Director, Undergraduate Degree Program   Joyce J. Diwan
Director, Graduate Degree Program   Jane F. Koretz

Biochemistry and biophysics are closely related fields. Biochemistry focuses on the interconversion of compounds in the many complex reactions of life, on the mechanisms whereby enzymes catalyze and regulate these reactions, and the function and structure of the molecular components of living organisms. Biophysics is principally concerned with processes of energy conversion, information transmission, and the structure and properties of materials in biological systems, as explored with methods of physics. Biochemical and biophysical research is advancing the frontiers of research in the basic life sciences and making possible advances in more applied fields such as medicine and agriculture. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, elucidating mechanisms of drug action and devising new ways of dealing with diseases has increasingly depended on application of knowledge and techniques of biochemistry and biophysics.

Rensselaer’s biochemistry and biophysics undergraduate curriculum includes thorough grounding in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, along with modern biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular-level biology. Advanced biochemistry and biophysics courses, many of which are jointly taught by biology and chemistry faculty, impart knowledge and training in cutting-edge research approaches. Students following this curriculum are thus exceptionally well prepared for graduate school and to become desirable prospective employees in various sectors of the biotechnology industry. The curriculum also provides an excellent background for students planning careers in medicine. While rigorous, the undergraduate curriculum offers sufficient flexibility and course choices to allow students to tailor their education to particular career paths. Most students pursue undergraduate research in faculty laboratories. Many seek industrial experience through Rensselaer’s Cooperative Education Program, and the high degree of flexibility facilitates fitting a co-op experience into the degree program.

The master’s degree program primarily prepares students for jobs in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other related industry sectors. It is also well suited to students wishing to upgrade their skills while employed in industry. The program may also be attractive to students wishing to obtain an M.S. degree before proceeding to professional study in medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, etc. Those with a B.S. degree in a field not closely related to modern biological science who wish to enter into a doctoral program at Rensselaer or elsewhere may also benefit from the program.

Research Innovations and Initiatives

Biophysical research at Rensselaer includes the study of areas as diverse as focusing processes of the eye, electrical impedance assays of cell motility, photosynthesis, cellular bioengineering, biofluid mechanics, and electric current computed tomography. A variety of approaches, including molecular modeling, spectroscopic probes, de novo design and chemical synthesis of unnatural proteins, and molecular biology are being used to study protein structure. Biochemical research includes the application of chromatography to large-scale purification of biological macromolecules, biosensors, prebiotic chemistry, biochemical signaling, bioanalytical chemistry, and the catalysis and mechanisms of protein folding.

Faculty

The science and engineering faculty members of the Center for Biophysics listed below provide a variety of research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Biochemistry and Biophysics degree programs. Faculty members from the Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics Departments who are involved in the teaching of biochemistry and biophysics courses are designated with an asterisk (*).

Biology
C. Bystroff,* J. Diwan,* J.F. Koretz,* R.H. Parsons, H.Roy,* J.C. Salerno*

Biomedical Engineering
R. Bizios, N. DePaola, J.C. Newell

Chemistry
Y.A. Akpalu, C.M. Breneman, C.T. Choma,* W. Colon,* J.P. Ferris, G.M. Korenowski, S. Krause,* J. Stenken

Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and Mechanics
B.E. Thompson

Mathematical Science
M.H. Holmes*, D. Isaacson*

Chemical Engineering
G. Belfort, S.M. Cramer, J. S. Dordick

School of Science
I. Giaever, C.R. Keese

Undergraduate Program

Biochemistry and Biophysics Curriculum

1. Molecular Biology may be taken in the spring of the second or third year.
2. Students may substitute CHEM-4450 plus CHEM-4460.

The above curriculum requires 128 total credit hours, with Humanities and Social Science courses making up at least 24 of those credits.

By shifting electives, the Molecular Biophysics Modules, the Quantitative Option, and the Laboratory Option course may be taken in semesters other than those shown above. Courses that satisfy the Molecular Biophysics Modules, Quantitative Option, and Laboratory Option are shown below.

Depending on immediate and long-range goals, students whose plans include one or more of the following career paths are advised to consider including the courses listed below among their module, option, or free elective choices. Students should consult their advisers when selecting courses from these lists.

Minor Programs

Students majoring in chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, or chemical engineering may obtain a minor in either biochemistry or biophysics by completing the courses listed below. Since different essential courses are included in the requirements of each major, the minor requirements vary for different majors.

Biochemistry Minor for Chemistry Majors   Students must complete BIOL-2120, BCBP-4770, and two of the following: BCBP-4710, BIOL-4260, BIOL-4620, BCBP-4860, BCBP-4310, BCBP-4780, BCBP-4790, CHEM-4310.

Biophysics Minor for Chemistry Majors   Students must complete BIOL-2120, BCBP-4770, and two of the following: MATH-2400 , MATH-4720, BIOL-4270, BCBP-4210, BCBP-4810, BCBP-4870, PHYS-2510.

Biochemistry Minor for Biology and Bioinformatics Majors   Students must complete BCBP-4770, CHEM-2440, and two of the following: BCBP-4710, BIOL-4260, BCBP-4680, BCBP-4780, BCBP-4790, BCBP-4310, CHEM-4310.

Biophysics Minor for Biology and Bioinformatics Majors   Students must complete BCBP-4770, CHEM-2440, and two of the following: MATH-2400, MATH-4720, BIOL-4720, BCBP- 4210, BCBP-4810, BCBP-4870, PHYS-2510.

Biochemistry Minor for Chemical Engineering Majors   Students must complete BIOL-2120, BCBP-4760, BCBP-4770, and one of the following: BCBP-4710, BIOL-4260, BIOL-4620, BCBP-4790, BCBP-4780, BCBP-4860, BCBP-4310, CHEM-4310.

Biophysics Minor for Chemical Engineering Majors   Students must complete BIOL-2120, BCBP-4760, BCBP-4770, and one of the following: MATH-4720 , BIOL-4720 , BCBP-4210, BCBP-4810, BCBP-4870.

Graduate Programs

Both the Master of Science and Master of Science in Applied Science degrees are available within the Biochemistry and Biophysics program. Each requires a total of 30 credit hours.

For the Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics, 15 credits must be in courses at the 6000–6999 level. In addition, six to nine credits must be in research. Students must either have had in their undergraduate study or must include in their M.S. plan of study three of the molecular biophysics module courses listed above in the undergraduate curriculum, or their graduate equivalents. A thesis based on original work is required.

The Master of Science in Applied Science degree program features the possibility of combining master’s level cooperative education participation or equivalent industrial experience, with course work for the degree in biochemistry and biophysics.

Course Descriptions

Courses of interest to Biochemistry and Biophysics students are described in the Course Description section of this catalog under the codes BIOL, BCBP, and CHEM. Course selections should be discussed with the student’s adviser.