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Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The biochemistry & molecular biology program at Dickinson is a rigorous course of study focusing on the junctions between the chemical and biological sciences. Students explore a wide array of topics, including gene regulation, protein structure and function, intermediary metabolism, genetics, developmental genomics, medical biochemistry and thermodynamics.

Jointly sponsored by the chemistry and biology departments, this major focuses on the rapidly expanding field of DNA research and biochemistry. Majors are directly involved in research projects, either on campus or at approved off-campus laboratories. Dickinson faculty members maintain active research programs in both fields, so students learn up-to-date techniques from active practitioners.

The program is interdisciplinary, requiring coursework in both the chemistry and biology departments. The goal of the program is to train students broadly in the biochemical sciences while providing practical laboratory-based research experiences , all to prepare students to succeed in graduate or professional schools.

Contact Info

Chair

Dana SomersAssociate Professor of Biology

Department Coordinator

Holly Coombs

Phone

717-254-8314

Fax

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Location

Rector North 1301 - Rector Science Complex Mailing Address

Department Features


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Study Abroad
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Current Courses
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Student-Faculty Research


Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

  • Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
  • LGH Pulmonary Associates
  • Thomas Jefferson University, Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience
  • Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan
  • MIT, Jacks Lab at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
  • Genocea
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Thomas Jefferson University Department of Neurology

Graduate Schools:

  • Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science’s Chicago Medical School
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) IRTA (postbac)
  • NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (postbac)
  • University of Oregon
  • Duke University
  • University of Glasgow
  • St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
  • University of Maryland School of Medicine
  • Columbia University 
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine, Drug Discovery
  • Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), Jamkhed, Maharashtra, India
  • Hastings Research Laboratory, Loyola University Maryland
  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care
  • National Institutes of Health's Endocrine Oncology Branch
  • UPMC Pinnacle Carlisle Hospital
  • Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
  • Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research

Student Perspective

"I love this major because it allows me to explore many different areas of science and how they all work together with one another, specifically biology and chemistry. I went into college knowing I wanted to major in biology. However, after taking the intro chemistry classes, my passion ignited for chemistry and how it works within biology, and I decided to declare biochemistry and molecular biology for my major."

—Conor Wagner ’24


Biochemistry and Molecular Biology News

All News Department News
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Biochemistry & molecular biology majors have been accepted to graduate school for pharmacy, dental medicine and physical therapy and to jobs at Penn Medicine and MaineHealth.

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Resilience in Motion: Moving Forward With Purpose and Heart

Resilience in Motion: Moving Forward With Purpose and Heart

It’s not easy to balance classes, sports and campus activities, but for first-generation student Annelyse Warner ’26, challenge is a chance to grow.

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Taking the Stage at the National ACS Meeting

Taking the Stage at the National ACS Meeting

Chemistry students present original research at one of the discipline’s largest national gatherings.

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Science, Soccer and a Sense of Home

Science, Soccer and a Sense of Home

Vincenzo Randazzo ’26 is a standout biochemistry & molecular biology major, soccer player and first-generation student who recently presented research at a national conference.

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Tackling Cancer and Food Insecurity

Tackling Cancer and Food Insecurity

Claire Choplick ’26 is a student-researcher in Mike Roberts’ cancer-research lab. She's also learning to address food insecurity by interning at a food bank in Carlisle.

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Dickinson Student Takes Part in High-Stakes Rescue

Dickinson Student Takes Part in High-Stakes Rescue

During a major snowstorm, Calyn Clements ’26 drove a mother and newborn to safety after a dramatic roadside delivery.

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