Why is biochemistry a good major

Students in both majors become tight-knit groups built through common interests and experiences. The chemistry and biochemistry degree programs are challenging programs of study that parallel your expectations for a Notre Dame education, yet our majors find ample time to participate in a variety of university activities. These include club and team sports, marching and concert band, service, and dorm activities just to name a few. Our students will attest that these extracurricular activities provide a break from your studies and allow you to fully experience college life at the University of Notre Dame.

If you are considering a major in chemsitry or biochemistry and have questions, please feel free to contact Dr. DeeAnne Goodenough-Lashua undergraduate advisor or Prof. Jon Camden Director of Undergraduate Studies.

A Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry or biochemistry provides you with a foundation that can take you anywhere you want to go. Some of the many career paths our students have chosen include: medicine, research, pharmaceuticals, law and nursing. Each year we also have a number of students who choose to go into teaching, service or directly into the workforce in a science related field. As a result, our majors experience a high acceptance rate into these professional programs.

Each year we have a number of students who choose to study abroad. When and where you choose to go will depend on a number of factors including language requirements, whether you want to take science classes abroad or not, and your plans for post-graduation.

The second half of the junior year and the senior year in both programs are relatively light. Therefore, there is plenty of time to fit in the courses for your other program s of study. I started off in a different major. If I switch to chemistry or biochemistry, will I still be able to graduate on time? Switching from another College of Science major during the first four semesters is usually easy.

During this period, all science students are taking the fundamental science courses. Even if you have taken a different course number, or taken a course out of sequence from our majors, there is a good chance we can still count those credits. Most students can still easily graduate on time if they make the switch prior to the beginning of their junior year. You cannot use your Chemistry AP credits. After that, it depends on a number of factors.

The purpose of this major is to train a competent professional for the design, implementation, clinical analysis, and other specifications related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human diseases. Carry out the design and interpretation of toxicological, bromatological, forensic, and legal chemistry, or molecular biology examinations.

Technically direct the laboratories that operate biological material, to act in the regulations and in the preparation of standardization guidelines for reagents, raw materials and homologation of methods used in carrying out the analyzes; contribute to scientific knowledge efficiently and ethically. Clinical biochemists play an essential role in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. Although not in all areas, most of your knowledge as a Biochemist will serve you anywhere in the world where you want to reside.

Be curious and have a restless mind. Have skills for logical thinking. Have a thorough, patient, and methodical approach to work. Have good organizational skills to plan and carry out experiments. Have practical laboratory skills. Have observation skills, precision, and attention to detail.

Have skills in mathematics, statistics, and computers. Have the ability to present the results clearly and concisely, including the writing of reports. Have skills for teamwork. Studying biochemistry requires a lot of study time. Biochemistry is not as difficult as it sounds, if you are passionate about it it will become an extremely amazing course.

So, are you going to study a biochemistry major? Bratcher, E. What can you do with a biochemistry degree — College Learners. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is biochemistry a good major? What does the Biochemistry Major consist of?

As a graduate of the Biochemistry Major, you will have acquired the ability to: Design and carry out clinical analyzes and other specifications related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human disease. Carry out the design and interpretation of toxicological, bromatological, forensic, and legal chemistry, or molecular biology tests.

To technically direct the laboratories that operate biological material, to act in the regulations and in the preparation of standardization guidelines for reagents, raw materials, and homologation of methods used to carry out the analyzes.

Contribute to scientific knowledge efficiently and ethically. Profile of the student of the Biochemistry Major The student of the Biochemistry Career is a professional trained to fulfill preventive, care, educational, research, and development functions in both public and private institutions. Students of the Major in Biochemistry will be trained to: Cover current and future professional needs.

Actively participate in the production process. Make improvements to the treatment of agricultural products and animal husbandry. Where does a biochemist work? If successful, there is opportunity to become a self-employed consultant.

Advancement in the private sector largely depends upon successful publication in journals as well as becoming established as an expert in a sub-specialty. This can be in biochemistry or in a closely related discipline like biology or bioengineering. Some students complete their general education requirements at a 2-year college, and then transfer to a larger college to take their biochemistry core courses.

When choosing an undergraduate biochemistry program, look for one that will allow you to get some hands-on laboratory and research experience.

If you plan to go on to graduate school, ask where recent alumni have been accepted. Typical areas of study include:. A sequence of courses that introduces the chemical properties and behavior of proteins, nucleic acids, fats, and carbohydrates. A class sequence focused on the properties of matter related to heat, electromagnetism, mechanics, and atomic structure. This will help you land jobs after graduation and will also strengthen your graduate school application.

You can also find research opportunities in industry, the government, and university laboratories. The American Chemical Society maintains a list of summer research programs and internships on its website. Some things to look for when evaluating a program include:. However, some programs accept candidates with business or law degrees.

Survey the process of developing, producing, and marketing biochemical products and processes, including pharmaceuticals. Understand how complex biological systems like genomic and protein sequences can be analyzed, mapped, and compared. Many academic biochemists begin their careers as postdoctoral fellows working alongside mentor scientists at research universities.

PhD programs in biochemistry are generally found at large research universities or within medical schools. Doctoral candidates in biochemistry usually take some coursework early in the program. Examples of doctoral level biochemistry courses include:. Gain an understanding of the interactions between proteins and nucleic acid, plus techniques for studying these reactions.

One of the most important milestones of the program is choosing a mentor to supervise your research project. At some schools, you must also publish your research in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, PhD candidates participate in journal clubs, seminars, and professional conferences. Because research in biochemistry relies on computers and medical technologies, an extensive understanding of computer science and software is very helpful, but not necessary.

Often these are skills that are attained during the job training. Attention to detail, the ability to work with a team and good communication skills are all important qualities for a biochemist to be able to thrive and succeed in a lab environment. Biochemists analyze the chemical characteristics and processes that are involved with living organisms. In this profession, you may work for governments, universities or private industries.

Your day-to-day activities as a biochemists will often include working in teams conducting basic and applied research. Schools offer concentrations in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and biology. Biochemistry majors may take course topics that include organic chemistry, genetics and cells.

In addition to having a strong science background, students need to develop skills in computer science, engineering and math. Curricula usually require graduate students to conduct individual research. Students then use this research to develop their thesis, which many schools require for graduation. Graduate students can find Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry programs. All doctoral candidates must complete a dissertation based on their original research. They may also take advanced courses that discuss metabolism, molecular biology and cell biology.

PhD holders commonly begin their careers with postdoctoral research positions lasting years. Some biochemists may choose to specialize in a specific niche of their discipline.

Alternatively, the advanced education required makes biochemists strong candidates for managerial or upper-tier administrative roles at their respective universities or companies. Is Biochemistry A Good Career. Biochemists may study microscopic organisms in or out of the lab. What jobs can you do with a biochemistry degree with Salary.