Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

 

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY is the study of life at the molecular level. Drew’s abundant research opportunities strengthen your résumé as you look for graduate schools or employment in industry after graduation. Our majors intern at Merck, Johnson & Johnson and other global pharmaceutical companies. Available as a major or minor program of study.

What You Study

The intersection of biology and chemistry provides an integrative focus for understanding the molecular processes of life, and students engage the material using contemporary methods of biochemical analysis and molecular biology. The curriculum consists of required courses which provides a strong background for further study in both fields and electives allow students to personalize their major and pursue their interests in either biology, chemistry, or both. A key component of the BMB program is the pursuit of at least one semester of original research, mentored by a member of the Drew faculty. These opportunities provide close collaboration between students and faculty, and often result in published manuscripts and presentations at national scientific conferences.

Where You Can Go From There

Students graduating with an interdisciplinary major in biochemistry and molecular biology have a strong foundation for entering graduate and medical schools, or industrial positions. However, please note that due to the breadth of the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, no single curriculum can prepare students for all graduate programs and industrial positions available in these areas. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors when choosing their elective courses so that they will have a background appropriate to pursue their post-graduation goals.

Learn More About Each Discipline

BIOLOGY AT DREW CHEMISTRY AT DREW


Imagine Studying…

questions at the frontiers of science with the potential to combat infectious diseases and genomic instability disorders in “Molecular Biology and Human Disease.”

VIEW THE COURSE CATALOG

It actually was more about my major than all the other introductory classes. We did a number of extended experiments and other things that are part of my goals for my PhD. ”
Robert Scheffler C’14
on Molecular Biology

Research Opportunities

BMB majors are required to complete at least one semester of independent research, under the guidance of a faculty member in the sciences. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue more than a single semester of research, as additional time spent on independent research generally leads to a richer experience. Below is a sampling of some of the research experiences that BMB majors can take part in.

RISE Up

The Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE) at Drew University will offer you unique opportunities to engage in undergraduate research under the supervision of retired industrial scientists. Experiential learning at its finest, RISE projects cover topic areas, including drug discovery, industrial microbiology, mathematics and more.

Select students are even awarded and recognized by country's most respected industry thought leaders. RISE student Tharani Theivakumar won a cash prize from the New Jersey chapter of the American Chemical Society for her presentation on anti-tumor agents. Two more RISE students have landed Goldwater Scholarships, the premiere U.S. scholarship for undergraduates majoring in math, science and engineering.

LEARN ABOUT RISE

Summer Research

Biochemistry and molecular biology is a rapidly expanding field, in part, due to the focus and funding devoted to medical research as the baby boom generation ages.

Understanding the mechanisms inside cells can help you move into food science, toxicology or the pharmaceutical industry. More and more, other sciences need the help of biochemists to complete their research.

LEARN ABOUT SUMMER RESEARCH AT DREW

Outcomes

Here is a sampling of where some of our graduates are right now:

• Chemical Analyst at Whitehouse Labs
• Pursuing MA in Biomedical Science at Rowan University School of Medicine
• Pursuing MBA at Columbia University

Primary Faculty

Please contact any of the following faculty members to learn more about this program:

Affiliated Faculty

  • Bimal DasMahapatra, RISE Fellow
  • Neal Connors, RISE Fellow
  • Vince Gullo, RISE Fellow
  • Roger Knowles, Professor of Biology
  • Sam Kongsamut, Associate RISE Fellow
  • Joanna Miller, Assistant Professor of Biology
  • Alan Rosan, Professor of Chemistry

Real research. Real rewards.

At Drew, you can have the kinds of real-world lab research experiences that most students won’t get until attending graduate school or working in the professional world.