Course Listings
Molecular Biology/Biochemistry
Major in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry
55-58 credit hours
- BIOL 115 Ecology and Evolution4
- BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics4
- BIOL 130 Organismal Biology4
- One of the following4
- One of the following4
- BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar2
- BIOL 409 Biology Internship0-3
- BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar1
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry4
- CHEM 112 General Chemistry4
- CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry4
- CHEM 304 Intermediate Organic Chemistry4
- CHEM 430 Biochemistry4
- MATH 211 Calculus I4
- PHYS 203 General Physics4
- PHYS 204 General Physics4
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core biological principles spanning all levels of hierarchy (cells to ecosystems).
- Provide examples of the fundamental role that evolutionary principles have in structuring biological systems from the cell to ecosystems.
- Design and implement experiments through developing research questions, designing research methods, and interpreting and analyzing data using statistical techniques.
- Use strong oral and writing skills to communicate scientific concepts.
- Articulate how faith and/or worldview informs personal bioethical attitudes and behaviors.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the dynamic nature of interactions between the cell and its environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the cell as an integrated system that can cooperate and organize to form more complex integrated structures.
- Demonstrate safety and competence in laboratory skills: cell culture techniques, DNA/RNA isolation and analysis, gel electrophoresis, and microscopy.
Planning and advising notes
Recommended elective courses: Psyc 100, General Psychology; additional biology courses; Chem 200, Analytical Chemistry; Chem 310, Thermodynamics; and Chem 312, Quantum Mechanics I.
Graduates with a molecular biology major are well-prepared for further study in medical or graduate school, or direct entry into the job market. Molecular biology provides a foundation for careers in biochemistry, molecular biology, behavior genetics, molecular genetics, biotechnology, genetics, molecular medicine, genomics, proteomics, molecular diagnostics, drug discovery and many related areas.
A double major in Biology, Environmental Science, or Molecular Biology/Biochemistry is not allowed.
Planning guide
| First Year | Goshen Core Ecology & Evolution (fall) Cell Biology & Genetics (spring) Organismal Biology (spring) General Chemistry |
| Second Year | Goshen Core Calculus I Organic Chemistry Biology choice SST (summer) |
| Third Year | Goshen Core Biochemistry General Physics Junior Research Seminar Biology choice |
| Fourth Year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Internship Biology Senior Seminar |
| First year | Goshen Core Ecology & Evolution (fall) Cell Biology & Genetics (spring) Organismal Biology (spring) General Chemistry |
| Second year | Goshen Core Calculus I Organic Chemistry Biology choice SST (summer) |
| Third year | Goshen Core Biochemistry General Physics Junior Research Seminar Biology choice |
| Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Internship Biology Senior Seminar |
BIOL 115 Ecology and Evolution
An introductory course that examines fundamental principles related to the evolution of life on earth and the ecological relationships between living things and their environment. The course integrates ecological and evolutionary principles within field investigations that teach skills in research...
BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Genetics
An introductory course that explores the cell as a complex and dynamic system shaped by its environment and genetic legacy. Gene regulation and expression, cell signaling, and cell division will be discussed, as well as the ethics of manipulating the...
BIOL 130 Organismal Biology
An introductory course that integrates study of plant and animal forms to provide a broader understanding of the unity and diversity of life on earth. Students will gain insight into the basic principles of structure and function evident in complex...
BIOL 331 Junior Research Seminar
A weekly seminar focusing on scientific inquiry skills such as reviewing the literature, forming research questions, designing experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers. Students will gain approval for a research project to be completed by the end of the...
BIOL 409 Biology Internship
Practical experience in biology including professional levels of responsibility. Activities may be similar to those described for Biol 209, but with a higher degree of independent responsibility in the experience, as would be appropriate for a traditional apprenticeship. Students are...
BIOL 410 Biology Senior Seminar
A weekly seminar focused on completing the capstone senior research project. Topics will include data analysis, research writing, communicating project results to the wider community, and the interdisciplinary nature of biological science. Led by all department faculty members. Prerequisite: Biol...
CHEM 111 General Chemistry
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...
CHEM 112 General Chemistry
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory,...
CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Covering structure, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and principal reactions for the major functional groups of organic chemistry, this is a one-semester survey course that gives an overview of the field. Laboratory exercises introduce basic purification techniques. This can be a stand-alone course...
CHEM 304 Intermediate Organic Chemistry
Using Chem 303 as a foundation, this course presents additional reactions (with an increased emphasis on mechanisms) and material on stereochemistry, as well as introducing spectroscopy (IR, NMR, GC-MS and UV-Vis). Together, the Chem 303-304 sequence covers all topics traditionally...
CHEM 430 Biochemistry
Introduction to the chemical processes of living organisms. This course (which complements Biol 311 or 341) focuses primarily on proteins (including enzymes) and metabolism, with introductions to carbohydrates, lipids, and cell membranes. Students planning to continue on to graduate programs...
MATH 211 Calculus I
Concepts of calculus emphasizing applications in the natural and social sciences. Topics include differential calculus of one and two variables and integration. Prerequisites: three and one-half units of high school mathematics including trigonometry, Math 170, or a minimum ALEKS score...
PHYS 203 General Physics
A calculus and vector treatment of basic physics. This is the first semester, which includes mechanics of motion, vibration and sound. Required of physics majors. Offered every fall. Prerequisite or Concurrent: Math 211.
PHYS 204 General Physics
A calculus and vector treatment of basic physics. This is the second semester, which includes electric and magnetic fields, light and optics. Required of physics majors. Offered every spring. Prerequisites: Math 211, Phys 203.