The biochemistry curriculum is designed to prepare students for graduate studies, professional school, or a career in industry. The program emphasizes development of analytical thinking skills, cooperative problem solving, and independent investigation of chemical principles applied to biological systems.
The biochemistry, pre-professional track prepares students for the successful completion of entrance examinations and engagement in concepts covered in core didactic courses in Medical, Dental, Veterinary, or Pharmacy schools.
Career Opportunities
Biochemistry
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Industrial Chemist
- Surgical Technician
- Healthcare Scientist, Clinical Biochemistry
- Clinical Research Associate
- Forensic Scientist (Life Science)
- Toxicologist
- Pharmacist
Biochemistry, Pre-professional Emphasis
- Cardiovascular Technician
- Anesthesia Technical
- Analytic Chemist
- Biomedical Scientist
- Forensic Scientist
- Microbiologist
- Pharmacologist
- Medical Doctor
- Veterinarian
- Pharmacist
- Optometrist
- Dentist
What to Expect
Hub/Support/Tutoring
- Tutoring sessions available Monday-Thursday for a variety of courses.
Travel/Global Trips
- Australia Biology
- Guatemala or Honduras Medical Mission
- Iceland
- Costa Rice
Club/Social
- Women’s Ruby
- Cycling Club
- Rock Climbing
- Creation Care
- Krav Maga, Self Defense practice
Awards/Honors
- Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society
- Beta Beta Beta - Biological Science National Honor Society
- Alpha Epsilon Delta – National Medical Honor Society
- Hicks Scholars Program
- Tucker Foundation Endow Scholarship
Service
- Host a regional Science Olympiad for Middle and High School students
- Educate the community on health needs such as obesity, nutrition, mental health, etc.
- Sponsor science major’s Science Nights at local elementary schools, sponsored by Lee faculty
Research
- Opportunities to work in the field of biochemistry on intrinsic fluorescent tags in proteins
- Opportunities to investigate kinetics and thermodynamics important for environmental chemistry
- Use of laboratory instruments (liquid and gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, ultraviolet/visible and infrared spectroscopy) to develop general laboratory skills
- Research focused on the conservation and recovery of eastern hellbenders (giant salamanders) and endangered Conasauga Blue crayfish
- Student-driven projects assessing the ability of free fatty acids (FFA's) to increase bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics
- Opportunities to engage in research projects focusing on ecology or animal behavior
- Research that uses human cell culture models to study cellular and molecular mechanisms of human disease. Current projects focus on oncogene function in human cancers.
- Research investigating the effects of sleep on levels of depression within science students
Home/Location
Natural Science students spend most of their time in the study areas afforded in the SMC. The great room has Dunkin Donuts and is a great space for study groups. Upper-division students are provided with card key access to laboratory facilities for research and upper-division laboratory engagement.
iMass
iMASS (Integrated Math and Science Scholars) Scholars Program sponsored by the NSF (National Science Foundation). This program is intended to develop a community of mathematics and science scholars, provide them with meaningful research and/or internship opportunities, and give them the financial support necessary for them to succeed. iMASS seeks to build research teams that include both mathematics and science majors. Mathematics scholars will be able to apply their knowledge to meaningful real-world scientific research, and science scholars will have the benefit of added mathematical rigor in support of their conclusions.