Bachelor [Biochemistry] From Wellesley College

This program includes fields often called biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, as well as other molecular aspects of the life sciences. Expertise in biochemistry is central to breakthroughs in DNA technology, drug discovery and design, and molecular approaches to disease.

The inherently interdisciplinary approach of biochemistry provides an excellent background for many different career paths. Some students pursue careers in basic research through graduate studies or jobs in areas such as biotechnology, bioengineering, pharmacology, or clinical chemistry. These alumna end up in a wide range of potential workplaces, including universities and colleges, government agencies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutes, state and federal forensic and environmental labs. Other students apply their skills by entering programs in the health professions, such as medicine, dentistry and public health. Recent graduates have also entered fulfilling careers in teaching, law and business.

The Interdepartmental Major in Biochemistry provides exceptional training for students with interests at the interface of chemistry and biology. The major includes courses in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Math and Physics to provide a broad training in fundamental principles and contemporary ideas in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. Students are exposed to contemporary research throughout the curriculum through both investigative lab experiences in coursework that start at the introductory level and extensive research collaborations with faculty in Biological Sciences and Chemistry.

The Biochemistry major began in 1966 as ?Molecular Biology,? and is the longest-continuing interdisciplinary major at Wellesley. In 2006 and 2007 we honored the program by featuring a 40th Anniversary Lecture Series that brought back alumnae to talk to majors and the College community about their careers and scholarly work. The major has evolved through the years to reflect changes in the field, most recently with the introduction of a new integrated laboratory course in biochemistry and biophysics.

Students in courses and research utilize state-of-the-art instruments and tools used in current biochemistry research. Wellesley College was among the first colleges to acquire an electron microscope and a confocal microscope. Our most recent acquisitions include an enhanced confocal microscope, a circular dichroism spectrometer, a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer and a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer. Examples of some of the student research projects using these instruments and others can be seen in Student Research.