Biochemistry

Students who study biochemistry are curious about living things, the details of their makeup and their chemical relationships to their environments. They examine with the function and structure of cellular components like carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acid among other biomolecules. The major combines principles of biology, chemistry, genetics, physics and mathematics. Students spend lots of time in the classroom – usually hours – gaining hands-on experience under the guidance of their professors. At many colleges, students can participate in faculty research programs for additional participation. Courses within the biochemistry major usually include cell biology, cell architecture, organic chemistry, advanced calculus and physics.

Graduates in biochemistry find employment in the health, research and education fields; more specifically with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agricultural-industrial companies, crime labs, hospitals, cosmetic manufacturers and government agencies. Often, students are required to further their education in order to attain the most desirable careers, so new graduates choose to pursue master’s degrees or enroll in medical school. In the coming years, biological scientists in general will be highly in demand because of the expansion of research and biotechnology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21 percent growth is expected through 2018. Lucrative pay is an end reward for biochemists: their average median yearly salary is $82,840.