Molecular Biology (B.S.)

Faculty

Professors: Lee A. Bulla, Santosh D'Mello, Rockford K. Draper, Steven R. Goodman, Donald M. Gray, Betty S. Pace, Lawrence J. Reitzer
Associate Professors: Gail A.M. Breen, John G. Burr, Jeff L. DeJong, Juan E. González, Ernest M. Hannig, Stephen D. Levene, Robert C. Marsh, Dennis L. Miller
Assistant Professors: Tianbing Xia
Professor Emeritus: Hans Bremer, Claud S. Rupert
Senior Lecturers: Vincent P. Cirillo, John Moltz, Scott A. Rippel, Ilya Sapozhnikov

The Biology Program at U.T. Dallas emphasizes the unifying molecular and cellular nature of organisms. At the center of the Biology undergraduate curriculum are the biochemical, genetic, and cell biology concepts and tools used to study the genes of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, to study the proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNA) encoded by these genes, and to study how the expression of these genes is regulated during the development and lifetimes of organisms. Molecular Biology represents a fusion of the four disciplines of biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, and cell biology. Modern biology requires a background in other disciplines such as chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer sciences. Principles from these disciplines have to be merged to understand and apply new biotechnology and genetic engineering techniques. It is desirable for entering students to have a broad interest and background in the sciences.

Both B.S. and B.A. degrees are offered in Biology at U.T. Dallas; a B.S. degree is offered in Molecular Biology. The B.S. degrees are intended as preparation for scientific careers in biology or careers in the health professions. The B.A. degree is intended as liberal arts biology major with less emphasis on calculus and more free hours for course work in other disciplines. Each degree in Biology offers a streamlined double major with Business Administration or Crime and Justice Studies. Five-year Fast Track B.S./M.S. Biology and Molecular Biology degree programs are available, and a 7-year accelerated B.S./D.O. degree program is offered together with the UNT Health Science Center at the Fort Worth College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNTHSC/TCOM); see page xx.

Minors are offered in Biology, Biomolecular Structure, Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Neurobiology.

Transfer Students

Students transferring into Biology or Molecular Biology at the junior level in either the B.S. or the B.A. programs are expected to have completed courses equivalent to:

• Introductory Biology with lab, BIOL 2311, 2312, and 2281
• General Chemistry with lab, CHEM 1311, 1111, 1312, and 1112
• Organic Chemistry with lab, CHEM 2323, 2123, 2325, and 2125
• Calculus, MATH 2417 and 2419 (B.S. or B.A. degree); or Applied Calculus, MATH 1325, (B.A. degree only)
• Physics with lab, calculus-based PHYS 2325, 2125, 2326 and 2126 (B.S. or B.A. degree); or algebra-based PHYS 1301, 1101, 1302, 1102 (B.A. degree only).

Junior-level transfer students deficient in these lower-division requirements may satisfy the requirements with courses taken at U.T. Dallas; however, students deficient in the biology and chemistry requirements may be delayed in entering upper-division biology courses.

Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology
Degree Requirements (129 hours)

I. Core Curriculum Requirements¹: 41 hours
    A. Communication (6 hours)
        3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
        3 hours Communication Elective (BIOL 4337, BIOL 4390, BIOL 4399 or NATS 4310)²
    B. Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
        6 hours Government (GOVT 2301 and 2302)
        6 hours American History
        3 hours Social and Behavior Sciences Elective
    C. Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
        3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
        3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
    D. Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
        6 hours Calculus (MATH 2417 and 2419)³
    E. Science (9 hours)
        9 hours Chemistry (CHEM 1311/1111, 1312/1112 and 2123)

¹ Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parenthesis are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major requirements at UT Dallas.

II. Major Requirements: 68-69 hours
    Major Preparatory Courses (20-21 hours beyond Core Curriculum)
        CHEM 1111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
        CHEM 1112 General Chemistry Laboratory II
        CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I
        CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II
        CHEM 2123* Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
        CHEM 2125 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
        CHEM 2323* Introductory Organic Chemistry I
        CHEM 2325 Introductory Organic Chemistry II
        MATH 2417 Calculus I
        MATH 2419 Calculus II
        MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Applications
            or STAT 3332 Statistics for Life Sciences
        PHYS 2125 Physics Laboratory I
        PHYS 2126 Physics Laboratory II
        PHYS 3341 Physics for BioScience I
        PHYS 3342 Physics for BioScience II
    Major Core Courses (36 hours)
        BIOL 2111* Introduction to Modern Biology Workshop I
        BIOL 2112* Introduction to Modern Biology Workshop II
        BIOL 2281* Introductory Biology Laboratory
        BIOL 2311*Introduction to Modern Biology I
        BIOL 2312* Introduction to Modern Biology II
        BIOL 3101 Classical and Molecular Genetics Workshop
        BIOL 3102 Eukaryotic Molecular and Cell Biology Workshop
        BIOL 3161 Biochemistry Workshop I
        BIOL 3162 Biochemistry Workshop II
        BIOL 3301 Classical and Molecular Genetics
        BIOL 3302 Eukaryotic Molecular and Cell Biology
        BIOL 3361 Biochemistry I
        BIOL 3362 Biochemistry II
            or BIOL 3335 Microbial Physiology
        BIOL 3380 Biochemistry Laboratory
        BIOL 4380 Cell & Molecular Biology Laboratory
            or BIOL 3V96 (3 hours) Undergraduate Research in Molecular and Cell Biology⁴
            or BIOL 4399 (3 hours) Senior Honors Research and Thesis
        BIOL 4461 Biophysical Chemistry
    Major Related Courses (12 hours)⁵
        12 hours upper-division approved molecular biology-related BIOL or CHEM electives

² Molecular Biology majors may choose BIOL 4337, BIOL 4390, BIOL 4399, NATS 4310 or another approved Biology elective to fulfill the Core Curriculum Communication Elective.
³ Six hours of Calculus are counted under Mathematics Core, and 2 hours of Calculus are counted as Major Preparatory Courses.
⁴ These substitutes for BIOL 4380 require permission of the Biology Undergraduate Advisor to ensure equivalent training in recombinant DNA analysis.
⁵ Up to 6 hours of research may be used in fulfilling the major related course requirement.
* Indicates a prerequisite class to be completed before enrolling for upper-division classes.

III. Elective Requirements: 18-19 hours
    Advanced Electives
        All students are required to take at least six hours of advanced electives outside their major
        field of study. These must be either upper-division classes or lower-division classes that
        have prerequisites. These may be satisfied with CHEM 2323 and 2325, counted under Major
        Preparatory Courses.
    Free Electives (18-19 hours)
        All students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division credit to graduate.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 31, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

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The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.