Why study Biochemistry at MC?

The curriculum in Biochemistry affords the student sound training in the principles and techniques of modern biochemical theory and experimentation. The program integrates laboratory, theoretical, and research skills to provide the range of abilities needed by the practicing biochemist. Opportunity for research through the Oak Ridge Associated Universities and National Laboratories such as Argonne, Brookhaven, Jefferson, Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge complement the curriculum.

The Major in Biochemistry provides a comprehensive curriculum for students planning careers in which biochemical knowledge plays a central role. With careful elective choice students may pursue careers as professional biochemists and enter graduate school programs that lead to a variety of research-oriented careers, or they may enter medical school or other health-related programs. In addition, students interested in teaching at the middle- or high-school level can continue their studies at MC after graduation and earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Secondary STEM degree in only one year.

Photo of Colby Huffman

Colby Huffman

Hometown: Sevierville, Tennessee

When he’s not on the field playing soccer for the Maryville College Scots, William “Colby” Huffman keeps busy in the lab. He’s active in the Scots Science Scholars Program, the American Chemical Society (ACS) and Tri-Beta (BBB). In addition, he serves as a lab assistant in the Biochemistry program, a Scots Science Scholars peer mentor and as an ambassador for the MC Admissions team.

“I have a passion for helping as many people as possible, which has led me to my desire to become a doctor,” he said. “While at Maryville College, all the professors have pushed, motivated and encouraged me to pursue my big dreams. Through the challenging courses, I discovered a strong interest in chemistry and biology, which led me to declare my major in Biochemistry. I plan to use my incredible experiences like working in Dr. (Angelia) Gibson’s biochemistry lab to help me apply for Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), apply for M.D. and Ph.D. programs, and become a surgeon one day.” 

 

Photo of Julie Warrick

Julia Warrick ’21

Currently: Ph.D. student (Biomedical Sciences) at The Ohio State University

As an MC student, Julia was a Scots Science Scholar and worked as a tutor in the STEM Success Center. She also served as a lab assistant and as a supplemental instruction leader for biochemistry and molecular biology courses.

“MC prepared me for graduate school with in-depth classes and labs that taught many of the scientific concepts and lab techniques that I have needed to know so far in grad school,” she said. “I think my Senior Study prepared me the most for graduate school because it allowed me to learn different lab techniques and it gave me the independence to learn how to design my own experiments, how to manage my time to meet deadlines, and how to adequately write about and present my work.”

 

Angelia Gibson
Dr. Angelia Gibson
Professor of Chemistry
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Mary Turner
Dr. Mary Turner
Professor of Chemistry; Chair of the MC Core Curriculum
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Nathan Duncan
Dr. Nathan Duncan
Associate Professor of Chemistry
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Duke University School of Medicine

Clemson University

East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy and Quillen College of Medicine

Johns Hopkins University

Medical University of South Carolina

Northwestern University

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

University of Houston College of Optometry

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Tennessee: Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic terminology, concepts and graphical/quantitative analysis in biochemistry
  • Summarize and interpret the primary biochemical literature
  • Acquire and apply a set of basic laboratory data-acquisition, analysis, and presentation skills
  • Formulate scientifically significant questions and work toward their resolution using traditional biochemical laboratory and/or computational methodologies
  • Design and execute an in-depth research project, and successfully communicate the results verbal and written forms

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biochemistry consists of 55 hours in biology, chemistry, and related courses and provides an interdisciplinary curriculum for students planning careers expected to have significant biochemical emphases. With careful elective choice students may pursue careers as professional chemists, enter graduate school programs that lead to a variety of research-oriented careers, or they may enter medical school or other health-related programs.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

CHM 121: General Chemistry I(4 hrs)
CHM 122: General Chemistry II(4 hrs)
CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I(4 hrs)
CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II(4 hrs)
CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(4 hrs)
BIO 115: Principles of Cellular Biology(4 hrs)
BIO 221: Genetics(4 hrs)
CHM 416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(4 hrs)
MTH 125: Calculus I (MR)(4 hrs)
MTH 225: Calculus II(4 hrs)

Either:

BIO 299: Professional Practices in Biology(1 hrs)
Or
CHM 399: Research Seminar(1 hrs)

Either set of:

BIO 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
And
BIO 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
Or
CHM 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
And
CHM 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

Either set of:

PHY 101: College Physics I(4 hrs)
And
PHY 102: College Physics II(4 hrs)
Or
PHY 201: General Physics I(4 hrs)
And
PHY 202: General Physics II(4 hrs)

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry consists of 69-70 hours in biology, chemistry, and physics. The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry is designed to prepare students for graduate school, pharmacy school, or professional work in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

CHM 121: General Chemistry I(4 hrs)
CHM 122: General Chemistry II(4 hrs)
CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I(4 hrs)
CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II(4 hrs)
CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(4 hrs)
CHM 391: Physical Chemistry II(3 hrs)
BIO 115: Principles of Cellular Biology(4 hrs)
BIO 221: Genetics(4 hrs)
BIO 416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology(4 hrs)
MTH 125: Calculus I (MR)(4 hrs)
MTH 225: Calculus II(4 hrs)

Either:

BIO 299: Professional Practices in Biology(1 hrs)
Or
CHM 399: Research Seminar(1 hrs)

Either set of:

BIO 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
And
BIO 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)
Or
CHM 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
And
CHM 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

Either set of:

PHY 101: College Physics I(4 hrs)
And
PHY 102: College Physics II(4 hrs)
Or
PHY 201: General Physics I(4 hrs)
And
PHY 202: General Physics II(4 hrs)

Either:

CHM 264: Analytical Chemistry(4 hrs)
Or
CHM 365: Instrumental Methods(4 hrs)

At least three credit hours chosen from the following courses:

BIO 301: Cell and Tissue Biology(4 hrs)
BIO 355: Microbiology(4 hrs)
BIO 357: Immunology(3 hrs)

Either:

BIO 412: Animal Physiology(4 hrs)
Or
BIO 414: Developmental Biology(4 hrs)

Specific requirements of particular post-graduate institutions should be determined early in the undergraduate program since these requirements may require courses for admission beyond the minimum required for the biochemistry major. An advisor on Health-Related Professions is available to assist students planning careers in medicine and other health professions. Suggested languages are Spanish, German and French.

The Major in Biochemistry is not open to students majoring in either Biology or Chemistry. The Minor in Biology and the Minor in Chemistry are not open to students who major in either Biochemistry degree.

Specific requirements of particular post-graduate institutions should be determined early in the undergraduate program since these requirements may require courses for admission beyond the minimum required for the biochemistry major. An adviser on health-related professions is available to assist students planning careers in medicine and other health professions. Suggested languages are Spanish, German and French.

The Minor in Biology and the Minor in Chemistry are not open to students who major in either biochemistry degree.

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

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