Director of undergraduate studies: Andrew Miranker, 318 BASS, 432-8954, MBBUndergrad@yale.edu; mb&b.yale.edu

Members of the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (MB&B) are united by a common view that processes in biology are understood when molecular, chemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic contributions to mechanisms have been elucidated. Correspondingly, our faculty and students are joined by a shared fascination with biochemistry, physical chemistry, structural biology, computation, spectroscopy, macromolecular engineering, imaging and the molecular basis of disease. 

Three quarters of our graduates matriculate into PhD, MD, and MD/PhD programs. Other recent graduates have joined companies specializing in finance, management consulting, biotechnology, and pharma. Others have matriculated in law or business school and doctoral programs in the humanities. Still others have performed public service, entered secondary education, or joined the United States armed forces as officers.

Requirements of the major

The core elements of the major are biophysics, biochemistry, and science and society. The requirements beyond these core elements teach advanced concepts, and teach the technology and practical skills that enable scholarship in the discipline.

Students are held to the requirements that were in place when they declared their major. However, with approval from the director of undergraduate studies (DUS), the following requirements, updated for the academic year 2024-2025, may be fulfilled by students who declared the major in a prior term.

B.A. Degree Program The B.A. degree program requires a total of 9.5 course credits to include: 3 biophysics credits; 3 biochemistry credits, a half-credit for science and society; 1 credit to fulfill the practical skills requirement; 1 elective; and the senior requirement. 

The core Biophysics requirements are two semesters of physics (PHYS 170 and 171 or higher) and one semester of biophysical chemistry (MB&B 275 or CHEM 332).

The core Biochemistry requirements include MB&B 300 and 301 (substitutions are not permitted), and CHEM 175 or any 200+ level Chemistry course.

The Science and Society core requirement is 0.5 credit (MB&B 268 is recommended) and addresses the intersection of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry with human identity and society. Alternatives to MB&B 268 are MB&B 107, AFAM 170, HSHM 206, 241, 406, HSHM 409, HSHM 424, HSHM 436, 475, 481, HIST 479, SOCY 126, 127, 351, MCDB 375, WGSS 270, 457, 741. Students may petition for course substitutions.

The Practical skills requirement is fulfilled with one full-credit or two half-credit courses spread across two or three of the categories listed below. At least one half-credit must come from MB&B.  

• Physics lab options include MB&B 121L, MB&B 122L, 123L, 124L, 470 and 471*, PHYS 165L, 166L, CHEM 355L, other 200+ level lab courses with DUS approval.

• Biochemistry Lab options include MB&B 251L, 470 and 471*, CHEM 355L, other 200+ level lab courses with DUS approval.

• Critical Tools options include MB&B 435, 470 and 471*, S&DS 105, 238, CPSC 112 and others with DUS approval.

*MB&B 470 and 471 are research for credit courses. Above categorization is dependent on the research project. Up to two credits may be taken for a letter grade. 

The Elective course should be a lecture or seminar MB&B course at the 200+ level.

B.S. Degree Program The B.S. degree program requires a total of 12.5 course credits including the senior requirement. This program follows the requirements and policies of the B.A. degree program with the following additions. 

For the core Biophysics requirement: one additional 300+ course in physical sciences, mathematics, statistics or computer science

For the Practical Skills requirement: one additional credit for a total of two credits

For the elective courses: one additional 200+ level seminar or lecture course in STEM

Combined B.S./M.S. Degree Program The B.S./M.S. degree program requires a total of 18.5 course credits including the senior requirement. See Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees." Interested students should consult their academic adviser prior to the fifth term of enrollment for details and application requirements (due December 1 of the fifth semester). The B.S./M.S. program follows the requirements of the B.S. Degree program with the following additions.

For the core Biophysics requirement: one additional 300+ course in thermodynamics, statistical mech, quantum and/or spectroscopy (CHEM 332 is recommended). PHYS 180 and 181 in place of PHYS 170 and 171.

The Practical Skills requirement is replaced by one semester of MB&B 470 or 471 which must be completed by the end of the fifth semester.

For the Elective course, the single MB&B 200+ seminar or lecture elective is replaced by two MB&B electives at 500+ and four 500+ electives in STEM.

Concentrations

Concentrations in MB&B are sets of electives, curated by faculty, designed to focus attention on specific subfields of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry. Concentrations appear on a student’s official Yale transcript and are currently available in Biochemistry; Biophysics and Structural Biology; Chemical Biology; Computational Biology and Bioinformatics; Environment and Climate Change; and Medicine. Students must fulfill all major degree requirements, earning a concentration is optional. For specific concentration requirements see the Concentrations section. 

Electives taken for the major that meet the same criteria as requirements for a concentration may be used to fulfill both requirements. Placement exams and acceleration credits do not count towards completion of concentration-specific requirements. Instead, majors enroll in higher-level courses in the same concentration-specific category. Depending on the particular concentration and the choice of electives, concentrations add between zero and three additional credits to major requirements. 

Some concentrations include research-for-credit courses or course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) as a mechanism to fulfill a requirement. These courses must directly relate to the chosen concentration (broadly interpreted) and require DUS approval.

Credit/D/Fail One course taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the requirements of the major. This does not affect students’ ability to graduate with distinction, but does count against Yale’s limit of 6 total Credit/D/Fail courses. Qualifying courses must be 400+ in MB&B, and 300+ in any other STEM subject. For B.S./M.S. students, all required coursework must be taken for a letter grade.

Senior Requirement

The senior requirement for both the B.S. and the B.A. is fulfilled by successful completion of a one credit senior essay. Students may enroll in MB&B 490 and prepare a written report and make an oral presentation of a literature project or students may enroll in MB&B 491 and write an essay that draws on laboratory research performed at Yale College. Students meet with faculty members in charge of the courses during the first two weeks of the term in which they are writing their essay, to agree on a topic and an approach. It is appropriate for students who took research for credit earlier in their training to write on their research topic. The literature project for the senior requirement should be original work approved by the faculty member overseeing MB&B 490.

The senior requirement for B.S./M.S. is completion of MB&B 570 and 571 taken during senior year. 

Advising

Students are encouraged to declare their major long before completion of the introductory courses. This greatly improves academic advising. Changing majors at Yale does not require approval and is non-binding.

Students are assigned a member of MB&B faculty for academic advising as soon as they declare their major. Requests to change advisers should be sent to the registrar via email (elizabeth.vellali@yale.edu). Justification is not required nor is DUS approval.

Course Substitutions Students may petition their MB&B academic adviser for course substitutions by assembling the relevant syllabi and writing a short justification (less than 300 words). Thoughtful requests in line with MB&Bs teaching goals are always welcome.

DUS approvals: DUS approvals for waivers, course substitutions, endorsement of petitions to the Committee on Honors and Academic Standing, applications to the B.S./M.S. program etc., are initiated by an email of support from students’ assigned MB&B academic adviser. The academic adviser functions as the student’s advocate on requests to the DUS with the MB&B registrar giving oversight and interfacing with the University registrar. One-on-one meetings by majors with their MB&B academic adviser during every registration period are logged. Failure to schedule meetings and missed meetings are factored into the DUS approval process.

Graduate work Graduate courses in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, biology, and the biomedical sciences that may be of interest to undergraduates are listed in the Graduate School online bulletin, and many are posted on the Biological and Biomedical Sciences website. Additional information is available from the DUSs and the director of graduate studies. Undergraduates with an appropriate background may enroll with the permission of the director of graduate studies and the instructor.

Combined B.S./M.S. degree program A very small number of students will be eligible to complete a four-year course of study within 8 terms of enrollment leading to the simultaneous award of the B.S. and M.S. degrees. See Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.” Interested students should consult their academic adviser prior to the fifth term of enrollment.

Introductory courses 

• BIOL 101
• BIOL 102
• 2 terms of general chemistry with associated labs
• 1 term of organic chemistry with associated lab
• 2 terms of calculus
• BIOL 103 and 104 for some concentrations

​

Requirements for the B.S. Degree

13 courses (12.5 credits), including the senior requirement, but not the introductory courses

• 4 biophysics credits to include:
  • MB&B 275 or CHEM 332
  • 2 physics courses, PHYS 170 and PHYS 171 or higher
  • 1 course 300-level or higher
• 3 biochemistry credits to include MB&B 300, MB&B 301, and CHEM 175 or a different 200-level chemistry course
• MB&B 268 (half-credit for Science and Society core requirement) or other course as approved by DUS
• 2 practical skills credits
• 1 MB&B elective 200-level or higher
• 1 MB&B elective 200-level or higher or lecture course in STEM
• MB&B 490 or MB&B 491

Requirements for the B.A. Degree 

10 courses (9.5  credits), including the senior requirement, but not the introductory courses

• 3 biophysics credits to include MB&B 275 or CHEM 332 and PHYS 170 and PHYS 171 or higher
• 3 biochemistry credits to include MB&B 300, MB&B 301, and CHEM 175 or a different 200-level chemistry course
• MB&B 268 (half-credit for Science and Society core requirement) or other course as approved by DUS
• 1 practical skills credit
• 1 MB&B elective 200-level or higher
• MB&B 490 or MB&B 491

concentrations

biochemistry concentration

The concentration in Biochemistry is geared towards students seeking robust training in structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins in the context of life processes. Molecular length scale biochemistry is foundational to the mechanisms by which dynamic networks of molecular machines enable everything from cellular function to whole organism physiology. Failures in these networks are responsible for pathology in plants and animals, agriculture and medicine. MB&B majors interested in working in these fields directly after graduation, or who hope to pursue graduate studies including PhD and MD/PhD, are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration.

In addition to, or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Genetics and Development and Ecology and Evolution: BIOL 103 and 104

Molecular, Cellular, or Organismal Biology: MCDB 205, MCDB 202, or as approved by the DUS

Research in Biochemistry: MB&B 470 or 471 or course-based undergraduate research

Advanced Chemical Biology lecture or seminar (1 credit for B.A. degree and 2 credits for B.S. degree): 300+ courses such as MB&B 365, MB&B 330, MB&B 445, MB&B 449, or MB&B 443

biophysics and structural biology concentration

This concentration is designed for students with strong interests in life processes on the molecular length scale. Majors aspiring to graduate studies in biophysics, molecular medicine, and biotechnology are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration.

Biophysics and Structural Biology are made possible by fundamental quantitative and physical tools such as linear algebra, Fourier analysis, x-ray diffraction, imaging, and optical spectroscopy to measure biomolecular dynamics and atomic resolution structure. Seminar courses applicable to this area focus on the basic biology enabled by exquisitely specific macromolecular interactions, the molecular basis of disease and drug-design.

In addition to, and/or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Computer Science, Math, Statistics (for B.A. degree): one from MATH 120, MATH 225, S&DS 100+, or CPSC 112

Computer Science, Math, Statistics (for B.S. degree): one from MATH 120, MATH 225, S&DS 238, or CPSC 112

Biophysical Chemistry (for B.S. degree): one from CHEM 332 or MB&B 431 or any 300+ elective in thermodynamics, statistical mech, quantum mechanics or spectroscopy

Research in Biophysics and Structural Biology (for both degrees): one from MB&B 470, MB&B 471, CHEM 355L, or course-based undergraduate research

Tools and Quantitative Analysis (for B.S. degree): one 200+ course with emphasis on measurement and/or modeling of energy, kinetics, or structure relevant to the molecular length scale, such as MB&B 330, MB&B 420, MB&B 431, MB&B 435, CHEM 333, CHEM 406, CHEM 492, or as approved by the DUS

Advanced Biophysics and Structural Biology lecture or seminar (both degrees): one from MB&B 420, MB&B 431, MB&B 520, or as approved by the DUS

Chemical Biology concentration

Chemical Biology leverages the tools and concepts of chemistry to understand and/or manipulate biological processes. Students interested in the MB&B concentration in Chemical Biology select electives from organic and inorganic chemistry as well as advanced courses in cell biology. Majors interested in additional studies in chemical biology, drug development, and/or biotechnology after graduation are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration.

In addition to, or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Organic Chemistry (both degrees): second semester of Organic Chemistry and accompanying half-credit lab

Cell Biology and Chemistry (for B.S. degree only): two 200+ electives and one 300+ elective in Chemistry or Cell Biology (at least one credit must cover cell biology or chemistry)

Cell Biology (for B.A. degree only): one 200+ elective in cell-based biology

Research in Chemical Biology (both degrees): one from MB&B 470, MB&B 471, or MB&B 364, or course-based undergraduate research

Advanced Chemical Biology lecture or seminar (both degrees): MB&B 443 or CHEM 419 or as approved by the DUS

Computational Biology & Bioinformatics concentration

This concentration is designed for students with strong interests in computer science, data science, statistics, and biology. Majors aspiring to graduate studies in computational biology, bioinformatics, medical informatics or biotechnology are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration. 

In addition to, and/or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (B.A. degree): BIOL 103 and 104

Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (B.S. degree): one 200+ elective in genetics, MCDB 200, 202, 310, MB&B 330

Computer Science, Math, Statistics (B.A. degree): CPSC 201 and one S&DS 100+ course

Computer Science, Math, Statistics (B.S. degree): CPSC 223, CPSC 201, and S&DS 238 (CPSC 223 may also be used to fulfill the 300+ core biophysics elective requirement). Other courses may be substituted with permission of the DUS.

Advanced Computational Biology & Bioinformatics (both degrees): MB&B 452 or CPSC 453 or as approved by the DUS.

Environment and Climate Change concentration

This concentration is geared towards students seeking robust training in life processes as they affect, and are affected by the environment, human activity, and climate change. MB&B majors interested in working in these fields directly after graduation, or who hope to pursue graduate studies are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration.

In addition to, or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Physical environmental science (for B.S. degree): one credit 300+ course from EVST 362, EPS 310, EPS 323, EPS 335, CHEM 332, or CHEM 333

Environmental chemistry (both degrees): one credit 200+ course from EVST 307, EPS 310, CHEM 252, or ENVE 438. May be used to fulfill 200+ elective requirement in chemistry.

Math, statistics and/or computer science (both degrees): one credit course from MATH 120, MATH 121, MATH 222 or higher, S&DS 100 or higher, or CPSC 100 or higher. May be used to fulfill the practical skills requirement.

Ecology and evolution (both degrees): one credit 100+ course from BIOL 104, E&EB 225, or ANTH 267. May be used to fulfill the 200+ STEM requirement for the B.S. degree.   

Environmental Sciences (both degrees): one credit 100+ course from CENG 120, EVST 223, EVST 265, EPS 101, EPS 125, EPS 140, EPS 232, or EPS 261. May be used to fulfill 200+ STEM requirement for B.S. degree.

Advanced Environment Lecture or Seminar (one credit for B.A. degree/two credits for B.S. degree): one or two credit courses from MB&B 365, ENVE 464, EVST 415, EPS 355, ENVE 441, EPS 323, ENVE 360, ENVE 438. MB&B 365 may be used to fulfill 200+ MB&B requirement for all degrees.

Medicine concentration

This concentration is designed for students with strong interests in the molecular basis of physiology and disease. Majors aspiring to graduate studies in biomedical sciences, work in biotechnology, or medical school are particularly encouraged to fulfill this concentration. 

In addition to, or as part of, the degree requirements, the following courses are required:

Genetics and Development: BIOL 103 and 104

Organic Chemistry: second term of organic chemistry (CHEM 175 or 221)

Statistics: Any introductory S&DS 100+ course, S&DS 150, S&DS 230 recommended

Psychology: PSYC 110 or higher or PSYC 312

Physics labs (1 credit): MB&B 121L, MB&B 124L, PHYS 165L, 166L, MB&B 364, or others as approved by the DUS (see below) are encouraged.

Biomedical research (total for 1 credit): MB&B 470 or MB&B 471, or course based undergraduate research including MB&B 251L, MCDB 291L, or others 

Advanced Seminar: one from MB&B 445, MB&B 452, MB&B 449, MCDB 315, MCDB 450, or others as approved by the DUS

The Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (MB&B) is for students interested not just in what life is, but also in how it works. MB&B invites interested students to join the department and share in its fascination with biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, structural biology, computation, spectroscopy, macromolecular engineering, imaging and the molecular basis of disease. For example biochemistry was used to determine the building blocks of DNA and that DNA carries genetic information; biophysics was used to determine the atomic structures and chemical mechanisms by which two meters of this information, encoding six billion letters, is compressed one-million fold, stored and read inside every cell of the body. 

The major offers B.A., B.S., and B.S./M.S. degrees to directly engage students’ specific interests.

To maximize elective opportunities both within the major and for other aspects of a liberal arts education, first years interested in the MB&B major should start by taking the most advanced chemistry courses for which they are eligible. Most MB&B students take General Chemistry, CHEM 161 and CHEM 165, with the associated labs in their first year. Others, who place into Organic Chemistry, take CHEM 174 and the associated lab in their first year. It is also helpful to take BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 in the first year. Completing the above courses in the first year position students to enroll in the Fall of their sophomore year in MB&B 275, a course taken only by prospective MB&B majors, that serves as a welcome into our program.

First-year students are encouraged to visit the MB&B web page for undergraduates, and to contact the director of undergraduate studies (MBBUndergrad@yale.edu) if they have any questions. 

FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS AND BIOCHEMISTRY

Professors †Karen Anderson, Susan Baserga, †Ronald Breaker, †Gary Brudvig, †Sandy Chang, Enrique De La Cruz, †Daniel DiMaio, Donald Engelman, Mark Gerstein, Wendy Gilbert, Nigel Grindley (Emeritus), † Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, Mark Hochstrasser, Jonathon Howard, Michael Koelle, Anthony Koleske, William Konigsberg (Emeritus), †Mark Lemmon, †Patrick Loria, †I. George Miller, Andrew Miranker, †Peter Moore (Emeritus), Karla Neugebauer, Lynne Regan (Emeritus), †Karen Reinisch, †David Schatz, Christian Schlieker, Robert Schulman (Emeritus), †Frederick Sigworth, Dieter Söll (Emeritus), Mark Solomon, Joan Steitz, Scott Strobel, Steven Tang, Yong Xiong

Associate Professors Julien Berro, †Titus Boggon, †Erdem Karatekin, Nikhil Malvankar, Matthew Simon, †Sarah Slavoff, †Shervin Takyar, †Yongli Zhang

Assistant Professors Franziska Bleichert, Allison Didychuk, †Luisa Escobar-Hoyos, Benjamin Goldman-Israelow, Lilian Kabeche, David Martinez, †Wei Mi, Candice Paulsen, Hualiang Pi, Kai Zhang

Adjunct Professors  Kenneth Williams, Carl Zimmer 

Lecturer Kate Schilling

†A joint appointment with primary affiliation in another department.

See visual roadmap of the requirements. 

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