Minor in Molecular Life Sciences

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements MLSMIN

Requirements

The minor requires at least 18 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Biological Mechanisms. One (1) course:
- BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
- BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Credit by examination for demonstrating an understanding of basic facts and concepts of the lecture content of BIOL-L 112.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of the following: BIOL-E 112, BIOL-L 100, BIOL-L 104, BIOL-L 112, or BIOL-Q 201.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
Credits
4
Prerequisites
None
Notes
R: Previous or concurrent enrollment in CHEM-C 117, CHEM-J 117, CHEM-H 117, or CHEM-S 117
Description
Integrated picture of manner in which organisms at diverse levels of organization meet problems in maintaining and propagating life.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-E 112, BIOL-H 111, BIOL-L 100, BIOL-L 104, BIOL-L 112, BIOL-Q 201.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry. One (1) course:
- CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
- CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
- CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
Credits
3
Prerequisites
(CHEM-C 101 and CHEM-C 121) or CHEM-C 103 or (chemistry placement examinations and consent of the department)
Description
Lecture course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry, basic mathematical and conceptual principles in atomic structure and periodic properties, molecular structure, chemical bonding, energy (thermochemistry), kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of the following: CHEM-C 105, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors

Credits
3
Prerequisites
Chemistry placement examination; and consent of department
Description
An honors course for students with unusual aptitude or preparation. Covers basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry, basic mathematical and conceptual principles in atomic structure and periodic properties, molecular structure, chemical bonding, energy (thermochemistry), kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 105, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-J 117, CHEM-S 117, or CHEM-H 117.

CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors

Credits
3
Prerequisites
Chemistry placement examination; and consent of the department
Description
A course for well-prepared science majors. Lecture course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 105, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117
Molecular Biology. One (1) course:
- BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
- BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-H 111 or BIOL-L 112; and CHEM-C 105, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117
Description
Covers structure and function of DNA and RNA; DNA replication, mechanisms of mutation, repair, recombination, and transposition; mechanisms and regulation of gene expression; and the genetic code, transcription, and translation. Introduces bacteriophages, plasmids, and the technology of recombinant DNA.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
Credits
5
Prerequisites
BIOL-H 111 or BIOL-L 112; and CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117
Notes
R: CHEM-C 341 concurrent
Description
Covers structure and function of DNA and RNA; DNA replication, mechanisms of mutation, repair, recombination, and transposition; mechanisms and regulation of gene expression; and the genetic code, transcription, and translation. Introduces bacteriophages, plasmids, and the technology of recombinant DNA. Course will be taught at an honors level.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-S 211 or BIOL-L 211.
- Summer 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2025CASE NMcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
Advanced Electives. Three (3) courses:
- MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
- MLS-M 410 Protein Metabolism
- MLS-M 420 Genome Duplication and Maintenance
- MLS-M 430 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease
- MLS-M 440 Membranes and Signal Transduction
- MLS-M 450 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer
- BIOL-L 311 Genetics
- BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
- BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
- BIOL-L 417
- BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research
- BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology
- BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease
MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211; or consent of instructor
Description
Bioinformatics covers a wide spectrum of data management, processing and analysis associated with high throughput biological data. Course considers the generation and analysis of biomolecular sequence data describing DNA and proteins that underpin modern biology, including fields such as genetics, evolution and structural biology.
Repeatability
Credit given for one of BIOL-L 388 or MLS-M 388.

MLS-M 410 Protein Metabolism

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Focuses on the mechanisms and enzymes that synthesize, fold, traffic and degrade proteins. Provides a molecular and structural view of key processes such as translation, folding, membrane insertion, vesicular trafficking, post-translational modification and protein degradation. Emphasizes broader principles such as NTP switches as regulators and macromolecular interaction events; explains how cellular architecture underpins function. Describes structural and mechanistic features of protein metabolism in a cellular context.

MLS-M 420 Genome Duplication and Maintenance

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Examines genomic structure, DNA topology and replication mechanisms in the context of cell function for all three domains of life. Studies the pathological consequences of failure to duplicate and maintain the genome.

MLS-M 430 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Considers mechanistic, structural and regulatory aspects of the process by which information coded in DNA is transcribed into messenger and structural RNAs. Investigates the role of post-translational modification on nucleosome tails and on the RNA polymerase itself to regulate the timing and extent of transcription. Examines how regulatory marks are written and interpreted.

MLS-M 440 Membranes and Signal Transduction

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Provides a detailed introduction to membrane physiology from a structural and mechanistic perspective. Considers membranes and membrane-embedded proteins that serve as barriers and gatekeepers to regulate material flow in and out of cells and organelles, act as a capacitor to support chemical energy synthesis, and support signal transduction to respond to environmental cues.

MLS-M 450 Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Focuses on the molecular basis of genome instability, including factors that lead to tumorigenesis and tumor suppression. Studies the action mechanisms and disease relevance of key enzymes, along with available and emerging treatments for cancer.

BIOL-L 311 Genetics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Analysis of the mechanisms of inheritance, including developmental processes that lead to the construction of whole organisms and to the transmission to their offspring of specific genetic traits. Includes the principles of genetics and the analysis of mutations affecting development.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311.

BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Current views of the structure and function of cellular organelles and components, with emphasis on the flow of information through the cell, the metabolism that supports cellular functions, and differences among different specialized cells. Current techniques will be stressed.
Repeatability
Credit given for only one of BIOL-L 312 or BIOL-L 330.

BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
Description
Computer science and informatics applications to biology have yielded "bioinformatics," a field of study that covers a wide spectrum of data management and processing associated with large-scale, high-throughput biological data generation. This course surveys topics in the generation and analysis of biomolecular sequence data (DNA and protein) that underpin much of modern biology: genetics, ecology, evolution, population and structural biology.

BIOL-L 485 Genetics, Models of Human Disease, and Critical Analysis of Biological Research

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 311 or BIOL-S 311
Description
Explores the development of genetic manipulations and techniques (e.g. epistasis to CRISPR/Cas9) to address fundamental questions of life. Students will critically read and discuss primary literature.

BIOL-L 486 Advanced Cell Biology

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 312
Description
Critical analysis of recent advances in the understanding of molecular organization and function of cellular structures, with emphasis on eukaryotic cells. Topics include membrane organization, cytoskeleton assembly and functions, signal transduction, cell-cycle regulation, protein sorting, and vesicle trafficking.

BIOL-L 487 Molecular Mechanism of Development and Disease

Credits
3
Prerequisites
BIOL-L 417
Description
Evaluation of classical and current molecular and genetic approaches to studying the development of eukaryotic organisms. Reading and discussion of molecular genetic studies of model systems that illuminate the processes underlying human development and, when disrupted, human disease.
Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
2. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
5. Exceptions to minor requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.