The Field

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology aim to understand the chemical and physical principles that make life occur as we know it. They examine biological processes from physical, chemical, and genetic perspectives and, as academic disciplines, have great overlap with many other fields in the biological, chemical, medical, and behavioral sciences. Their demonstrated impact on the health and well-being of humanity have increased dramatically in the last generation, making them subject areas of great interest to those students interested in pursuing a scientific career.

From investigations into the chemicals that constitute living organisms, the focus has broadened to increase our understanding of how biochemical reactions are integrated and regulated and how the genetic information stored in living organisms is expressed and controlled. Most recently, the goal of utilizing this knowledge in practical settings in medicine and agriculture has spawned an extremely productive academic enterprise and a world-wide biotechnology industry, both offering unbounded opportunities for making new discoveries.

The interconnectedness of scientific disciplines is especially apparent in biochemistry. Students whose interest spans the fields of both biology and chemistry are frequently attracted to this discipline.