BIOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM

Michael Greeley, PhD Interim Dean

THE BIOCHEMISTRY JOINT MAJOR

The discipline of biochemistry unites biological processes and chemical mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Biochemistry is the foundation for understanding these events, which define life. This foundation imparts base knowledge that allows cultivation of an insightful perspective and an inquisitive intellect to empower an individual to explore new frontiers and originate innovative techniques. The biochemistry joint major provides an integrated and rigorous curriculum to those students who wish to concentrate their studies on the interface between biology and chemistry. This major amalgamates and integrates biochemistry expertise from the Biology Department and Chemistry Department faculty, to present students with a comprehensive program of study in biochemistry that coalesces the information into a congruous perspective of biological processes and chemical mechanisms in the cell and organism. This innovative pedagogy crosses traditional academic boundaries in order to respond to the needs of our students and community. A coherent course of study is formed by integrating courses of the biology and chemistry programs with a nucleus of biochemistry courses, to form the biochemistry joint major. The required biology courses provide the biological basis of biochemical events, and the required chemistry courses provide the chemical basis of biochemical events. The knowledge from the biology and chemistry courses is blended with new knowledge from the biochemistry courses to convey a unique integrative perspective to the student that focuses on how biological processes, chemical mechanisms, and biochemical events affect the whole organism. The biochemistry joint major develops integrative biochemists: that is, biochemists who understand the interaction between metabolic pathways in the whole organism (rather than focusing on pathways as individual elements), and who also comprehend the chemical principles underlying the molecular mechanisms regulating these pathways and their interactions. The biochemistry joint major curriculum follows the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) guidelines. ASBMB guidelines signify that the student has completed a rigorous course of study that emphasizes critical thinking and a proficiency in the discipline of biochemistry, including an emphasis on laboratory techniques. Participants in the biochemistry joint major, therefore, receive an education in theory and laboratory skills that enhances their success in post-baccalaureate programs, allows them to be more competitive in the job market, and also provides the state with a valuable asset for their biotechnology resources.