The Biochemistry Program is a joint program between the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Division of Biological Sciences. Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that brings powerful spectroscopic, chemical and computational tools to bear on fundamental problems in biology. The program offers a B.S. in Biochemistry, a minor in Biochemistry, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry & Biophysics.<br><br>Program faculty members come from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, the Division of Biological Sciences, the Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Computer Science. Faculty expertise includes structural biology, bioinformatics, enzymology, protein dynamics, RNA biology and the molecular genetics of pathogenic organisms.<br><br>Undergraduate majors receive a solid foundation in both chemistry and biology. Biochemistry courses are usually taken in the junior year allowing majors to become involved in research with faculty and to take electives in their senior year. The major also introduces students to computer science, an essential tool in modern biochemistry. The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for advanced degrees in biochemistry or biophysics, for medical, dental or veterinary schools and for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. A Health Professions option is also offered within the B.S. in Biochemistry for students whose career goals are in fields related to biochemistry, particularly medical school. This option is designed so that students can complete all coursework necessary for the MCAT and other exams required for health-related professional schools by the end of their third year. The program also offers a B.S. in Computational Biochemistry. This degree incorporates both foundational and advanced level courses in chemistry, biology, computer science and biochemistry to prepare students who plan to pursue careers in computationally intensive fields including bioinformatics, molecular modeling, and structure-based design. Students desiring a basic grounding in biochemistry to complement their primary major can choose to pursue a minor in Biochemistry. All students completing a major or minor in Biochemistry are eligible to take the ASBMB certification exam in their junior or senior year.