Metadata
Title
Chemistry & Biology Major
Category
undergraduate
UUID
f632fc4623284ca3a1317c4ac0f3139a
Source URL
https://chemistry.mit.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate-programs/chemistry-bio...
Parent URL
https://biology.mit.edu/undergraduate/major-minor-requirements/
Crawl Time
2026-03-09T04:19:00+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Chemistry & Biology Major

Source: https://chemistry.mit.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate-programs/chemistry-biology-major/ Parent: https://biology.mit.edu/undergraduate/major-minor-requirements/

The Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry offer a joint curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology. The focus is on the intersection of these two subject areas, encompassing Biochemistry and Chemical Biology. Students in the program are full members of both departments, with one academic advisor from each department.

Careers

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology prepares students for careers that involve applications of both subjects, including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as further graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemical biology. The interdepartmental major program also provides a strong foundation for the study of clinical and research careers in medicine and related health professions.

Curriculum

The curriculum provides strong foundations in both Chemistry and Biology, with flexibility in elective subjects that enables students to tailor their major program to their specific interests within the broad interface of Biology and Chemistry. The requirements listed below are effective for the 2019-2020 Academic Year. The prior degree requirements are available here; if you have questions about the different requirements please contact Jennifer Weisman (Academic Administrator).

Required Lecture Subjects

Restricted Electives

Select 30 units of the following:

*1 Subject has prerequisites that are outside the program.\ 2 Students must complete 6.C01 & 7.C01 simultaneously in order to receive credit.*

Departmental Laboratory Requirement

Select one of the following options:

Option 1\ 5.361 Recombinant DNA Technology\ 5.362 Cancer Drug Efficacy (CI-M)

Option 2\ 7.003 Molecular Biology Laboratory (CI-M)

Chemistry & Biology Major Roadmaps

Roadmap for Lab Option 1

First Year – Fall

First Year – Spring

Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*Alternative path: 7.002 in Sophomore – Fall & 5.351, 5.352, and 5.353 in Sophomore – Spring

Roadmap for Lab Option 2

First Year – Fall

First Year– Spring

Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*Alternative path: 7.002 in Sophomore – Fall & 5.351, 5.352, and 5.353 in Sophomore – Spring

** 7.003 may be taken anytime during the Junior or Senior year after 7.002 and 5.07/7.05 have been completed

Roadmap for Lab Option 1 - 1st Term Sophomore Start

First Year – Fall

First Year – Spring

Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*Alternative path: 7.002 in Sophomore – Fall & 5.351, 5.352, and 5.353 in Sophomore – Spring

Roadmap for Lab Option 2 - 1st Term Sophomore Start

First Year – Fall

First Year– Spring

Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*Alternative path: 7.002 in Sophomore – Fall & 5.351, 5.352, and 5.353 in Sophomore – Spring

** 7.003 may be taken anytime during the Junior or Senior year after 7.002 and 5.07/7.05 have been completed

Roadmap for Lab Option 1 - 2nd Term Sophomore Start

First Year & Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*5.601 can be taken at any time in the Junior or Senior year

Roadmap for Lab Option 2 - 2nd Term Sophomore Start

First Year & Sophomore – Fall

Sophomore – Spring

Junior – Fall

Junior – Spring

Senior – Fall

Senior – Spring

*5.601 can be taken at any time in the Junior or Senior year