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Undergraduate Studies

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry is the chemistry of life. It includes or has large areas of overlap with molecular biology, biophysics, structural biology, cell biology, metabolism, neuroscience, nutrition, genetics, etc. It tries to explain what happens in living organisms and how biological processes are regulated. It is a relatively young science. Our understanding is still developing and students can learn something new every day. 

Biochemistry is the chemistry of life. It includes or has large areas of overlap with molecular biology, biophysics, structural biology, cell biology, metabolism, neuroscience, nutrition, genetics, etc. It tries to explain what happens in living organisms and how biological processes are regulated. It is a relatively young science. Our understanding is still developing, and students can learn something new every day. An Undergraduate Major in one of our two tracks, Track 1: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCHM) or Track 2: Biochemistry and Nutrition (BCHN), provides an excellent preparation for:

  1. Medical School
  2. Graduate Studies in basic life sciences: Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Biophysics, Physiology, Bioinformatics, Nutrition, Environmental Science, etc.
  3. Industry: Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Food Production, Food processing, and others.
  4. Allied Health Professions: Nutrition, Dentistry, Forensics, Veterinary Medicine, Toxicology, Clinical Chemistry, Environmental Science, etc.
  5. Non-Health Professions: Scientific Publishing, Patent Law, and others.

Educational Objectives

The Undergraduate Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology strives to provide (i) superior training in nutrition, biochemistry and molecular biology and (ii) encouragement for self-study and research to students seeking a BS degree. As part of a research-oriented university, the department, through its students, creates new knowledge. As a result of our teaching efforts, the new BS’s created will be able to matriculate into professional and graduate schools or to find positions in teaching professions and/or industry. In addition, the department serves the community by providing expertise in matters related to nutritional and medical biochemistry. For example, it teaches biochemistry to premedical and other prehealth students across a wide variety of life science related majors including biology, microbiology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering.

Director, BMB Undergrad Program

Thomas K. Harris, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), BMB
Academic Advisor, BMB Undergrad Program
Course Instructor, Undergrad BMB401 and BMB417
Gautier Building Room #111
tharris@miami.edu