Students may elect a B.A. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology, B.A. in Biological Sciences, B.S. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology, or B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Core courses required of all biosciences majors: (47 credits)
• Math 101 (3), 102 (3)
• Chem 121(4), 122 (4), 211 (3), 212 (3), 215 (2)
• Physics 125 (4), 126 (4)
• Bios 201 (3), 202 (3), 301 (3)
• one Group B Bios course (3)
• Bios lab courses 211 (2), 213 (1)
Math 111 and 112 may be substituted for Math 101; Chem 151, 152 may be substituted for Chem 121, 122; Chem 251, 252 may be substituted for Chem 211, 212; Phys 101 and 102 or Phys 111 and 112 and their labs may be substituted for Phys 125, 126. See listings in the Courses of Instruction for Group A and B designations. No course may be counted more than once toward any of the major requirements.
One of the advanced laboratory course requirements can be satisfied by taking any of the following: (i) Bios 310 if taken for at least three credits or Bios 306 if taken for at least two credits; (ii) Hons 470/471, if the research supervisor is from one of the Biosciences departments, or if the research is biological in nature and pre-approved by the student's advisor; (iii) Bios 412; or(iv) Bios 393.
B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (20 credits)
In addition to the core courses required of all biosciences majors,B.A. majors within this option must also take:
• Math 211 (3) or Math 213 (3)
• Bios lab 311 (2)
• Bios 341 (3)
• two of the following courses (6): Bios 302, Bios 344, Bios 352
• two additional Group A biosciences courses, only one of which may be Bios 401 or 402 (6)
Chem 310 or Chem 311 and 312 may be substituted for Bios 352. Neur 511 and 512 or Bioe 430 or Bioe 435 may be substituted for one Group A course. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of Bios 390.
B.A. in Biological Sciences (19 credits)
In addition to the core courses that are required of all biosciences majors, B.A. majors within this option must take:
• Math 211, Math 213, Stat 305, or Bios 338 (3)
• One of the following Group A courses (3): Bios 302, 341, 344, 352
• One additional Group A course (3)
• Two Group B courses (6)
• One additional Group A or Group B course (3)
Only one of the courses used to satisfy these group A and group B requirements may be BIOS 401, 402, 403, or 404. Neur 511 and 512 or Bioe 430 or Bioe 435 may be substituted for one Group A course. Chem 310 or Chem 311 and 312 may be substituted for Bios 352. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of Bios 390 and 3 credits of Bios 391. Students desiring to specialize in ecology and evolutionary biology can choose a group B course for the group A or B course and their advanced lab can be Bios 316, 317, 327, 330, 337, or 393.
B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (26 credits)
In addition to the core courses required of all biosciences majors,B.S.majors must also take:
• Math 211 (3) or Math 213 (3)
• Bios lab 311 (2)
• Bios 302 (3)
• Bios 341 (3)
• Bios 344 (3)
• Bios 352 (3) or Chem 312/313 (3)
• Three additional Group A bioscience courses (9)
Bios 401 and 402 are recommended Group A courses in the B.S. degree program. Neur 511 and 512 or Bioe 430 or Bioe 435 may be substituted for one Group A course. Chem 310 or Chem 311 and 312 may be substituted for Bios 352. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of Bios 390.
B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (26 credits)
In addition to the core courses required of all biosciences majors,B.S. majors must also take:
• Math 211, Math 213, Stat 305, or Bios 338 (3)
• one of the following advanced laboratory courses (1): Bios 316, 317, 327, 330, 337, 393
• one Group A biosciences course (3)
• Bios 403 (5) and Bios 404 (5)
• two additional Group B biosciences courses (6)
• one additional biosciences course from Group A or B (3)
Neur 511 and 512 or Bioe 430 or Bioe 435 may be substituted for one Group A course. Students may receive credit toward the major for a maximum of 3 credits of Bios 390 and 3 credits of Bios 391.
Advising. Students should contact the appropriate departmental office to be assigned to an advisor. Those pursuing a B.S. or B.A. in Biochemistry & Cell Biology should contact that department office. Those pursuing a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology should contact that department office. Those electing a B.A. in Biological Sciences may choose the department that most closely corresponds to their interests, and that choice may be changed at any time. Students interested in environmental careers should consult with the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department for a list of recommended courses. See also Environmental Studies listings and Environmental Science Double Major.
It is recommended that the 100-level mathematics and chemistry courses be taken in the freshman year; that the 100-level physics courses and the 200-level biosciences courses be taken in either the freshman or sophomore year; and that Chem 211, 212, 215 be taken in the sophomore year. Those with a limited background in chemistry should complete Chem 121, 122 before taking Bios 201, 202. Others are urged to take Bios 201, 202 as freshmen, to permit earlier access to advanced level Bios courses. Phys 125 and 126 are the preferred physics courses for biosciences majors. However, Phys 101 and 102 or Phys 111 and 112 and their labs may be taken instead by those wishing to preserve the option of majoring in a subject for which Phys 101 and 102 are required.
Bios 311 is a prerequisite for Bios 415 and both Bios 311 and 313 are prerequisites for Bios 413. These prerequisites will be strictly enforced, and may be waived by the instructor only under unusual circumstances. BCB majors and majors in Biological Sciences with primary interests in cell and molecular biology are advised to take Bios 311 as early as possible to allow for scheduling these lab modules.
An undergraduate major in biosciences must have 48 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or higher to obtain a B.A. or B.S. degree. Students must also complete no fewer than 60 semester hours outside the departmental requirements. These must include the courses needed to satisfy the university distribution requirements.
Accelerated Rice B.A.-B.S./Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Qualified undergraduate students at Rice can apply to enroll in the biochemistry and cell biology graduate program in their senior year. The course requirements for graduate studies are therefore completed at the same time as the upper-level undergraduate degree requirements; laboratory research performed as part of the undergraduate thesis project can serve as the initial phases of the Ph.D. thesis work. As a result, the graduate careers of these students will be accelerated by at least one full year, and, in principle, such students should be able to obtain their Ph.D. degrees approximately three years after obtaining their B.A. or B.S. degree.
Criteria for selection include academic performance (GPA ≥ 3.3), GRE scores, motivation, previous research experience, and personal qualities. Selection is made by the department admissions committee.
Mechanics of the Program. The program requires the completion of two and one-half years (or their equivalent) of undergraduate studies at Rice before a student can be considered for enrollment in the accelerated Ph.D. program. To continue in the program, the following requirements must be fulfilled: (1) The student must take the GRE before receiving the B.A. or B.S. degree and receive scores greater than 80 percent in the Analytical and Quantitative Tests; (2) students must also maintain at least a B average in all courses in their senior year; and (3) the usual graduate requirements will apply for continuation in the program.
4/15/2009
