Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Dickinson College

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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.

Chair: Dana SomersAssociate Professor of Biologysomersd@dickinson.edu
Department Coordinator: Janice Wisswissj@dickinson.edu

Phone: 717-245-1329
Fax: ---
Location: Rector North 1301 - Rector Science Complex Mailing Address

Department Features

Study Abroad

Current Courses

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

Jason Yi

Jason Yi '01: Research Soaring With the Eagles

The former Dickinson biochemistry & molecular biology major receives grant to study autism spectrum disorder from philanthropic arm of Philadelphia Eagles.

Dickinson Students Present at World’s Leading Cancer Research Conference

Dickinson Students Present at World’s Leading Cancer Research Conference

Joining 21,000 global participants, members of Professor of Biology Mike Roberts' cancer lab explore the latest advances in cancer science, bioinformatics and drug discovery.

New Fraternity Aims to Build Community & Leadership

New Fraternity Aims to Build Community & Leadership

Dickinson launches a new chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity on campus.

Pivotal on the Pitch

Pivotal on the Pitch

Meet standout student-athletes Ethan Jarden ’26 and Isra Khan ’26, who made a major impact on the soccer field this season.

Student Conducts Cancer Research Through Harvard/MIT Summer Program

Student Conducts Cancer Research Through Harvard/MIT Summer Program

Megan Cravinho '25 is focused on the fight against cancer, conducting research at the Dana-Farber Institute as part of a high-level MD/Ph.D. program.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2024

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2024

Biochemistry & molecular biology majors secure jobs at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute; and Massachusetts General Hospital: The Suvà Laboratory.