About the Program
The Biochemistry Major provides students with an integrated education in Biochemistry that connects a fundamental understanding of biochemical concepts with their application to biological systems. Students can apply their basic understanding of biochemistry to a specific area of interest, ranging from toxicology /pharmacology, to food and nutritional sciences, microbiology, animal science, and plant biology by selecting a specific track, or take the General option for a broader overview. This redesigned and enhanced curriculum follows the recommendations of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and has components of both a traditional course-centered approach to teaching and the more current content- and outcome-centered approach. The purpose of the major is to prepare students for futures in science, including advanced degree programs in healthcare, pharmacy, or research and as well as the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and chemical industries, government service, communications, law and many other fields.
Program Learning Goals
- Biochemistry graduates will be able to describe and discuss the basic concepts of biochemistry, including metabolism, enzymatic structure and function, and regulation of gene and protein expression.
- Biochemistry Major graduates will be able to apply the scientific method, stating and testing a hypothesis, and will be able to design experiments to solve problems in biochemistry.
- Graduates will gain hands-on experience in current biochemical techniques, and be able to evaluate and present scientific data.
- Upon completion, students will able to critically analyze scientific data and scientific papers, and be able to be effective science communicators
- Graduates will be able to discuss and communicate a fundamental understanding of ethical and current issues in biochemistry and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics in scientific research.