Biochemistry
What is Biochemistry?
LMU's Biochemistry major helps students examine the functions and intricate interactions of the molecules that give rise to the phenomenon of life. This prepares students for careers in the fields of biochemistry and chemical biology.
Biochemistry majors do hands-on work using current techniques of modern chemical and bioengineering instrumentation. LMU's Organic Research, Instrumentation, and Physical Chemistry laboratories feature tools such as a 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, an ultrasensitive differential scanning calorimeter, an ultracentrifuge, and a thermocycler.
What do Biochemistry majors do?
Biochemistry majors follow the curriculum recommended by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The curriculum begins with pre-major courses in calculus, physics, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.
Majors then explore significant areas of modern biochemistry, such as the physical, analytical, biotechnological and instrumental aspects. As early as their sophomore years, students with the aptitude and interest engage in collaborative research with faculty members. Junior and senior students have opportunities to report on their own research and attend departmental seminars, at which they hear talks by visiting scientists.
Is this major right for you?
You might be a Biochemistry major if you:
- Seek a career in science
- Enjoy research
- Enjoy experimentation
- Like working with high-tech equipment
- Are interested in life at its molecular level
About our faculty
Our faculty members are experts in fields such as the roles of metal ions in biology, protein structure, p-Block clusters, inorganic reagents in organic synthesis and asymmetric synthesis, dietary iron overload, development of new synthetic methods in organic chemistry, pedagogical research to improve science education, and the use of laser techniques and chemical traps to elucidate mechanisms of formation. Faculty members have worked as corporate research chemists, done research for think tanks such as the RAND Corporation, made presentations across the country and internationally, and written scores of articles for books and academic journals such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education andJournal of Peptide Science.
About our students and graduates
LMU students majoring or minoring in Chemistry are prepared for immediate employment or graduate study. During a recent 10-year period, nearly 75 percent of our graduates went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as degrees in medicine, dentistry and other health care fields.
Our graduates also work as teachers, researchers, inventors, writers, industrial laboratory managers, and forensic analysts. Graduates work in the pharmaceutical industry, for financial institutions, in patent law, and in other professions in which the discipline and breadth of biochemistry serves as a strong and useful foundation.
Representative courses
Our offered courses have included:
- Biochemistry I & II
- Biochemistry Lab
- World of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Introduction to Chemistry / Biochemistry Research
- Instrumental Analysis
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Biochemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Food Chemistry
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- Cell Biology
- The Science in Science Fiction
- Forensic Chemistry
- Chemistry Teaching
- Independent Studies