The CBI curriculum is designed to equip students from chemistry and biology backgrounds with the interdisciplinary training needed to tackle research at the chemistry-biology interface. Our program ensures that students develop expertise in both fields by requiring at least one approved Biological Science elective and one approved Chemical Science elective, alongside the coursework of their home department.
To foster collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning, the CBI program offers specialized courses and activities, including Chalk Talk, Ethics, Drug Design, Student Seminar, Biology and Chemistry Electives, OPD Events, and Lab Modules. These opportunities provide a platform for students to exchange ideas, refine their research skills, and build a strong scientific network. Additionally, CBI students are encouraged to attend relevant seminars across departments to broaden their knowledge and connections.
By integrating the synthetic, mechanistic, and analytical strengths of chemistry with cutting-edge biological research, the CBI program prepares students to make groundbreaking contributions in their fields. The full list of curricular requirements is summarized on the right.
CBI Curriculum Summary
| Training | Requirements | Time Table |
| Chalk Talk | 4 x 1 credit | Years 1 – 5 |
| Ethics | 1 credit | Year 1 or 2 – May workshop or Spring semester |
| Drug Design | 3 credits | Year 1 or 2 – Spring |
| Student Seminar | 2 x 1 credit | Year 2 – Spring Year 4 or 5 – Spring |
| Biological Science Elective | 3 credits | Year 1 or 2 |
| Chemical Science Elective | 3 credits | Year 1 or 2 |
| Data Science for the Life Sciences | 3 credits | Future new course requirement Year 3 |
| OPD Event | 1 per semester | ongoing |
| Lab Module | 4 total | Years 2-5 |
Biological Science Electives
| Course | Class |
| AnimlSci 572 | Infection and Immunity |
| AnimlSci 581/697C | Cancer Biology/Carcinogenesis |
| AnimlSci 697K | Advanced Immunology |
| AnimlSci 672 | Molecular Medicine |
| Biochem 523 | General Biochem I |
| Biochem 524 | General Biochem II |
| Biochem 623 | Advanced Gen Biochm |
| Biochem/MolclBio 642 | Advanced Molcl Biology |
| Biology 572 | Neurobiology |
| Biology 580 | Developmental Biology |
| Biology 583 | Advanced Genetics |
| Biology 597GE | Evolutionary Genetics |
| Chem 423 | Biochemistry for Chemists |
| Chem 797T | Frontiers in Biotechnology |
| MolclBio 641 | Advanced Cell Biology |
| MolclBio 680 | Advanced Microbial Physiology |
| MolcBio 685 | Concepts in Molecular Genetics |
| MicroBio 565 | Lab in Molecular Genetics |
| NeuroS&B 617 | Molcl, Cellular, and Dev Neurobio |
Chemical Science Electives
| Course | Class |
| Chem 471 | Elementary Physical Chemistry |
| Chem 551 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Chem/Molclbio 590CB | Chemical Biology |
| Chem 650 | Metals in Biology |
| Chem 728 | Physical Biochemistry |
| Chem 777 | Biomolecular NMR |
| Chem 791L | Bioanalytical Chemistry |
| Chem 627 | Biomolecular Structure |
| Chem 791J | Biological Mass Spectrometry |
| Chem 891G | Grad Core |
| ChemEng 592B | Intro Biochemical Eng |
| ChemEng 621 | Thermodynamics I |
| Polymer 607 | Intro Synthetic Polymer Chem |
| Polymer 608 | Physical Chem Polymer I |
| Polymer 760 | Organic Polymerization Rctn |