Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Majors & Career Tracks

FSC’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) program combines chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics, allowing you to understand life from the organism down to the molecular level.

This format reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of scientific research. It also means you’re prepared for professional schools—such as medical, dental and veterinary schools—and graduate programs in biochemistry, molecular biology and related disciplines. You can also begin your career in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other exciting fast-paced industries.

Top Reasons to choose FSC for
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Collaborative research with faculty takes your learning to the next level.
Get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques.
Intern with medical professionals, health care institutions, and local companies.

Our interdisciplinary approach gives you access to all the resources of FSC’s Biology and Chemistry programs.
Develop your professional credentials by presenting your findings at conferences.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program provides an excellent interdisciplinary experience for students where graduates are well prepared to enter professional schools, such as medical, dental, and veterinary schools, as well as graduate programs in biochemistry, molecular biology and other related disciplines, and to enter careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

Classes commonly use field trips, group discussions, presentations, case studies, and instructional technology to extend your learning beyond the textbook.

With labs and experimental components, you’ll engage in guided inquiry experiments, active learning, computational exercises, collaborative learning and problem solving, and team-based projects.

Course Information

The core courses in the BMB program are: Biological Essentials, Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Principles of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Calculus and Physics. Beyond the core, you can customize from a variety of courses and gain a broader perspective or develop in-depth knowledge of a specific interest.

See a sampling of science and math course descriptions below »

Departmental Clubs & Organizations:

As a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major, you’re eligible for membership in several societies and honorary organizations sponsored by the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Among these are:

Beta Beta Beta, a society for students in the biological sciences
American Medical Student Association/Pre-Professional Society
The American Chemical Society
Gamma Sigma Epsilon, national chemistry honor society

Internship Sites

In addition to shadowing and interning with numerous doctors, dentists, veterinarians, physical therapists, and other medical professionals, in hospitals, clinics and private practice, our students have gained experience at sites such as:

Center for Cancer Care and Research
Polk County Medical Examiner
Polk County Health Department

Graduate & Professional Opportunities

You’ll be prepared for positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnologies industries. But you’ll also be ready to continue your education in professional schools, such as medical, dental and veterinary schools or graduate programs in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related disciplines.

Degree Requirements

Course Descriptions

Meet our Faculty

Biology Faculty

Chemistry & Physics Faculty

Arts & Sciences

Academic Quicklinks

Majors & Career Tracks Academic Calendar Course Catalog Student Solutions Center Office of the Provost Academics Home

Questions? Contact

Photo: An-Phong Le An-Phong Le
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
863.680.4132
ale@flsouthern.edu

Photo: Brittany Gasper Brittany Gasper
Assistant Professor of Biology
863.680.4132
bgasper@flsouthern.edu

Degree Requirements

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Major Requirements

A. General Education Requirements	40 hours
B. Major Requirements	68 hours

BIO 1500	Biological Essentials
CHE 1111	Principles of Chemistry I
CHE 1112	Principles of Chemistry II
CHE 2221	Organic Chemistry I
CHE 2222	Organic Chemistry II
CHE 2335	Analytical Chemistry
BIO/CHE 3361	Biochemistry: Structure and Function
BIO/CHE 3362	Biochemistry:Molecular Biology
BIO 3700	Genetics
BIO 3800	Cell Biology
BIO 4561	Research: Molecular Biology
or
BIO 4562	Research: Molecular Biology
or
HON 4955	Honors Senior Thesis
or
HON 4956	Honors Senior Thesis
or
CHE 4410	Introduction to Research Methods and
CHE 4999	Senior Research in Chemistry
MAT 2311	Calculus I with Plane Analytic Geometry
PHY 2110	General Physics I (Calculus based)
PHY 2120	General Physics II (Calculus Based)

Twelve hours selected from the courses below:

(may not be fulfilled with courses all beginning with the same prefix)

BIO 2230	General Zoology
or
BIO 2235	General Botany
BIO 3160	Developmental Biology
BIO 3400	Microbiology
BIO 3215	Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 3216	Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 3400	Microbiology
BIO 4408	Animal Physiology
BIO 4150	Plant Physiology
BIO 4960	Biology Internship
or
BIO 4961	Biology Internship
CHE 2355	Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 3320	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 3335	Instrumental Analysis
CHE 3341	Physical Chemistry I
CHE 3342	Physical Chemistry II
CHE 4425	Special Topics in Chemistry
CHE 4455	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 4960	Internship in Chemistry

C. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements	12 hours
D. Electives	4 hours
E. Total	124 hours

For a complete listing of requirements, please refer to the
academic catalog »

Course Descriptions

Biology

BIO 1500 BIOLOGICAL ESSENTIALS
Four hours. The first in a three-course sequence required for biology majors. A rigorous introduction to the principles that lay the foundations for the biological sciences. Examines the relationships between metabolism, genetics, cell biology, and evolution. Students learn the mechanics and style of scientific reporting on laboratory exercises in cell and molecular biology utilizing techniques such as spectrophotometry and electophoresis. Gen Ed: NW

BIO 3361 BIOCHEMISTRY I: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Four hours. Same as CHE 3361. Prerequisite: CHE 2222. Biochemistry is the study of the molecules and chemical reactions of living systems. Topics covered in Biochemistry I include water, structure and function of biomolecules, enzymes, bioenergetics, major metabolic pathways, and metabolic regulation.

BIO 3362 BIOCHEMISTRY II: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Four hours. Same as CHE 3362. Prerequisite: BIO 3361 or CHE 3361. Students will consider important topics in molecular genetics, including structure, function and manipulation of DNA, and selected topics in metabolism and signaling.

BIO 3700 GENETICS
Four hours. No credit will be awarded if student has completed BIO 1900. This course helps students explore the principles of heredity as applied to all living organisms, the use of genetics to investigate evolution, and the application of genetics to the topics of immunology, cancer, and development.

BIO 3800 CELL BIOLOGY
Four hours. Prerequisites: BIO 1500 and CHE 2221. Structure and functions of the cell as the basic unit of life, with emphasis on those features common to all living cells.

BIO 4551, 4552 RESEARCH: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Four hours. Prerequisite: any 3000 level BIO course, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Students will learn basic techniques in molecular biology research, and design and carry out research in molecular biology. Research projects can be carried over into a second semester.
Gen Ed: EC-C

BIO 4960, 4961 BIOLOGY INTERNSHIP
One to eight hours (eight hours maximum). Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; permission of and consultation with a full time faculty member the semester prior to the internship; minimum 3.0 grade point average. Correlating theory and practice in at least one operational setting; supervision by cooperating professionals and faculty.

For more BIO courses, see Biology »

MATH & PHYSICS

MAT 2311 CALCULUS I WITH PLANE ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
Four hours. The study of differentiation and integration of algebraic and transcendental functions. Applications of differentiation, Mean Value Theorem, maximum/minimum, problems and The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Topics in plane analytic geometry. Use of computer algebra system (CAS) required.
Gen Ed: Qn

PHY 2110 GENERAL PHYSICS I (Calculus Based)
Four hours. Pre- or corequisite: MAT 2505 or MAT 2311. Calculus-based physics. Topics include introduction to Newtonian mechanics, fluids, harmonic oscillators, vibrations and sound.
Gen Ed: NW

PHY 2120 GENERAL PHYSICS II (Calculus Based)
Four hours. Pre- or corequisite: PHY 2110. Calculus-based physics. Topics include temperature and heat, kinetic theory of gases, electro-magnetism, AC-DC circuits, Maxwell’s equations and optics.
Gen Ed: NW

For more MAT courses, see Mathematics »

ChemistRy

CHE 1111 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I
Four hours. Prerequisites: CHE 1000 or one year of high school chemistry. Quantitative treatment of the principles of chemistry including stoichiometry, states of matter, energy, atomic structure, periodicity, ionic compounds, and molecular structure.
Gen Ed: NW

CHE 1112 PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY II
Four hours. Prerequisite: CHE 1111. The topics covered in this course will include: intermolecular forces, kinetics, equilibrium, acid, bases, buffers, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and introduction to basic organic chemistry.
Gen Ed: NW

CHE 2221 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
Four hours. Prerequisite: CHE 1012 or CHE 1112. Detailed study of carbon compounds approached through the study of structure, functional groups, reactions, and mechanisms. In the laboratory, emphasis is placed upon illustrating chemical reactivity through experimentation and molecular characterization utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation.

CHE 2222 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
Four hours. Prerequisite: CHE 2221. Continuation of the study of carbon compounds approached through the study of structure, functional groups, reactions, and mechanisms. In the laboratory, emphasis is placed upon synthesis illustrating chemical reactivity and molecular characterization utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation.

CHE 2335 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Four hours. Prerequisite: CHE 1112. Principles of analytical chemistry will be covered with an emphasis on quantitative measurements and statistical data analysis. Topics may include gravimetric analysis, volumetric, and potentiometric methods of analysis with a focus on acid-base, reduction-oxidation, and complexometric chemistry.

CHE 2255 DESCRIPTIVE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Two hours. Prerequisite: CHE 1112. Fundamental topics in inorganic chemistry will be explored, among them: atomic theory and periodicity, the structure of simple solids, main group elements, and structure and bonding of coordination compounds. The laboratory component of the course will give students experience with various laboratory techniques used in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds.

CHE 3320 APPLIED PHYSICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Four hours. Pre-requisite: CHE 3341. The objective of this course is to integrate the theory and application of methods in physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, and inorganic chemistry, with an emphasis on inorganic synthesis and the characterization of the inorganic products using spectroscopy, thermodynamics and kinetics.

CHE 3335 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
Two hours. Pre-requisite: CHE 2235. The objective of this course is to apply the principles of quantitative chemical analysis to instrumental techniques. Electrochemical, chromatographic, and spectroscopic techniques will be covered in theory and in practice through a combination of lecture and hands-on experimentation. However, as there is no laboratory component to this course, lectures will, when appropriate, integrate use of instrumentation as engagement within the classroom.

CHE 3341 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I
Four hours. Prerequisites: CHE 2222 and PHY 2120 and MAT 2312 and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. The topics covered in this class include foundations of quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure and the chemical bond, atomic and molecular spectroscopy.
Gen Ed: EC-C

CHE 3342 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II
Two hours. Pre-requisite: CHE 3341. The topics covered in this class include properties of gases, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, phase and chemical equilibria, solutions, kinetics and reaction dynamics.

For more CHE courses, see Chemistry »

BIOCHEMistry & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
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Top Reasons to choose FSC for
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

Course Information

Departmental Clubs & Organizations:

Internship Sites