: BICH 410 or registration therein.

BICH 414 Biochemical Techniques I

Credits 2. 6 Lab Hours. Analysis of the effects of charge on protein function and stability; techniques include site-directed mutagenesis, protein purification, affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE, enzyme kinetics, MALDI-TOF, molecular modeling, and protein folding. Prerequisites: BICH 440, BICH 409, or BICH 410; major in biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and molecular and cell biology.

BICH 416/GENE 416 Mechanisms of Cell Division

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Mitotic cell cycle; progression of biochemical and morphological phases and events; duplication of cellular constituents and segregation into daughter cells. Prerequisites: BICH 409, BICH 410, or BICH 440; junior or senior classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: GENE 416/BICH 416.

BICH 419/GENE 419 Computational Techniques for Evolutionary Analysis

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Computational techniques for studying evolution; algorithms for construction and analysis of evolutionary relationships. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: GENE 419/BICH 419.

BICH 420/GENE 420 Bioethics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. The application of ethical theory to the use of modern genetics and biochemistry stressing the social implications of genetic engineering, agricultural manipulation and biotechnology. Prerequisites: GENE 302 or GENE 303; BICH 409, BICH 410, or BICH 440. Cross Listing: GENE 420/BICH 420.

BICH 431/GENE 431 Molecular Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Molecular basis for inheritance; gene structure and function, chromosomal organization, replication and repair of DNA, transcription and translation, the genetic code, regulation of gene expression, genetic differentiation and genetic manipulations. Prerequisite: BICH 409, BICH 410, or BICH 440; GENE 301, GENE 302, GENE 303, GENE 320/BIMS 320 or BIMS 320/GENE 320. Cross Listing: GENE 431/BICH 431.

BICH 432/GENE 432 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics

Credits 2. 6 Lab Hours. Laboratory for molecular genetics providing technical experience with tools of molecular biology. Prerequisite: GENE 301, GENE 302, GENE 303, BIMS 320/GENE 320 or GENE 320/BIMS 320; BICH 431/GENE 431 or GENE 431/BICH 431. Cross Listing: GENE 432/BICH 432.

BICH 440 Biochemistry I

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Rigorous treatment of the structure, function and chemistry of proteins and carbohydrates; kinetics, mechanisms and regulation of enzymes; metabolism of carbohydrates; designed for biochemistry and genetics majors. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CHEM 228 or CHEM 258; grade of C or better in BICH 404 or concurrent enrollment.

BICH 441 Biochemistry II

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Continuation of BICH 440; structure, function, chemistry and metabolism of lipids and nucleic acids, cellular metabolism viewed from the standpoint of energetics and control mechanisms; interrelationships of metabolic pathways. Course designed for biochemistry and genetics majors and honors students only. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in BICH 440.

BICH 450/BIOL 450 Genomics

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. The study of genomic data includes consideration of the logic behind the most important genomic approaches, as well as their capabilities and limitations in investigating biological processes; the science of accessing and manipulating genomic data; and practical applications, including development of an hypotheses-driven datamining experiment. Prerequisites: BIOL 213, GENE 301 or GENE 302, BICH 431/GENE 431 or GENE 431/BICH 431, or BIOL 351; junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: BIOL 450/BICH 450.

BICH 456 Ribonucleic Acid World

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Emphasis on novel roles and mechanisms of newly discovered Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) species including non-coding RNA's; RNA silencing, circular RNA's, RNA guided epigenetic regulation, clustered regulary interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas immunity, genome editing, telomerase biogenesis, riboswitches, exosome, editosome and RNA remodeling. Prerequisites: GENE 301, GENE 302, or GENE 303; BICH 410, BICH 440, BIOL 351, or BIOL 413.

BICH 460/BIOL 460 Creating Annotations through Critical Analysis of Original Research

Credit 1. 2 Lab Hours. Critical reading and annotation of the biological literature; annotation using ontologies as structured controlled vocabularies for the organization of biological data; area of focus may vary at instructors discretion. May be taken two times for credit. Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 112, or equivalent; junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: BIOL 460/BICH 460.

BICH 464/GENE 464 Bacteriophage Genomics

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. Examination of the latest technologies in genomic analysis by sequencing and annotating the genomes of novel bacterial viruses (phage); generates real data which will be submitted to the NIH/NCBI public database; includes phage biology and potential uses. Prerequisites: GENE 302 or GENE 303; BIOL 351 or concurrent enrollment. Cross Listing: GENE 464/BICH 464.

BICH 485 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Directed study in biochemistry not included in established courses. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; approval of instructor and department head.

BICH 489 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 4 Lab Hours. Selected topics in an identified area of biochemistry, biophysics or nutrition. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification in life or physical sciences.

BICH 491 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Laboratory research supervised by faculty in biochemistry or biophysics. Prerequisite: Biochemistry major.

Genetics (GENE)

GENE 101/BICH 101 Introduction to Biochemical and Genetics Research Methods

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Foundational concepts for biochemistry and genetics research methods; topics include principles of the scientific method, experimental design, analytical tools, and logical thinking, with a special focus on the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in biochemical and genetics research. Prerequisite: Freshman classification in biochemistry or genetics. Cross Listing: BICH 101/GENE 101.

GENE 102/BICH 102 Introduction to Biochemical and Genetic Techniques

GENE 201/BICH 201 Introduction to Information Literacy and Artificial Intelligence Tools for Biochemistry and Genetics

GENE 202/BICH 202 Biochemical and Genetic Concepts in Medicine - Case Studies

GENE 285 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Introduction to laboratory research. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification in genetics or approval of instructor.

GENE 291 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in genetics. May be taken three times for credit. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.

GENE 301 Comprehensive Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Survey of the fundamental principles of genetics: Physical basis of Mendelian inheritance, expression and interaction of genes, linkage, sex linkage, biochemical nature of genetic material and mutation. Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: GENE 301, GENE 302, GENE 315 or GENE 320/BIMS 320. Not open to biochemistry or genetics majors. Prerequisite: BIOL 111.

GENE 302 Principles of Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Mechanisms of inheritance, stressing the conservation of fundamental genetic processes throughout evolution, from bacteria to humans; mutations and phenotypes, Mendelian genetics, population genetics and evolution, and complex inheritance. Course designed for biochemistry, genetics and all majors in biology. Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: GENE 301, GENE 302, GENE 315 or GENE 320/BIMS 320. Prerequisite: BIOL 112; concurrent enrollment in GENE 314.

GENE 303 Fundamentals of Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Exploration of mechanisms of inheritance and Mendelian genetics; topics include the conservation of fundamental genetic processes throughout evolution, the relationship between mutations and phenotypes, principles of population genetics and complex inheritance, along with other topics. Prerequisites: BIOL 112; grade of C or better in GENE 314 or concurrent enrollment; biochemistry or genetics majors.

GENE 310 Principles of Heredity

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Basic principles of classical genetics, molecular genetics, mutation theory and genetic engineering; emphasis on humans and society. Not open to biochemistry and genetics majors. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

GENE 312 Comprehensive Genetics Laboratory

Credit 1. 0 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. Exercises in Mendelian genetics, meiosis, probability theory in pedigrees, population and quantitative genetics, as well as interaction of genes and linkage; molecular techniques to examine DNA and analyze genetic outcomes Prerequisite: GENE 301 or concurrent enrollment.

GENE 314 Principles of Genetics Laboratory

Credit 1. 3 Lab Hours. Exercises in Mendelian genetics including population genetics, evolution from bacteria to humans, conservation of fundamental genetic processes, and mutations; molecular techniques to examine DNA and analyze outcomes including complex inheritance and diagnostics. Prerequisites: GENE 302, GENE 303, or concurrent enrollment; biochemistry, genetics and biology majors.

GENE 320/BIMS 320 Biomedical Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Study of modern genetics with an emphasis on biomedical and health-related applications of the mammalian genome. Topics include classical Mendelian inheritance, pedigree and genetic risk analysis, population genetics, quantitative genetics and the molecular basis of gene structure and function, including DNA replication, transcription, mutation and gene regulation. The course examines how genetic variation and chromosomal abnormalities contribute to disease and phenotypic diversity, and introduces advanced concepts in cytogenetics, epigenetics, cancer genetics and genomics. Contemporary applications such as genome sequencing, gene therapy, personalized medicine and associated ethical considerations are also addressed. Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: GENE 301, GENE 302, GENE 315, GENE-320 or BIMS-320. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in CHEM 228 or CHEM 258; PHYS 207 or grade of C or better in PHYS 202; junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: BIMS 320/GENE 320.

GENE 405/BIMS 405 Mammalian Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Emphasis on current research and technology application in comparative mammalian genetics and genomics including advanced reproduction technologies and cloning, animal models of disease, biodiversity and functional genetics, cancer genetics, conservation, coat color genetics, cytogenetics, development and stem cells, domestication, epigenetics and gene regulation, forensics applications, genomic medicine, genomics and computational analysis, sex determination and sex chromosomes. Prerequisites: GENE 302, BIMS 320/GENE 320 or GENE 320/BIMS 320; junior or senior classification in biomedical sciences, genetics, biochemistry and biology. Cross Listing: BIMS 405/GENE 405.

GENE 406/BIOL 406 Bacterial Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. A problem oriented course surveying the manipulation and mechanisms of genetic systems in bacteria; recombination, gene structure and regulation of bacterial genes, plasmids and phages. Prerequisites: GENE 302; BIOL 351. Cross Listing: BIOL 406/GENE 406.

GENE 411/SCSC 411 Biotechnology for Crop Improvement

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Use of biotechnology to improve agricultural, horticultural and forest crops; techniques and methods used and case studies where biotechnology has been used to alter traits such as pathogen resistance, protein or oil consumption, ripening, fertility and wood properties. Prerequisite: BIOL 111 or equivalent, or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: SCSC 411/GENE 411.

GENE 412 Population, Quantitative and Ecological Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Concepts of population, quantitative and ecological genetics including dynamics of natural populations with emphasis on quantitative effects and ecological interactions. Prerequisites: GENE 301, GENE 302, or GENE 303.

GENE 416/BICH 416 Mechanisms of Cell Division

GENE 419/BICH 419 Computational Techniques for Evolutionary Analysis

GENE 420/BICH 420 Bioethics

GENE 421/BIMS 421 Advanced Human Genetics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. A rigorous, analytical approach to genetic analysis of humans including diagnosis and management of genetic disease in humans; transmission of genes in human populations; human cytogenetics; the structure of human genes; human gene mapping; molecular analysis of genetic disease; genetics screening and counseling. Prerequisites: GENE 302; BICH 410 or BICH 440. Cross Listing: BIMS 421/GENE 421.

GENE 431/BICH 431 Molecular Genetics

GENE 432/BICH 432 Laboratory in Molecular Genetics

GENE 464/BICH 464 Bacteriophage Genomics

GENE 485 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Other Hours. Directed study in genetics not included in established courses. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; approval of instructor and department head.

GENE 489 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. Selected topics in an identified area of genetics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

GENE 491 Research

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Laboratory research supervised by a faculty member. Prerequisites: Major in genetics; junior or senior classification in genetics or approval of instructor.

Ayres, Nicola M, Principal Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, 1987

Cho, Jae H, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 2006

Cruz-Reyes, Jorge A, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 1992

Devarenne, Timothy P, Senior Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Kentucky, 2000

Dong, Juan, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of California, Riverside, 2005

Glasner, Margaret E, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003

Gohil, Vishal M, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Wayne State University, 2005

Henderson, Michelle, Principal Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2010

Herman, Jennifer K, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Indiana University, 2005

Igumenova, Tatyana I, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Columbia University, 2003

Jaffri, Roop, Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Michigan, 2021

Koff, Melissa, Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2024

Kurouski, Dzmitry L, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, State University of New York at Albany, 2012

Lee, Miok, Senior Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Seoul National University, Korea, 2021
PHD, Seoul National University, Korea, 2008

Li, Pingwei, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Peking University, 1996

Meek, Thomas D, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 1981

Miles, Bryant W, Principal Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1998

Monagas-Valentin, Pedro, Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2025

Mullet, John E, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1981

Panin, Vladislav M, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Moscow State University, 1990

Park, William D, Senior Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Florida, 1977

Pellois, Jean-Philippe, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Houston, 2002

Perez, Stephanie A, Senior Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012

Pishko, E. Jane, Senior Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Texas, 1993

Polymenis, Michael S, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Tufts University, 1994

Reynolds, Mollie M, Principal Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2010

Rye, Chavela M, Instructional Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Massachusetss Institute of Technology, 2014

Rye, Hays S, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of California at Berkeley, 1995

Sacchettini, James C, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Washington University in St. Louis, 1987

Sivaram, Gargi, Lecturer
Biochemistry & Biophysics
BS, University of Washington, 2020

Straight, Paul D, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Colorado, 2000

Sui, Xuewu, Assistant Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Case Western Reserve University, 2016

Wand, Josh, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Pennsylvania, 1984

Wehman, Ann, Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of California, San Francisco, 2006

Zeng, Lanying, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007

Zhang, Junjie, Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Baylor College of Medicine, 2009

Zhou, Bo, Assistant Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Stanford University School of Medicine, 2014

Zhu, Mingyuan, Assistant Professor
Biochemistry & Biophysics
PHD, Cornell University, 2020