POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY 2005-2007

BIOMOLECULAR SCIENCE PROGRAM
Program Director: Michael Joesten
Advances in biology, particularly at the
cellular and molecular level, are changing
the world that we live in. The basic
knowledge of the way nature functions to
create and sustain life on earth is increasingly
applied to the health care industry,
to feeding an expanding world population,
to producing cheap energy from
renewable sources, to cleaning up the
environment. Biology is the enabling science
of the 21st century and will create
numerous opportunities in the job market
in the years to come.
The BS in Biomolecular Science lies
at the interface between biology and
chemistry and is designed to build upon
the understanding of biology at the
molecular level. The curriculum also provides
a strong foundation in both mathematics
and physics. This broadly based
science education is a prerequisite for
successful careers in industry and governmental
laboratories, and for professional
or graduate studies in the biological sciences,
medicine and other health-related
fields.
The BS in Biomolecular Science has
three options, to meet the diverse needs
of our students. The option in biomedical
science is designed to provide students
with the fundamental knowledge and
skills needed for employment in the rapidly
changing bio-related industries or to
pursue advanced professional or graduate
degrees. The curriculum is highly innovative,
spans the boundaries between biology
and chemistry and involves considerable
exposure to research.
The option in biotechnology is oriented
towards the need of students who plan
to work for the fast growing biotechnology
industry. The nature of the industry
has dramatically changed in the last
decade, with technologies based on
human gene therapy taking their place
along side the production of antibiotics,
vaccines, hormones in technologies
based on genetic engineering. This option
provides a large choice of elective courses
that would meet both the specific
needs and interests of individual students.
The option in chemistry inherits the rich
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
OPTION
Subject Biomedical Science Biotechnology Chemistry
Chemistry 33cr 33 36
Biology 26 18 8
Research* 8 8 8
Chemical & Biological 0 0 4
Engineering
Computer Science 4 4 4
Humanities/Social Sciences 26 26 28
Mathematics 8 8 12
Physics 8 8 8
Technical electives 15 23 20
Total 128 128 128
A minimum of 128 credits is required for the BS in Biomolecular Science.
*Students registering for research are required to submit a written report prior to graduation. Students may
elect to write an undergraduate thesis.
traditions of Polytechnic in providing
excellent education in chemistry, now
combined with a fundamental knowledge
of biology, to prepare students for
employment in pharmaceutical and related
companies. Graduates will also be prepared
for positions at educational and/or
research institutions and governmental
laboratories. The research opportunities
provided by this option will prepare students
for pursuing graduate degrees in
chemistry as well as degrees that border
on biology.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the BS in Biomolecular
Science is to provide students with the
fundamental knowledge and skills needed
to advance to work in the rapidly
changing bio-related industries or to pursue
advanced professional or graduate
degrees. This is accomplished through an
innovative curriculum that spans the
boundaries between biology and chemistry
and through exposure to research. In
this way, the program is designed to
attract and train students who are adaptable
and active learners.
BS/MS ACCELERATED
HONORS OPTION
The BS/MS Accelerated Honors Option
leads to the simultaneous awarding of a
bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Depending on the student’s preparation
and objective, the two degrees may be
completed in as few as four years of
study. Each program is individually
designed in cooperation with the departmental
BS/MS adviser to allow varied
transfer and AP credits, professional summer
jobs, and other goals consistent with
the Honors Option.
Possible BS/MS combinations include
a BS in Biomolecular Science with an
MS in Chemistry, Bioinformatics or
Biomedical Engineering.
Incoming freshman with superior
admissions qualifications are invited to
participate in the Accelerated Honors
Program. Later admission may be considered
after students complete no more
than one year at Polytechnic. Students
must complete 16 to 20 credits each
semester, maintain a 3.5 GPA average,
and display a record free of course repetitions.
The required courses for the two
degrees include all courses required for
individual BS and MS degrees, except for
Senior Research Project II (either BMS
4924 or CM 4924), and all curriculum
footnotes apply. Required credits are the
sum of the credits for the two degrees
minus the 4 credits for Senior Research
Project II. Students in this program must
complete a Master’s Thesis. (No
Bachelor’s Thesis is required.).
Acceleration may be achieved through
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