Course Descriptions
Undergraduate
Honors Option - H-Options are an enrichment opportunity for Honors College members and other academically talented students to undertake Honors-caliber study and receive Honors credit for non-Honors courses authorized by the department and the Honors College.
Graduate
Undergraduate Courses
For the most up to date list of course offerings by semester, please visit the MSU schedule of courses page: www.schedule.msu.edu
- Course: BMB 101 "Frontiers in Biochemistry" UP
- Description: Topics in Biochemistry research
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year
- Credits: 1
- Restrictions: Open only to freshman and sophomores.
- Prerequisites: None
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 200 "Introduction to Biochemistry" UP
- Description: Introductions to the major classes of biomolecules and the metabolism of these molecules. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the relationship between the components of food and the components of living organisms. Special attention is paid to biochemistry in the context of human nutrition. This course is especially applicable for students wishing to pursue careers related to human and animal nutrition.
- Semester(s) offered: Summer and Fall of every year
- Credits: 4
- Restrictions: Not for Biochemistry majors.
- Prerequisites: CEM 143 or CEM 251 or CEM 351.
- Recommended Background: CEM 252 or CEM 352.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 370 "Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory" UP
- Description: Basic quantitative laboratory introducing biochemical methods and principles for the study of proteins and nucleic acids using data analysis.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: Open to undergraduate students in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology Major or in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major or in the Lyman Briggs Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Coordinate Major or in the Lyman Briggs-Biochemistry/Biotechnology Coordinate Major or approval of department.
- Prerequisites: {(MTH 116 or LB 117) or (MTH 103 and MTH 114) or (MTH 132 or LB 118 or MTH 152H) and (BS 171 or BS 191H or LB 145) and (CEM 162 or CEM 185H or LB 172L)
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 400 "Introduction to Bioinformatics" UP
Interdepartmental with Plant Biology, and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Administered by Plant Biology - Description: Bioinformatic theory and practice. How to manage and analyze sequences, structures, gene expression, and other types of biological data.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of odd years (Fall of even years beginning Fall 2016)
- Credits: 3
- Prerequisites: (STT 200 or STT 201 or STT 231 or STT 421) and (PLB 203 or MMG 201 or BMB 200)
- Recommended Background: An introductory biology course covering basic genetics, macromolecules, evolution, energy metabolism, genetic materials, and signal transduction is recommended for non-biology majors. A statistic course covering random variable, distributions, and basic probability theory is recommended for biology majors.
- Course: BMB 401 "Comprehensive Biochemistry" (in-person version offered in the spring) UP
- Description: Structure and function of major biomolecules, organization and regulation of metabolic pathways. Special emphasis on eukaryotic systems and the biochemical basis of human disease.
- This four-credit course is especially appropriate for those students preparing for careers in human and veterinary medicine and the allied health professions and fulfills the biochemistry requirements of many majors at Michigan State University. It does not meet the requirements for BMB and BMB/Biotechnology majors.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 4
- Restrictions: Not open to students in the Biochemistry or Biochemistry/Biotechnology major. Not open to students with credit in BMB 461.
- Prerequisites: CEM 252 or CEM 352.
- Recommended Background: BS 161 or BS 181H or LB 145
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- BMB 401 ONLINE SECTION: To access information (and syllabi) for the Online Section of BMB 401, click
- here: BMB 401 Online Course
-
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, Summer of every year
- Credits: 4
- Restrictions: Not open to students in the Biochemistry or Biochemistry/Biotechnology major. Not open to students with credit in BMB 461.
- Prerequisites: CEM 252 or CEM 352.
- Recommended Background: BS 161 or BS 181H or LB 145
- Course: BMB 461 "Advanced Biochemistry I" UP
- Description: This course is the first part of a two-semester series designed to provide biochemistry majors with a detailed understanding of the structure, function, and biophysical properties of biomolecules in a wide variety of organisms.. This half of the series focuses on proteins and carbohydrates including enzyme catalysis and kinetics, the central metabolic pathways, and photosynthesis.
- This three-credit course fulfills a portion of the biochemistry requirements for BMB and BMB/Biotechnology majors and is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to pursue research-oriented careers in the life sciences.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year (and Spring of every year beginning 2015)
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: Not open to students with credit in BMB 401.
- Prerequisites: (CEM 251 or CEM 351) and (CEM 252 or CEM 352) and (MTH 124 or MTH 132 or MTH 152H or LB 118) and (BS 161 or BS 181H or LB 145) and (BS 162 or concurrently) or (BS 182H or concurrently) or (LB 144 or concurrently)
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 462 "Advanced Biochemistry II" UP
- Description: Continuation of BMB 461. Structure, function, and biophysical properties of lipids and nucleic acids including membranes, lipid metabolism, signaling and metabolic regulation, DNA replication and repair, transcription, translation, and regulation of gene expression.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year (and Fall of every year beginning 2015)
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: None
- Prerequisites: BMB 461 or BMB 401
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 470 (Formerly BMB 472) "Biochemistry Laboratory" UP
- Description: Methods of molecular biology and the underlying principles on which these methods are based.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: Open to students in the BMB/Biotechnology major or in the BMB major or in the Lyman Briggs BMB Coordinate Major or in the Lyman Briggs-Biochemistry/Biotechnology Coordinate Major or approval of department.
- Prerequisites: BMB 370 and BMB 461.
- Recommended Background: BMB 462.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 471 "Biochemistry Laboratory" UP
- Description: Biochemical methods and principles used in the study of enzymes (proteins), carbohydrates, lipids and cell organelles.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: Open to students in the BMB/Biotechnology major or in the BMB major or in the Lyman Briggs BMB Coordinate Major or in the Lyman Briggs-Biochemistry/Biotechnology Coordinate Major or approval of department.
- Prerequisites: BMB 370, BMB 461, and CMSE 201.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 490 "Biochemistry Research" UP
- Description: Participation in a laboratory or library research project by arrangement with a BMB faculty member.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
- Credits: 1-4
- Restrictions: Approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course. Total credits in BMB 490 and BMB 499 may not exceed 8.
- Prerequisites: None
- Course: BMB 491 "Internship in BMB" UP
- Description: Supervised professional experience related to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Industry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science Policy, Science Communication, Research, Patent Law
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
- Credits: 1-4
- Restrictions: Approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Prerequisites: (BS 161 or BS 181H or LB 145) and (BS 162 or BS 182H or LB 144)
- Recommended: BMB 370
- Course: BMB 495 "Undergraduate Seminar (W)" UP
- Description: Extension and synthesis of concepts of biochemistry. Relationships to societal issues.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 2
- Restrictions: Open only to students in BMB or Biochemistry/Biotechnology majors.
- Prerequisites: BMB 462 or concurrently and Completion of Tier I Writing Requirement
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 499 "Senior Thesis (W)" UP
- Description: Laboratory research culminating in a thesis.
- A senior thesis is a capstone experience typically conducted over 2 semesters of 2-3 credits per semester. Students will conduct significant laboratory research and write a thesis based on their research. The thesis should be 15-20 pages long and shall include a significant survey of the field (2 page min) with references to original literature in biochemistry, molecular biology, and related fields. The thesis will be assessed by 2 professors (at least 1 from BMB). The research will be presented at the UURAF or a lab meeting/similar event if the UURAF conflicts with the student`s schedule.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
- Credits: 1-8
- Restrictions: Open to juniors or seniors. Approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits BMB 490 and BMB 499. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Prerequisites: Completion of Tier I Writing Requirement
Graduate Course Offerings UP
For the most up to date list of course offerings by semester, please visit the MSU schedule of courses page: www.schedule.msu.edu
- Course: BMB 801 "Molecular Biology" UP
- Description: Organization of genes. Regulation of gene expression, replication, and recombination.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: BMB 462, CEM 383
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 802 "Metabolic Regulation and Signal Transduction" UP
- Description: Molecular basis for metabolic regulation. Molecular signalling mechanisms and mechanisms for allosteric and covalent protein modifications.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: BMB 801
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 803 "Protein Structure and Function" UP
- Description: Protein structure and relationship of function to structure. Applications of kinetic methods to elucidation of enzyme mechanisms and regulation. (NOTE: This course is to serve students in non-BMB programs who desire a course in protein structure, but who do not require training in enzyme mechanisms. NOT open to Biochemistry majors or students who already have credit in BMB 805.)
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year (1st ten weeks of the semester)
- Credits: Total Credits: 2 Lecture/Recitation/Discussion Hours: 2
- Recommended Background: BMB 462 and CEM 383
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2023 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 805 "Protein Structure, Design, and Mechanism" UP
- Description: Protein architecture, dynamics, folding, stability, and evolution. Conformational changes, ligand binding, and kinetics. Elucidation of enzyme mechanisms.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: BMB 462 and CEM 383
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2023 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 816 "Integrative Toxicology: Mechanisms, Pathology and Regulation"
- (Interdepartmental with PHM) UP
- Description: Biochemical, molecular, and physiological mechanisms of toxicology. Functional and pathological responses of major organ systems to chemical insult. Mechanisms of mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and reproductive toxicology. Concepts in risk and safety assessment.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of odd years
- Credits: 3
- Prerequisite: PHM 819
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2019 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 825 "Cell Structure and Function" (Interdepartmental with MMG and PSL) UP
- Description: Molecular basis of structure and function. Cell properties: reproduction, dynamic organization, integration, programmed and integrative information transfer. Original investigations in all five kingsdoms.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: BMB 401 or BMB 461.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024
- Course: NEW BMB 829 "Special Problems in Macromolecular Analysis and Synthesis"
- Description: Techniques of isolation and characterization of macromolecules. (Topics may vary)
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of every year (starting Fall 2022)
- Credits: 1 per module (5 modules total)
- Recommended background: BMB 462 or concurrently.
- Module One Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Module Two Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Module Three Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Module Four Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Module Five Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 855 "Special Problems" UP
- Description: Laboratory or library research on special problems in biochemistry.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year.
- Credits: 1-4
- Restrictions: Approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Course: BMB 856 "Plant Molecular and Omic Biology" (Interdepartmental with and administered by Plant Biology) UP
- Description: Recent advances in genetics and molecular biology of higher plants.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: IBIO 341
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- Course: NEW BMB 864 "Biotechnology and Plant
- Biotechnology " (Interdepartmental with PLB) UP
- Description: Biotechnological applications of plant biochemistry. Development of concepts and ideas that may have the potential for commercialization.
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of even years
- Credits: 3
- Prerequisites: BMB 461 or BMB 462 or (PLB 866 or concurrently)
- Recommended background: (BMB 801 or BMB 961) or Interest in applied biotechnology, basic knowledge in molecular biology, genomics, or biochemistry.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024
- Course: BMB 866 "Molecular Plant Physiology" (Interdepartmental with PLB) UP
- Description: PLB 866 is designed for first year graduate students in the molecular plant sciences program but is open to anyone wanting a comprehensive treatment of molecular plant physiology. This is a core course in the MPS program and it is assumed that the student will have taken PLB 856. Topics in that course will not be repeated in this course. The main topics will be molecular (including biochemical) aspects of plant physiology including cell biology, photosynthesis, cell wall metabolism, lipid metabolism and other topics. A quantitative understanding of plant processes will be emphasized through a series of homework exercises.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall 2020, and then every Fall semester after that
- Credits: 3
- Recommended background: Enrolled in a graduate program in plant molecular science. An advanced undergraduate course in biochemistry or plant physiology.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 888 "Laboratory Rotation" UP
- Description: Participation in research laboratories to learn experimental techniques and approaches, broaden research experience, and assess research interests prior to selecting a thesis or dissertation advisor.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
- Credits: 1-4
- Restrictions: Open only to graduate students in Biochemistry. A student may earn a maximum of 12 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Course: BMB 899 "Master's Thesis Research" UP
- Description: Master's thesis research.
- Semester(s) offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer of every year
- Credits: 1-12
- Restrictions: Open only to master's students in Biochemistry. A student may earn a
maximum of 36 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Course: BMB 960 "Selected Topics in Biochemistry I" UP
- Description: Selected topics in Biochemistry with substantial student presentations
- Semester(s) offered: Fall and Spring of every year
- Credits: 1-3
- Restrictions: Open to graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or approval of department. A student may earn a maximum of 7 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Course: BMB 960 Sect 301 "Plant Biotechnology Research Forum" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Fall (First 10 weeks of the semester)
Credits: 1 - Restrictions: Restricted to Biochemistry Graduate Students or Approval of the Instructor
- Description: An advanced seminar focusing on reading of the literature and student presentations
on topics related to plant biotechnology. The course is integrated with the T32 graduate
training program `Plant Biotechnology for Health and Sustainability` (https://plantmetabolism.natsci.msu.edu/). The course focuses upon exposing students to a broader range of plant science fields,
critical evaluation of literature, and building scientific communication skills. Course
materials are closely aligned with speakers and focal topics of the October 18, 2024
Plant Biotechnology Minisymposium. Participation in class discussions will be a major
graded component of the course, and attendance of the minisymposium is expected.
If you are not a declared Biochemistry graduate student or an undergraduate, you will need to submit the online override request form (http://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/undergraduate/override-request-special-permissions-form/). Enrollment will be limited to 10.Grading will be based upon class participation (30%) and the research presentation (70%).
Course materials will be made available to enrolled students at D2L.msu.edu. - Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 960 001 (Cross-listed with CMB, GEN, and PLB departments) - "Topics in Molecular Plant Sciences" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Spring of every year
- Credits: 1
- Description: This course will critically assess recent work of each Molecular Plant
Sciences Seminar Series speaker during the semester. Each week of the semester, we
will discuss a recent publication by the speaker from that week’s seminar. One student
will present a paper each week for discussion, highlighting the methods used and key
findings. Students will be expected to actively participate in discussion and will
develop their critical thinking skills and expand their molecular plant science knowledge
base.
NOTE: Students will be expected to attend the MPS seminar series held Mondays from 4 – 5 pm in addition to the regular class time. - IMPORTANT: Because the BMB 960 course is technically restricted to Biochemistry majors, you will need to submit the department online override request form, if you are not BMB: https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/undergraduate/override-request-form/ Taught in conjunction with CMB 800 sec 002,GEN 800 sec 001, and PLB 802 sec 002. Please enroll through whichever department you want the course to show up as, on your transcript.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2025 (PDF)
- Course: NEW BMB 960 "Artificial Intelligence Applications for Structural Biology" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Spring 2024
- Credits: 1
- Description: This literature-based seminar course will focus on recent developments of artificial intelligence (AI) methods in structural biology and biochemistry. One student will present a paper each week as a basis for critical discussion with all partcipants. Topics will cover the use of AI in tackling diverse structural biology problems, including the prediction of protein structures and their interactions, generative protein design, modeling structural dynamics, and integration with experiments such as cryo-EM. Through critical and active discussions, the students will expand their knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of current AI methods for structural biology and obtain a view of the latest advancements and emerging directions in the field. As much of the recent literature involves preprints, the course also offers an opportunity to learn how to critically interpret non peer-reviewed publications. The course aims at students with either experimental or computational research focus. Discussion will consider methodological and biological aspects, based on the scientific background and interests of each participant.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2024 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 961 "Selected Topics in Biochemistry II" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Fall and Spring of every year
- Credits: 1-3
- Restrictions: Open to graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or approval of department.
- Description: Selected topics in Biochemistry with faculty lectures, laboratory, or
other instruction
- Course: BMB 961 "Genomics and Proteomics and Complex Genetic Systems" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Fall of even years
- Credits: 2
- Restrictions: Restricted to Biochemistry Graduate Students or Approval of the Instructor
- Description: Selected topics in Biochemistry with faculty lectures, laboratory, or
other instruction
Prerequisites: BMB 801 or instructor approved equivalent - NOTE: If you are NOT a Biochemistry major, you must contact Dr. John Lapres (lapres@msu.edu) for approval.
(NOTE: Please fill out this override request form and then contact the instructor: https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/undergraduate/override-request-special-permissions-form/).
Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2020 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 961 "Metals in Biology" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Varies - please check the schedule of courses page for updates: www.schedule.msu.edu
- Credits: 2
- Restrictions: Restricted to Biochemistry Graduate Students or Approval of the Instructor
- Description: "Metals in Biology" is intended for graduate students with backgrounds in biochemistry, molecular/cellular biology, microbiology, and/or chemistry. (May be cross-listed with the MMG and CMB departments.) In this course we will discuss the roles of metals in biological systems, including metalloenzymes, metallocenter biosynthesis, metal transport, metal toxicity, and metaloregulation. Discussions will focus on the catalytic mechanisms as well as they way in which the different protein environments 'tune' their active site. Student presentations will be an important emphasis in this class.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2023
- Course: BMB 961 "Machine Learning for Molecular Dynamics" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Usually offered in Spring (check www. schedule.msu.edu for updates)
- Credits: 2
- Prerequisites: Experience with Python
- Description: For almost 50 years, researchers have used in silico approaches to gain insight into the dynamics of molecular systems. Advances in computational hardware and algorithms have greatly increased the reach of these simulations both in the size of the systems studied and the timescales of the events of interest. Machine learning is bringing transformative changes to the field of molecular dynamics, impacting how initial structures and parameters are generated, how simulations are run, and how they are analyzed. This graduate-level course will provide an introduction to both machine learning and molecular dynamics theory. Students will learn about modern tools for both MD and ML, and apply them to problems in a collaborative, hands-on environment
- NOTE: For more information and permission to enroll, please contact Dr. Alex Dickson by email (alexrd@msu.edu). Please also submit an override request at https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/undergraduate/override-request-special-permissions-form/
- Most Recent Syllabus: Spring 2022 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 961 "Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Please check the schedule of courses page for current information (www.schedule.msu.edu)
- Credits: 2
- Restrictions: Open to doctoral students in the Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology or approval of department.
- Description: Fundamentals of pharmaceutical drug discovery including basic chemistry, drug-design principles, high throughput screening, computational modeling, and drug metabolic pathways.
- If you are unable to enroll on your own, or are an undergraduate student, you will
need to submit the BMB online course override form found in the 'Undergraduate' tab
drop down menu on the BMB Dept website homepage: www.bmb.natsci.msu.edu and then contact Dr. Kin Sing (sing@msu.edu) for approval to enroll.
- Most recent syllabus: Spring 2023
- NOTE: Course is taught in conjunction with PHM 809.
- Course: BMB 961 "Cryo Electron Microscopy of Biological Samples Laboratory" UP
- Semester(s) offered: Varies - please check the class schedules page here: https://student.msu.edu/search
- Credits: 3
- Restrictions: Restricted to Biochemistry Graduate Students or Approval of the Instructor
-
Description: First half of the semester involves weekly lectures on cryo-EM theory and hands on training. Second half of the semester involves student projects. In addition to the lectures on Mondays, there will be a lab component during the week, with hours to be arranged. NOTE: Cost is $1,000 to offset perishable items. A midterm will be given on theory. The final exam will be a combination of a practical demonstrating use of the instrument and a presentation to the class of the project progress. Open primarily to graduate students. Undergraduates can also participate, although this will likely be for rare circumstances. There will be 8 spots available in this course but everyone will need instructor permission to enroll. Please contact Dr. Parent at kparent@msu.edu and then submit the Biochemistry online override request form found in the "Undergraduate" tab drop down menu, on the Biochemistry department website homepage: bmb.natsci.msu.edu. Course will be held in the Engineering Research Center East (cryo-EM facility), room D122 for the Monday lectures and the arranged labs.
- Most Recent Syllabus: Fall 2023 (PDF)
- Course: BMB 978 Seminar in Biochemistry UP
- Semester: Fall of every year, Spring of every year
- Credits: Total Credits: 1
- Reenrollment Information: A student may earn a maximum of 8 credits in all enrollments for this course.
- Restrictions: Open only to graduate students in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- Description: BMB Colloquium seminars on biochemistry research mainly with visiting
scientists. Seminars are held on Thursday mornings.