Structure of a bis-benzimidazole drug bound in the minor groove of the DNA duplex C-G-C-G-A-A-T-T-C-G-C-G. PDB: 109D Czarny, A., Boykin, D. W., Wood, A. A., Nunn, C. M., Neidle, S., Zhao, M., Wilson, W. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 4716.

Our objective is to enable students to think at the interface, to effortlessly move back and forth between chemistry and biology. They will have the background to appreciate the biological context of their research questions and they will have mastered the chemistry fundamentals that underlie the properties and reactions of biomolecules. These students will be able to make connections and have insights that are difficult to obtain without a thorough training in both chemistry and biology. We expect that the program in Chemistry and Biology will capture the imaginations of talented HMC students and reinforce their abilities to think across disciplines.

If you are interested in knowing more about this new opportunity you should contact Professor Stephen Adolph (Biology) at stephen_adolph@hmc.edu or Professor Hal Van Ryswyk (Chemistry) at hal_vanryswyk@hmc.edu.

Requirements for the Degree
Required courses for the joint major are listed below. In addition, students must complete the Technical Core and the Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts requirements common to all HMC students.  Joint majors have two advisors, one from Chemistry and one from Biology.

Chemistry 51 - Physical Chemistry
Chemistry 53 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry 56 - Carbon Compounds
Chemistry 58 - Carbon Compounds Laboratory
Chemistry 103 - Analytical Chemistry
Chemistry 105 - Organic Chemistry
Chemistry 109 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry 111 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Biology 54 - Biology Laboratory
Biology 111: Molecular Biology Laboratory
Biology 113: Molecular Biology
Biology 182/Chemistry 182 - Chemistry in Living Systems
Biology 184/Chemistry 184 - Methods in Biochemistry
Biology 189/Chemistry 189 - Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

One course selected from:

Biology 101 - Comparative Physiology
Biology 108 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
Biology 109 - Evolutionary Biology

Five elective credits of upper-level Biology coures, to be selected by the student in consultation with her/his advisor.  Prior permission from the Department of Biology is required.

Colloquium/Seminar
Two semesters of Biology 191-192 and two semesters of Chemistry 199 where the same course is taken an entire year.

Senior Research (6 units)
Chemistry 151-152 or Biology 193-194 (Thesis will have two readers, a mentor from one department and a co-reader from the other department).

NOTE: In order to optimize their opportunities and to enable individual flexibility, students may request to count other courses not currently listed as Biology electives. These other courses might include new Biology courses developed at HMC, cross-listed HMC courses (e.g., topics in biological engineering), and appropriate courses offered by other Claremont Colleges. Prior approval, granted by the faculties of Biology and Chemistry, will be required to substitute electives.

Sample Pathway Through the Joint Major in Chemistry and Biology

SOPHOMORE YEAR

JUNIOR YEAR

SENIOR YEAR