Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Using Science to Solve Problems
A degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is interdisciplinary. Key to our approach is getting students to integrate chemical and biological perspectives in the classroom and laboratories. By developing and fine-tuning critical thinking skills through intentional course work (both in the classroom and especially in the laboratory), our Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors develop hands-on laboratory skills sought after by both employers and graduate programs.
Students looking to pursue pre-medical, and other health professional program studies, have found that studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Etown College has provided them with the education, practical experience, and critical thinking skills necessary to enter into top medical schools like the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Wake Forest, and the University of Pennsylvania.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology?
As one of the top colleges in the northeast, we integrate cross-curricular courses to ensure our graduates understand, and can practice, their area of study in the context of the world around them. We understand that students studying biochemistry and molecular biology have a variety of professional/career interests once they leave us. Some may elect to go directly into the workforce, while others will formally extend their education by pursuing studies in graduate school, medical or dental school, optometry school, or physician assistant programs. Our graduates have found careers in all the major sectors including academic, medical, industrial, and government. Regardless of their intended career path, our majors are prepared to make a difference in the world around them once they graduate! Recent graduates from our program have gone on to careers at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Sommer Consulting, Michigan and Pennsylvania State Police Laboratories, Steelton-Highspire School District, and Juniata College.
Recent students have pursued graduate studies at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, the University of Michigan, Emory University, the University of Florida, the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, Temple University, the University of Delaware, and Binghamton University.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Hands-On Excellence
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is geared towards getting you into chemistry and biology labs early and often. By the time you begin your first biochemistry lab in your junior year you will have completed laboratory experiences in general chemistry and general biology, organic chemistry, chemical instrumentation, and genetics, to name a few. Through these multi-disciplined lab experiences, you gain confidence and mastery in a variety of relevant laboratory techniques, instrumental methods, and data analysis.
Cultivating Professionalism & Communication
Regardless of what path you intend to follow once you graduate, we recognize that first and foremost you will be a professional citizen of the department. As such, we are intentional in developing a strong sense of professionalism, especially in the areas of ethics, scientific writing, and oral communication. Our students routinely present the results of their independent research at professional meetings ranging from the local through national levels.
Global Learning Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to complete off-campus study programs, including international summer research! You can spend a semester at programs such as the University of Otago in New Zealand, recently named in the top 200 universities in the world. While studying abroad, you will have the opportunity to complete relevant, international, field work and practicums that will give you real-world experience, making you competitive in a global market.
Biochemistry Minor
Students majoring in another discipline are able to add a minor in Biochemistry to their studies. Whether you're majoring in another STEM field or not, our minor is very flexible and compliments many different areas of study.