Chemistry Majors
Bioinformatics Option for Chemistry Majors
| Goal | Curriculum | Sequence | Advisors |
The advent of genomics and proteomics has transformed the way biomedical research is carried out. The Human Genome Projects, for example, determined the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA. In order to effectively extract important information from this enormous amount of data, the role of computational tools in biomedical research is rapidly increasing. In both academic and industry research, therefore, there is a strong need for scientists who are equipped with computational skills as well as with chemical and biological knowledge. This newly developed biochemistry program will provide a solid stepping stone for our biochemistry students to dive into this exciting field of biomedical research.
The proposed, Major II, Option 3, is a modification of the existing Major II, Option 2. It is designed for our biochemistry major students interested in the burgeoning field of bioinformatics. This multi-disciplinary option is made possible by a new teaching initiative called QuBi (Quantitative Biology), which is organized by faculty from the Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics departments. These students will replace Biochemistry Laboratory with computational lab courses, namely, Practical UNIX (CSCI 132), and Relational Databases (CSCI 232). In addition, students will be required to complete Introduction to Applied Statistics (STAT 213), Computational Molecular Biology (BIOL 425) and a minimum 3 credits in the QuBi elective courses. Among the QuBi electives, Chemical Genomics (CHEM 388) will be recommended to Option 3 students.
Chemistry QuBi concentrators will be able to analyze biomedical problems on the basis of molecular structures. To this end, students will acquire knowledge of molecular visualization and modeling, and will develop the skills to work with high throughput technologies, such as DNA microarrays.
The proposed, Major II, Option 3, is a modification of the existing Major II, Option 2. It is designed for our biochemistry major students interested in the burgeoning field of bioinformatics. This multi-disciplinary option is made possible by a new teaching initiative called QuBi (Quantitative Biology), which is organized by faculty from the Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics departments. These students will replace Biochemistry Laboratory with computational lab courses, namely, Practical UNIX (CSCI 132), and Relational Databases (CSCI 232). In addition, students will be required to complete Introduction to Applied Statistics (STAT 213), Computational Molecular Biology (BIOL 425) and a minimum 3 credits in the QuBi elective courses. Among the QuBi electives, Chemical Genomics (CHEM 388) will be recommended to Option 3 students.
Chemistry QuBi concentrators will be able to analyze biomedical problems on the basis of molecular structures. To this end, students will acquire knowledge of molecular visualization and modeling, and will develop the skills to work with high throughput technologies, such as DNA microarrays.
Curriculum
Major II, Option 3 differs from the existing Major II, Option 2 in the following three aspects. First, CHEM 225 (Organic Chemistry Laboratory II) and CHEM 378 (Biochemistry Laboratory) have been replaced by CSCI 435 and 493.66 (Database Management, and UNIX Tools). Second, Computational Molecular Biology (BIOL 425) and one semester of Statistics (STAT 213) have been added as requirements. Third, instead of the elective requirement for Option 2, i.e., any Chemistry course at the 200-level or above, Option 3 requires a minimum of 3 credits from any QuBi elective course (CHEM 388, STAT 319, ANTHP 302 or BIOL 471). Below is the curriculum for the Major II, Option 3.
Required
CHEM 102 General Chemistry I, 4 cr.CHEM 104 General Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM 106 General Chemistry Lab, 3 cr.
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr.
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Lab I, 2.5 cr
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr.
CHEM 350 Biophysical Chemistry, 4 cr.
CHEM 376 Biochemistry I , 3 cr.
CHEM 377 Biochemistry II, 3 cr.
BIOL 100 Principles of Biology I, 4.5 cr.
BIOL 102 Principles of Biology II, 4.5 cr.
BIOL 425 Computational Mol. Biol., 3 cr. (NEW)
STAT 213 Intro. Applied Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH 150 Calculus I , 4 cr.
MATH 155 Calculus II, 4 cr.
PHYS 110 or 111 General Physics I, 4.5 or 5.5 cr.
PHYS 120 or 121 General Physics II, 4.5 or 5.5 cr.
CSCI 132 Practical UNIX and Programming, 3 cr.
MATH 155 Calculus II, 4 cr.
PHYS 110 or 111 General Physics I, 4.5 or 5.5 cr.
PHYS 120 or 121 General Physics II, 4.5 or 5.5 cr.
CSCI 132 Practical UNIX and Programming, 3 cr.
CSCI 232 Relational Database & SQL, 3 cr.
Electives
CHEM 388 Chemical Genomics, 3 cr. (NEW)
BIOL 471 Special Topics (Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Evolution, Protein Structure), 2 cr.
ANTHP 302 Human Genetics, 3 cr.
STAT 319 Bayesian Statistical Inference in the Sciences, 3 cr. (NEW)
TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE CHEMISTRY/BIOINFORMATICS MAJOR: 71-72 CREDITS
Electives
CHEM 388 Chemical Genomics, 3 cr. (NEW)
BIOL 471 Special Topics (Genomics and Proteomics, Molecular Evolution, Protein Structure), 2 cr.
ANTHP 302 Human Genetics, 3 cr.
STAT 319 Bayesian Statistical Inference in the Sciences, 3 cr. (NEW)
TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE CHEMISTRY/BIOINFORMATICS MAJOR: 71-72 CREDITS
Sample Course Sequence*
*Please see the QuBi advisor for individualized course plans
|
Fall (Year 1) – 7.5 credits |
|
| Fall (Year 2) – 9.5 credits CHEM 222 (4 credits) CHEM 223 (2.5 credits) MATH 155 (4 credits) |
Spring (Year 2) – 10 credits CHEM 224 (4 credits) PHYS 110 (4.5 credits) |
Fall (Year 3) – 10.5 credits PHYS 120 (4.5 credits) CSCI 132 (3 credits) CHEM 376 (3 credits) |
Spring (Year 3) – 9 credits STAT 213 (3 credits) CHEM 377 (3 credits) CSCI 232 (3 credits) |
| Fall (Year 4) – 7 credits CHEM 350 (4 credits) CHEM 388 (3 credits) |
Spring (Year 4) – 3 credits BIOL 425 (3 credits) |
Faculty Adviser
Dr Akira Kawamura, 212-650-3095, akira.kawamura@hunter.cuny.edu
Acknowledgments
National Institutes of Health (NIH)/MARC Program
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function
National Institutes of Health (NIH)/MARC Program
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function