Undergraduate Students
The Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology offers
majors in biochemistry or biophysics in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences and a major in agricultural biochemistry in the College
of Agriculture.
Biochemists and biophysicists seek to understand life processes in terms
of chemical and physical principles. They conduct research in the frontiers
of biology such as metabolic networking; structure and function of enzymes,
membranes, and hormones; computational approaches; genomic and proteomic
technology; protein engineering; plant biotechnology; muscle structure
and function; and the design and evaluation of drugs for the treatment
of disease. Biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology provide the
basis for much of modern biotechnology. Graduates have opportunities
in industry, especially the biotechnology sector, in universities, veterinary
medical, and medical schools, and government laboratories. Students
who meet the necessary high scholastic standards have the opportunity
to continue their studies in graduate school, medical school, or veterinary
medical school.
Graduates of biochemistry, agricultural biochemistry and biophysics
understand the chemical principles of biological systems including molecular
biology. They have developed laboratory expertise in modern biochemical
techniques, including the ability to analyze data and prepare scientific
reports. Most have participated in undergraduate research and have developed
the skills necessary for both written and oral presentations at a level
that will serve the student both within the university and in postgraduate
professional life. Graduates have the experience of interacting with
persons of different disciplines and cultures. Students have the training
in mathematics and physics to solve problems of broad scope in biological,
biomedical and environmental sciences and to provide leadership in diverse
scientific and technological arenas.
