IACC
Room 334
The Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center is located on the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Albrecht Boulevard (Campus Map)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry is concerned with the chemistry of the materials fundamental to life and contributes toward the understanding of the structure and functioning of all organisms. Because of the rapid advances in the areas of biotechnology, molecular biology and genetic engineering, biochemistry is an exciting area for study and research.
Background Information
The undergraduate program in biochemistry at North Dakota State University is planned for students who are seeking careers in the life sciences, agriculture, medicine or health related activities. The program is also suited for students who are contemplating advanced graduate degrees in biochemistry, botany, zoology and microbiology, or professional degrees in dentistry and medicine.
The biochemistry program is offered by the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, which was recently formed by a merger of the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
The Program
Students with an interest in biochemistry earn the B.S. degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. This provides flexibility in the selection of courses for those students who plan to seek employment in areas related to biochemistry, enter graduate or medical school or teach in high schools or colleges. The program provides for training in biochemistry, botany, microbiology, zoology or in applied areas according to the student's interest. In addition to the courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics, 16 credits in biological sciences, 18 credits of electives in the humanities and social sciences, plus nine credits in English, three credits in speech and two credits in wellness are required. The pre-medical student is encouraged to take a year of upper-level zoology.
All undergraduates in biochemistry and molecular biology receive help in planning and scheduling classes from faculty advisers. In addition to course work and laboratory courses, students also have the opportunity to learn by conducting research in various areas of biochemistry under faculty guidance.
Faculty and Facilities
The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology is well staffed with 16 faculty members. All of the faculty have doctorate degrees from well-known universities. Most of them have considerable experience in postdoctoral or industrial research.
The research and teaching facilities for the department are housed in three buildings—Ladd Hall, Dunbar Laboratories, and the Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center. A chemistry library containing approximately 10,000 volumes and 280 scientific and technical journals is located in Ladd Hall.
Advanced instruments and facilities are readily available. These include ultracentrifuges; gene synthesizer; nuclear magnetic, infrared, ultraviolet and mass spectrometers; gas and liquid chromatographs; computers; recombinant DNA and cell and tissue culture laboratories; and an advanced electron microscope facility.
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities for biochemists are found in colleges in the chemistry, biochemistry and biological sciences departments; in medical schools, hospitals, research institutes and government research laboratories; and in other health, energy, environment and agricultural research programs. Biochemists are employed at all levels in industries concerned with food processing, manufacturing, genetic engineering and marketing of drugs, cosmetics and pesticides, as well as in the petroleum and allied industrial complexes.
Earnings of persons trained in biochemistry vary, and the salary level depends largely upon the amount of formal training a person has received. Entry-level salaries for biochemists are typically $35,000 to $45,000, based on 2006 data from salary.hotjobs.com. For biochemists who have an advanced degree, salaries and opportunities are much greater.
High School Preparation
A strong high school background in English, mathematics (through trigonometry, if possible), biology, chemistry and physics is recommended.
- Biol. 150, 150L - General Biology I and Lab 4 -
- Biol. 151, 151L - General Biology II and Lab - 4
- Chem. 150, 160 - Principles of Chemistry I and Lab 4 -
- Chem. 151, 161 - Principles of Chemistry II and Lab - 4
- Engl. 120 - College Composition II 3 -
- Math. 165, 166 - Calculus I, II 4 4
- Univ. 189 - Skills for Academic Success 1 -
- General Education Electives* - 3
- Totals16 15
- Chem. 341, 341L - Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4 -
- Chem. 342 342L - Organic Chemistry II and Lab - 4
- Comm. 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking - 3
- Engl. 324 - Writing in the Sciences 3 -
- Phys. 251, 251L - University Physics I and Lab 5 -
- Phys. 252, 252L - University Physics II and Lab - 5
- Zoo. 315 - Genetics 3 -
- General Education Elective* - 3
- Totals15 15
- Bioc. 460, 461 - Foundations of Biochemistry and
- Molecular Biology I, II 4 4
- Bioc. 474 - Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology - 3 <
- Chem. 380 - Junior Chemistry/Biochemistry Seminar - 1
- Chem. 431, 431L - Analytical Chemistry I and Lab 5 -
- Micr. 350, 350L - General Microbiology and Lab 4 -
- General Education Electives* 3 3
- Science Elective* - 3
- Wellness - 2
- Totals16 16
- Bioc. 465 - Principles of Physical Chemistry and Biophysics 4 -
- Bioc. 473 - Methods in Biochemical Research 4 -
- Bioc. 483 - Cellular Signal Transduction Processes
- and Metabolic Regulation 3 -
- Bioc. 487 - Molecular Biology of Gene Expression - 3
- Chem. 491 - Senior Chemistry/Biocheistry Seminar - 2
- Science Electives** 3 3
- General Education Electives* - 6
- Totals14 14
- CURRICULUM TOTALS 121
This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.
*Electives must include 18 credits in humanities and social sciences; six of these credits must be in humanities/fine arts, six of these credits must be in social sciences, and a two course sequence (minimum six credits) also is required. In addition, three credits must have a global perspective and three credits must be in the cultural diversity category.
**Biochemistry option students may substitute Bioc. 494 - Senior Thesis (1 credit) plus Bioc. 491 - Seminar (1 credit) for Chem. 491 (2 credits).
Other electives:
The above electives are examples of the variations of the basic biochemistry option that can be developed. Other variations can be developed to provide emphasis in other areas such as animal science, entomology, plant pathology, genetics and agricultural chemicals. The selection of other electives should be made in consultation with the student's adviser. In most cases, only a few lower division electives will be accepted.
Contact Information
Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105
Tel: (701) 231-8964
Fax: (701) 231-8831
Email: John.Hershberger@ndsu.edu
Web: www.chem.ndsu.edu
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/
(6/07)
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Fact sheet index
- Background Information
- The Program
- Faculty and Facilities
- Career Opportunities
- High School Preparation
- Sample Curriculum
- Contact Information