Department of Biological Sciences
Nathan N. Urban, Department HeadMaggie Braun, Assistant Department Head for Undergraduate Affairs
Undergraduate Office: Doherty Hall 1320
http://www.cmu.edu/bio
A major revolution is occurring in the field of biological sciences. Biology is undergoing unprecedented technological advances in biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience and computational biology. Carnegie Mellon's Department of Biological Sciences is nationally recognized as one of the outstanding departments in these areas. Advances in basic research are already being used to solve problems, not only in medicine and public health, but also in areas such as agriculture, forestry, mining, energy, and in industrial and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The department provides its students with an education that has both intellectual breadth and depth of exposure to modern research biology. This education can be used to gain employment immediately after graduation in government, industry or academic research laboratories, or to pursue graduate studies in a variety of areas such as science, medicine, public health, law, or business. A degree in biological sciences provides excellent preparation for medical school or other graduate programs in the health professions. These students are aided by the Carnegie Mellon Health Professions Program (HPP), an advisory and resource service for all Carnegie Mellon students who are considering careers in the health care field. (See the HPP section in this catalog or www.cmu.edu/hpp for more information.)
The department offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biological Sciences. This program has a distinctive core curriculum that provides a foundation in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. In addition to the core courses, the program includes six biology electives, five free electives as well as eight humanities, social science and fine arts electives. With these electives, students can shape a degree program according to their own interests and career goals. For students who have an interest in a particular field of biology and wish to have a specialized focus, the department offers options in biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, computational biology, developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology and neuroscience that provide the relevant training in each area. The options are especially recommended for students who are considering graduate school in one of these areas. The B.S. in Biological Sciences/Neuroscience Track is available to those students who wish to pursue an in-depth study of neuroscience.
In this exciting era that includes the influence of biology and the life sciences on many fields from medicine to law, the in-depth exposure to multiple disciplines provides opportunities for students to prepare for involvement at the forefront of emerging new fields, markets, and policy changes. The Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon is working at these new interfaces through interdisciplinary research and educational programs. Innovative interdisciplinary degrees which are offered by the department include the inter-college B.S. degree in Computational Biology as well as an unified B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Students also explore interdisciplinary studies through the Science and Humanities Scholars program, or pursue interests at the interface between the arts and sciences through the Bachelor of Science and Arts (B.S.A.) degree program combining biological sciences with a discipline in the College of Fine Arts. A stand-alone Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is available for students who wish to expand their educational training into other fields. Many students choose to broaden their education by pursuing minors and additional majors in disciplines throughout the university, not just within the Mellon College of Science.
One of the most important features of the Department of Biological Sciences is the opportunity for undergraduate students to interact with faculty. Providing a solid foundation to scientific practice is critical; therefore, the department offers first-year students a variety of inquiry-based, hands-on courses that incorporate a wide range of topics and interests within Biological Sciences. These courses kick-start the transformation of science students to scientists. We encourage our students to get to know their faculty through one of these courses, or through mentored, independent research projects in the faculty laboratories. Our faculty members are prominent research scientists who also teach beginning and advanced courses. The upper level teaching laboratories are located in the same building as the faculty research laboratories and share scientific equipment. We encourage students to be aware of the faculty research work and to develop research projects with faculty. While such research is usually most important in the senior year, it may begin earlier in a student's undergraduate training. The department has an Honors Program in Research Biology to facilitate a more intensive involvement in research for eligible students. During the past four years, more than 80 percent of the undergraduate biology majors have worked with faculty on their research and, in some cases, have been co-authors of research papers and have given presentations at national meetings.
B.S. Biological Sciences
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences is built around a core program and elective units as detailed in the following section.
Degree Requirements:
| Biological Sciences | Units | |
| 03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
| 03-231 | Biochemistry I | 9 |
| 03-240 | Cell Biology | 9 |
| 03-201 /202 Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores | 2 | |
| 03-310 | Introduction to Computational Biology | 12 |
| or | 03-311 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology (6 units) and | |
| 03-312 Introduction to Computational Cell Biology (6 units) | ||
| 03-330 | Genetics | 9 |
| 03-343 | Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology | 12 |
| 03-344 | Experimental Biochemistry | 12 |
| or | 03-345 Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology (12 units) | |
| 03-411 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-412 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-xxx | Biological Sciences Electives (1) | 54 |
| Total Biology units | 130 | |
1 Details on electives can be found in the "Biological Sciences Electives" section (see below).
| Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science | Units | |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| 21-122 | Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation | 10 |
| 33-111 | Physics I for Science Students | 12 |
| 33-112 | Physics II for Science Students | 12 |
| 15-110 | Principles of Computing (2) | 10 |
| 99-10x | Computing at Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
| Total Science units | 57 | |
2 15-101 Exploring Programming with Alice can substitute for 15-110 towards the completion of the Programming course requirement.
| Chemistry | Units | |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| 09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
| or | 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry (10 units) | |
| 09-218 | Organic Chemistry II | 9 |
| or | 09-220 Modern Organic II (10 units) | |
| 09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| 09-222 | Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis | 12 |
| Total Chemistry units | 62 | |
| Elective Units | Units | |
| Free Electives | 39 | |
| H&SS/CFA Electives | 72 | |
| Total Elective units | 111 | |
360Minimum number of units required for degree:
Biological Sciences Electives
The following specifications apply to Biological Sciences electives:
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At least 18 units must be at the 03-3xx level or above, exclusive of 03-445 Undergraduate Research.
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Up to three interdisciplinary electives may count as biology electives.
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Up to 18 units of 03-445 Undergraduate Research may count as general biology electives; a maximum of 36 units can count for the minimum units required for graduation.
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Courses in biology taken through cross-registration or study abroad at another university may count as electives if prior permission is obtained from the Carnegie Mellon Department of Biological Sciences advisor.
Departmental Electives Group
| 03-115 /116 Phage Genomics Research | 6 | |
| 03-122 | Organismic Botany | 9 |
| 03-124 | Modern Biology Laboratory | 9 |
| 03-125 | Evolution and History of Life | 9 |
| 03-126 | Cellular Response to the Environment | 4 |
| 03-127 | How Biological Experiments Work - A Project Course | 6 |
| 03-203 | Bench to Bedside: Process of Regenerative Therapeutics | 6 |
| 03-230 | Intro to Mammalian Physiology | 9 |
| 03-315 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-326 | Evolution of Regulatory Genomics | 4.5 |
| 03-327 | Phylogenetics | 4.5 |
| 03-350 | Developmental Biology | 9 |
| 03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-363 | Systems Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-380 | Virology | 9 |
| 03-390 | Molecular and Cellular Immunology | 9 |
| 03-391 | Microbiology: Biophysic and Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 03-392 | Microbiology Laboratory | 6 |
| 03-439 | Introduction to Biophysics | 9 |
| 03-442 | Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 03-445 | Undergraduate Research | Var. |
| 03-511 | Computational Molecular Biology and Genomics | 9 |
| 03-512 | Computational Methods for Biological Modeling and Simulation | 9 |
| 03-534 | Biological Imaging and Fluorescence Spectroscopy | 9 |
| 03-545 | Honors Research | 9 |
| 03-620 | Techniques in Electron Microscopy | 9 |
| 03-711 | Computational Molecular Biology and Genomics | 12 |
| 03-712 | Computational Methods for Biological Modeling and Simulation | 12 |
| 03-713 | Bioinformatics Data Integration Practicum | 6 |
| 03-715 | Computational Genomics | 12 |
| 03-726 | Evolution of Regulatory Genomics | 6 |
| 03-727 | Phylogenetics | 6 |
| 03-730 | Advanced Genetics | 12 |
| 03-740 | Advanced Biochemistry | 12 |
| 03-741 | Advanced Cell Biology | 12 |
| 03-742 | Molecular Biology | 12 |
| 03-744 | Membrane Trafficking | 9 |
| 03-751 | Advanced Developmental Biology | 12 |
| 03-761 | Neural Plasticity | 9 |
| 03-762 | Advanced Cellular Neuroscience | 12 |
| 03-763 | Advanced Systems Neuroscience | 12 |
| 03-815 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 12 |
| 03-871 | Structural Biophysics | 12 |
Interdisciplinary Electives Group
| Up to three of the following courses may count as biology electives: | ||
| 09-518 | Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates | 9 |
| 09-519 | Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry | 9 |
| 09-521 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | 9 |
| 09-535 | Applied topics in Macromolecular and Biophysical Techniques | 9 |
| 15-211 | Fundamental Data Structures and Algorithms | 12 |
| 21-127 | Concepts of Mathematics | 9 |
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 9 |
| 21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
| 36-201 | Statistical Reasoning and Practice | 9 |
| 36-247 | Statistics for Lab Sciences | 9 |
| 42-202 | Physiology | 9 |
| 85-219 | Biological Foundations of Behavior | 9 |
Options for the B.S. in Biological Sciences
Students who wish to specialize in a particular area of biology can do so through a set of departmentally defined options. A student who complete the required biology electives for any option can have up to two noted on his or her transcript. Options need not be declared. The elective courses required for each of the options are listed below.
Biochemistry Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-740 | Advanced Biochemistry | 12 |
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 9 |
| or | 21-260 Differential Equations (9 units) |
Any one of the following courses:
| 09-518 | Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates | 9 |
| 09-519 | Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry | 9 |
| 09-521 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | 9 |
Recommended Biology Electives:
| 03-442 | Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 03-534 | Biological Imaging and Fluorescence Spectroscopy | 9 |
| 03-439 | Introduction to Biophysics | 9 |
| 03-871 | Structural Biophysics | 12 |
Biophysics Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-740 | Advanced Biochemistry | 12 |
| 03-439 | Introduction to Biophysics | 9 |
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 9 |
| or | 21-260 Differential Equations (9 units) |
Recommended Biology Electives:
| 03-315 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-534 | Biological Imaging and Fluorescence Spectroscopy | 9 |
| 03-871 | Structural Biophysics | 12 |
Cell Biology Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-350 | Developmental Biology | 9 |
| 03-741 | Advanced Cell Biology | 12 |
One of the following courses:
| 03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-390 | Molecular and Cellular Immunology | 9 |
Computational Biology Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-711 | Computational Molecular Biology and Genomics | 12 |
| 15-211 | Fundamental Data Structures and Algorithms | 12 |
Any one of the following courses:
| 36-247 | Statistics for Lab Sciences | 9 |
| 21-260 | Differential Equations | 9 |
| 21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations | 10 |
Recommended Biology Electives:
| 03-512 | Computational Methods for Biological Modeling and Simulation | 9 |
| 15-451 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 12 |
| 09-560 | Computational Chemistry | 12 |
Developmental Biology Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-350 | Developmental Biology | 9 |
| 03-442 | Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 03-751 | Advanced Developmental Biology | 12 |
Recommended Biology Electives:
| 03-326 | Evolution of Regulatory Genomics | 4.5 |
| 03-741 | Advanced Cell Biology | 12 |
Genetics Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-326 | Evolution of Regulatory Genomics | 4.5 |
| 03-327 | Phylogenetics | 4.5 |
| 03-442 | Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 03-730 | Advanced Genetics (3) | 12 |
3 Minimum grade of B in 03-330 required.
Recommended Biology Electives:
| 03-311 | Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology | 6 |
Molecular Biology Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-442 | Molecular Biology | 9 |
| 09-518 | Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates | 9 |
Any one of the following:
| 03-380 | Virology | 9 |
| 03-390 | Molecular and Cellular Immunology | 9 |
| 03-730 | Advanced Genetics | 12 |
Neuroscience Option
Required Biology Electives:
| 03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-363 | Systems Neuroscience | 9 |
Any two of the following courses:
| 03-230 | Intro to Mammalian Physiology | 9 |
| 03-315 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-350 | Developmental Biology | 9 |
| 03-534 | Biological Imaging and Fluorescence Spectroscopy | 9 |
| 03-761 | Neural Plasticity | 9 |
| 85-219 | Biological Foundations of Behavior | 9 |
B.S. Biological Sciences/Neuroscience Track
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences/Neuroscience Track provides an option for those Biological Sciences majors who are interested in an intensive curricular focus in neuroscience. The requirements of the Track are the same as those listed for the B.S. in Biological Sciences with the following changes to the biological sciences elective requirements:
Degree Requirements:
| 03-362 | Cellular Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-363 | Systems Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-761 | Neural Plasticity | 9 |
Plus three of the following electives:
| 03-230 | Intro to Mammalian Physiology | 9 |
| 03-315 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroscience | 9 |
| 03-350 | Developmental Biology | 9 |
| 03-534 | Biological Imaging and Fluorescence Spectroscopy | 9 |
| 15-385 | Computer Vision | 9 |
| 15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
| 85-211 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
| 85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artifical Intelligence | 9 |
| 85-219 | Biological Foundations of Behavior | 9 |
Mini courses of possible interest:
| 03-101 | Biological Sciences First Year Seminars | 3 |
B.S. Computational Biology
The Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology is now listed in the Intercollege section of this catalog. It is a joint degree program offered between the Mellon College of Science and the School of Computer Science. Current MCS students interested in pursuing this degree should contact Dr. Maggie Braun (DH 1320).
Professional Masters Degree in Computational Biology
Students who are interested in more advanced training in this emerging field may want to consider the Professional Master of Science Program in Computational Biology. For more information about this program, contact the Biological Sciences Graduate Programs Office (bio-gradoffice@andrew.cmu.edu).
B.S. Biological Sciences and Psychology
This major is intended to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of current research in the fields of biology and psychology, as well as the national trend in some professions to seek individuals broadly trained in both the social and natural sciences.
Note: Students entering from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biological Sciences. Students in the Mellon College of Science will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Students in the joint Science and Humanities Scholars (SHS) program can complete the SHS educational core and choose either departmental order for their diploma.
Depending on a student's home college (H&SS or MCS), General Education (GenEd) requirements will be different. GenEd requirements for H&SS and MCS are found on their respective Catalog pages.
Degree Requirements:
| Biological Sciences | Units | |
| 03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
| 03-231 | Biochemistry I | 9 |
| 03-240 | Cell Biology | 9 |
| 03-201 /202 Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores | 2 | |
| 03-330 | Genetics | 9 |
| 03-343 | Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology | 12 |
| 03-411 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-412 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-xxx | General Biology Elective | 9 |
| 03-3xx | Advanced Biology Elective | 9 |
| 03-3xx | Advanced Biology Elective | 9 |
| Total Biology units | 79 | |
| Mathematics, Statistics, Physics and Computer Science | Units | |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| 21-122 | Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation | 10 |
| 36-247 | Statistics for Lab Sciences | 9 |
| 36-309 | Experimental Design for Behavioral and Social Sciences | 9 |
| 33-111 | Physics I for Science Students | 12 |
| 33-112 | Physics II for Science Students | 12 |
| 15-110 | Principles of Computing * | 10 |
| 99-10x | Computing at Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
| Total Science units | 75 | |
* 15-101 Exploring Programming with Alice can substitute for 15-110 towards completion of the Programming course requirement.
| Chemistry | Units | |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| 09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
| or | 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry (10 units) | |
| 09-218 | Organic Chemistry II | 9 |
| or | 09-220 Modern Organic II (10 units) | |
| 09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| 09-222 | Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis | 12 |
| Total Chemistry units | 62 | |
| Psychology Courses | Units | |
| 85-102 | Introduction to Psychology | 9 |
| 85-219 | Biological Foundations of Behavior | 9 |
| 85-2xx | Survey Psychology Courses ** | 18 |
| 85-310 | Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
| or | 85-340 Research Methods in Social Psychology (9 units) | |
| or | 85-320 Research Methods in Developmental Psychology (9 units) | |
| 85-3xx | Advanced Psychology Electives | 18 |
| Total Psychology units | 63 | |
** Excluding 85-261 Abnormal Psychology
Additional Advanced Elective
9 units(Choose one of the following courses)
| 85-3xx | Advanced Psychology Elective | 9 |
| or | ||
| 03-3xx | Advanced Biology Elective | 9 |
Additional Laboratory or Research Methods
9-12 units(Choose one of the following courses)
| 03-344 | Experimental Biochemistry | 12 |
| 03-345 | Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology | 12 |
| 85-310 | Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
| 85-320 | Research Methods in Developmental Psychology | 9 |
| 85-340 | Research Methods in Social Psychology | 9 |
| Elective Units | Units | |
| Free Electives | 33-36 | |
| H&SS/CFA Electives | 36 | |
| Total Elective units | 69-72 | |
360
Minimum number of units required for degree:
B.A. Biological Sciences
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree that is intended for students who wish to combine their interest in science with their interest(s) in other discipline(s) across campus. The requirements for the B.A. degree are distributed as follows:
Degree Requirements:
| Biological Sciences | Units | |
| 03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
| 03-231 | Biochemistry I | 9 |
| 03-240 | Cell Biology | 9 |
| 03-201 /202 Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores | 2 | |
| 03-330 | Genetics | 9 |
| 03-343 | Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology | 12 |
| or | 03-124 Modern Biology Laboratory (9 units) | |
| 03-411 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-412 | Topics in Research | 1 |
| 03-xxx | General Biology Electives (4) | 18 |
| 03-3xx | Advanced Biology Electives (5) | 18 |
| Total Biology units | 88 | |
4,5 Please see description and requirements for electives under the B.S. in Biological Sciences section of this Catalog.
| Chemistry | Units | |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| 09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
| or | 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry (10 units) | |
| 09-218 | Organic Chemistry II | 9 |
| or | 09-220 Modern Organic II (10 units) | |
| 09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| Total Chemistry units | 50 | |
| Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science | Units | |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| 21-122 | Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation | 10 |
| 33-111 | Physics I for Science Students | 12 |
| 33-112 | Physics II for Science Students | 12 |
| 15-110 | Principles of Computing (6) | 10 |
| 99-10x | Computing at Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
| Total Science units | 57 | |
6 15-101 Exploring Programming with Alice can substitute for 15-110 towards completion of the Programming course requirement.
| Elective courses | Units | |
| H&SS/CFA Electives | 72 | |
| Free Electives | 99-102 | |
| Total Elective units | 171-174 | |
360Minimum number of units required for degree:
Honors Program in Research Biology
The departmental Honors Program offers an opportunity to become extensively involved in research. The program requires students to conduct an independent project and to prepare a formal thesis that is written and defended in the senior year. This program does not preclude a student from completing any of the options within the department nor is it the only way in which students can participate in undergraduate research although it is excellent preparation for graduate studies.
Minor in Biological Sciences
All university students are eligible to pursue a minor in biological sciences in conjunction with a major in any other department in the university. A minimum of six biological sciences courses and two chemistry prerequisites must be completed to fulfill the minor in biological sciences. The curriculum includes four required courses and two elective courses as specified below. Units awarded for undergraduate research are not applicable to elective courses. Courses taken in other departments or colleges will be considered on an individual basis.
UnitsCourses for the Minor
| Prerequisites: | ||
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
| 09-217 | Organic Chemistry I | 9 |
| Required courses: | ||
| 03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
| 03-231 /232 Biochemistry I | 9 | |
| 03-240 | Cell Biology | 9 |
| 03-330 | Genetics | 9 |
| 03-xxx | General Biology Elective | 9 |
| 03-3xx | Advanced Biology Elective | 9 |
73Minimum number of units required for the minor: