University of Maryland College Park Bachelor Degree Program in Biochemistry
University & College Info May 13, 2013If you have ever dreamed of being a chemist, one capable of changing the world and saving lives, then it’s time to think about putting your smarts to good use and pursuing a career in biochemistry. Whether you have ambitions in the medical field, pharmaceuticals, or forensic science, a degree in biochemistry will give you the training you need to excel and take one step closer to a rich and rewarding life. The University of Maryland at College Park’s bachelor degree program in biochemistry is all about the science you love – physics, materials, biology, medicine and nature.
The UMD Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Biochemistry Curriculum
Subjects you will learn during this in-depth four year training course include chemistry, life sciences, animal and avian science, nutritional science, and other related topics. Letter grade of a C is required to graduate, and a great deal of attention is given to lab work, research, experiential training, and understanding physiology. Additional training in biochemistry will include professional issues that often come up in the work, such as chemical research, radiochemistry, air pollution, ethics, analysis systems, spectroscopic determination and environment.
Preparing for a Career in Biochemistry after Earning a Bachelor’s Degree
After graduating from the University of Maryland at College Park, you will be a professional biochemist that is in-demand. Graduates have the option of pursuing further education, such as an MBA or master’s degree, or finding a job in a medical facility, vet school or pharmacology field. When you graduate, you could find yourself working in product development and testing, or in environmental chemistry, working with industrial hygiene, waste management, and toxicology. Government jobs are also in-demand, and will have you assisting in the lab, working for standardization practices, analyzing new technology, and finding new ways to merge chemistry, nature and computer science all for the benefit of society.
Research Programs and Other UMD Features for Biochemistry Training
Research projects at UMD are plentiful and encouraging, as students are given the opportunity to reach out with programs created by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program rewards about 60 students per year, and internships are also organized at federal research facilities such as the USDA, the Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, the Institute of Genomic Research, and many facilities.
There are also scholarships and awards given yearly to students who are putting their career first and taking education seriously. These awards include the Nathan Drake Award, the Inorganic Chemistry Award, the Hypercube Award and the Robert Battista Award for Undergraduate Research in Organic Chemistry. Senior awards include the American Institute of Chemists Award and the Chemical Society of Washington Award. For scholarships, ask about the ACS-HACH Land Grant Scholarship and the Albert Klavon Scholarship Fund.
Graduates who study this UMD program go on to work with prestigious organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the United States Department of Agriculture, and many more. This is a career path that not only pays well, but also teaches you how to start and maintain a career that advances science and health.
