Molecular Life Sciences Program
Minor in Molecular Life Sciences
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 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 NMcourseSpring 2025CASE NMcourseFall 2024CASE NMcourse
- Advanced Electives.
- 400–499 Electives. One (1) course:
- 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 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 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 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.
- Additional Electives. Two (2) courses:
- Additional courses from the 400-499 Electives list
- MLS-M 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
- BIOL-L 311 Genetics
- BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
- BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
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.
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.
- 400–499 Electives. One (1) course:
- Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor GPA. 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.
- Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
- Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Minor Residency. 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.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Science in Molecular Life Sciences (MLSBS)
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.