Registration Guide: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

If you have a strong foundation in both chemistry and mathematics, your first course should be CAS CH 109 General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry 1 (offered fall semesters only). This is an advanced course designed for all BMB & Chemistry majors, and students must possess a good working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry as well as high school chemistry prior to taking this course. CH 109 will also prepare you to take CAS CH 110 in the spring semester.

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If you do not have a strong foundation in both chemistry and mathematics, your first course should be CAS CH 101 General Chemistry 1. This is an introductory course designed for all science majors and students must have completed two years of high school algebra prior to taking this course.

• Please note: BMB majors who complete the CH 101/102 sequence instead of CH 109/110 are also required to complete CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (offered spring & summer semesters only).

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If you are starting in the spring semester, please work with your academic advisor to find the best chemistry course for you.

• If you already have credit for CAS CH 101 with a lab & CH102 with a lab (through dual enrollment), then you will likely be advised to take CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.
• If you already have credit for CAS CH 101 with a lab (through dual enrollment), then you will likely be advised to take CAS CH 102 General Chemistry 2.
• It is highly recommended that students with AP/IB/other forms of advanced credit forfeit their advanced credit to enroll in CAS CH 101 General Chemistry 1. The AP/IB Chemistry curriculum does not cover the learning outcomes expected from Chemistry majors.

If you have any further questions about which chemistry level to register for, please review the General Chemistry Advising page.

Mathematics course: The BMB major requires two mathematics or computer science courses (one of which must be calculus or statistics). If you’re starting in the fall semester, we recommend your second course be one of the following:

• Calculus 1: CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123
• Statistics 1: CAS MA 115
• Calculus 2: CAS MA 122 (prerequisite: CAS MA 121) or CAS MA 124 (prerequisite: CAS MA 123)
• Statistics 2: CAS MA 116 (prerequisite: CAS MA 115)
• Computer Science: CAS CS 105, CAS CS 108, or CAS CS 111
  • If you have AP, IB, or other external credit for one of the above mathematics courses, you can register for another mathematics course or a computer science course.
  • If you have advanced credit for two mathematics, or a mathematics and computer science course, you have fulfilled this requirement. In this case, you should consider a course of interest, as explained below.
  • Please note, students cannot take more than one Calculus 1 course (CAS MA 121 and MA 123) for units toward graduation.

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Biology course: If you’re starting in the spring semester, your second course should be CAS BI 108 General Biology 2 (offered spring semester only). If you have advanced credit (such as AP or IB scores) equivalent to CAS BI 108, you can instead take a math course, as explained above.

Please note: If you hope to take chemistry, biology, and mathematics in one semester, please connect with your academic advisor to ensure that you have the proper preparation for the rigor of these courses.

CAS Language Course: CAS students must exhibit proficiency through the fourth-semester level of a language other than English. If you have not already done so, please review the full language policy here.

If you plan to fulfill this language requirement through coursework at BU, then your next course should be a language course:

• If you’re new to the language, you’ll start with the first-semester level (usually coded as 111 – for example, Spanish 1 is CAS LS 111, Arabic 1 is CAS LY 111, etc.). 
• If you have previously studied the language, you will need to take a placement test to determine what level to start with (for instance, CAS LS 112 Spanish 2, CAS LY 211 Arabic 3, CAS LK 212 Korean 4, etc.). Please review the CAS Language Requirement page for detailed information about placement tests and appropriate levels.

If you’ll fulfill the language requirement through advanced credit (such as AP/IB scores) or through native proficiency of another language, you have fulfilled your language requirement and can instead take a course of interest (as seen below).

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Pre-Health Course (if you are considering medical/dental/pharmacy school): Students who complete a BMB major will have the following additional requirements in order to satisfy the requirements for application to the aforementioned graduate programs:

• Future Biology Courses: CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology (offered both semesters)
• Additional Courses: CAS PS 101 General Psychology, CAS SO 100 Principles of Sociology, and CAS MA 113, 115, or 213 Statistics 1

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement.

Your fourth course should be a writing course:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds: (offered fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (1 unit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit, low stress, non-academic class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. FY101 helps you get a head start on making connections at BU. Each section is taught by a student peer mentor and a staff instructor.

• FY101 classes are small and are for new students only, so they provide a great way to get to know other first-years!
• Your peer mentor and instructor will provide resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience and help you get ahead in your first semester here.
• FY101 includes free, optional trips around Boston.
• There are specialty sections based on major and identity (e.g., Natural Sciences, First Generation, etc ) so be sure to choose the one that’s right for you!

If you are interested in the Core Curriculum, we recommend registering for CAS CC 101 for your writing course (see above in Course #4). There are additional natural science Core courses offered; however, we do not typically recommend these for natural science majors who are already taking a lab course this semester. If you have questions about completing additional Core courses beyond CAS CC 101, please talk about this with your academic advisor!

Find out more about the Core Curriculum, the Hub, and registration here.