Biochem Declared Honors Only

In the spring of 1956, the Faculty voted to convert the Biochemical Sciences concentration into an honors-only concentration, sparking extensive discussion among professors and students.

The changes in the biochemical sciences fifty years ago in some ways mirror the changes that the concentration is undergoing today.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

The Thimann Plan, named after Professor of Biology Kenneth V. Thimann who chaired the committee that reviewed the concentration, would take effect for the Class of 1959.

Ninety percent of the Biochemical Sciences concentration was comprised of premeds, only around half of whom qualified for the honors track. As a result, according to a 1956 Crimson staff editorial, the change would mainly affect premedical students because it would “narrow the premeds’ choice of field considerably.”

But according to a 1956 Crimson article, professors in the biology and chemistry departments believed that making the Biochemical Sciences concentration honors only would promote a more profound understanding of the subjects.

Fifty years ago, the non-honors track in Biochemical Sciences included six full courses, whereas the honors concentration track required an additional load of three advanced half courses, a thesis, and examinations at the end of senior year.

Non-honors concentrators didn’t delve into the advanced levels of this field since their coursework was very introductory in nature, Thimann told The Crimson in 1956. They did “not get anywhere near the frontiers of knowledge,” he said.

Faculty, too, felt that this was contrary to the goals of a liberal arts education—in-depth knowledge of an academic subject.

But the honors work was much more worthwhile, Thimann said at the time.

Once the plan was in effect, students wishing to concentrate in Biochemical Sciences would have to go for the honors track or instead concentrate in either Biology or Chemistry.

The plan elicited disagreement across campus, with the Faculty divided over the change. Thimann and Associate Professor of Chemistry Leonard K. Nash ’39 strongly supported the proposal, and Master of Leverett House and Professor of Zoology Leigh Hoadley was against it.

The Biochemical Sciences concentration was popular among premeds since it allowed them to satisfy basic premed requirements in biology, chemistry, and physics while giving them the most flexibility in choosing electives.

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO SCIENCE

As the 2005-2006 academic year came to a close, the Faculty Council voted to revamp the life science concentrations, adding five new concentrations and removing two of the older ones.

This move splits the existing Biochemical Sciences and Biology concentrations into four new concentrations—Chemical and Physical Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Neurobiology, and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology.

The Biological Anthropology track in the Anthropology department will remain as it is, but a new concentration in Human Evolutionary Biology has also been created.

Additionally, a Social and Cognitive Neuroscience track has been created in the Psychology department.

While some premed students say that this now increases their concentration options, others argue that these changes may limit their field of study too much.

—Staff writer Aditi Banga can be reached at abanga@fas.harvard.edu.