College of Letters and Science
Biochemistry Degree
Major
A BIOCHEMISTRY DEGREE COMBINES THE KNOWLEDGE OF BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY TO EXPLAIN LIFE PROCESSES
This interdisciplinary major has a chemistry-based curriculum, coupled with a significant biology component. The role of a biochemist is to look for understanding of organismal diversity in the principles and concepts of chemistry and physics, as well as in the structure, mechanisms and chemical processes that are common to all organisms. Pursuit of a biochemistry degree will allow students to explain life processes in terms of molecular structure and chemical reactions within living cells.
Why Study Biochemistry at UW-Stevens Point?
The biochemistry major will prepare students for admission into dental, medical, pharmacy and veterinary schools. Our students learn in-demand skills from experienced Ph.D. faculty members. They get hands-on research in areas such as virology, cancer biology, stem cell biology, human genetics, neurobiology, molecular ecology, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, protein structure and function and many others. Our undergraduates often publish their findings with our faculty and are listed as co-authors in top-tier chemistry and biology research journals. UWSP Biochemistry students also routinely attend regional, national, and international conferences!
Top-notch Facilities
The UW-Stevens Point Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry maintains a wide variety of specialized teaching and research laboratories. Teaching labs are well equipped with high quality instrumentation. Many courses have their own dedicated labs, while other labs are shared by two or three courses with similar equipment requirements. Most faculty members also maintain labs where they work with students on original research.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
If you love science, the School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry will feel like home to you. Drawing together two of the largest departments on campus, the UW-Stevens Point School of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry offers challenging and modern coursework in a supportive learning environment. Working together in one of the newest laboratory facilities in the University of Wisconsin System, our students and faculty put a high priority on collaborating in research and discovery.
The school administers pre-professional programs including pre-chiropractic, pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-optometry, pre-physician assistant, pre-veterinary and pre-pharmacy. It will prepare students for admission to graduate biochemistry programs, and jobs in bioscience-related industries, in government laboratories, and in the state’s research hospitals. Our research shows there are many unfilled bioscience-related positions in Wisconsin, particularly in the Madison and Milwaukee areas.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
Students are strongly encouraged to get involved in a research project with a faculty mentor. The biology and chemistry faculties have a variety of research interests and students have many interesting projects to choose from.
Benefits for Students:
- apply knowledge learned in courses to make new discoveries
- chance to present results at on-campus and/or off-campus research meetings
- potential to co-author on journal articles
For some students, the research opportunity presents a life-changing experience and they elect to pursue research as a career.
The department supports the local student chapter of the American Chemical Society and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) student affiliate. These are student-run organizations that help promote interest in chemistry and chemical education specifically and science in general. Biology student organizations include the Herpetology Society, the campus chapter of the Tri-Beta Lambda Omicron National Biological Honor Society, Pre-Med and Allied Health Club, and Animal and Pre-Vet Club.
State-of-the-art Facilities
Our teaching and research labs in the Chemistry Biology Building are equipped with $2.5 million in modern instrumentation that you will use! Many courses offer their own dedicated labs.
Meet Our Faculty
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Departments of Biology and Chemistry pride themselves on the strength and commitment of their faculty-to-undergraduate education. All courses required for a biochemistry degree are taught by Ph.D.-trained scientists who are effective instructors and mentors. We offer a challenging and modern course of study in a supportive learning environment. Meet your professors!
Jason D’Acchioli
- Assistant Dean, School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry
- Professor of Chemistry
715-346-2297
Karin Bodensteiner
- Professor of Biology Academic Director
- Online Associates of Arts and Sciences Degree
715-346-3994
School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry