Major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (B.A.)

At Clark, your education extends beyond the classroom. Visit the Career Connections Center to learn more about internship opportunities that complement your coursework and put your biochemistry and molecular biology knowledge into practice.

The biochemistry and molecular biology major is designed to help you learn outside the classroom. Many students take advantage of internship opportunities during the academic year or over the summer to connect what they’re learning with their professional development. Some students choose to intern at Worcester’s University of Massachusetts Medical Center and frequently find that such experiences can lead to summer fellowships or admission to graduate or medical schools.

Other opportunities include:

Clark is committed to action-based learning, which means that as an undergraduate you can join faculty and graduate students in their research. Our faculty members have research interests in these subfields of biochemistry and molecular biology, among others: molecular modeling, protein chemistry, cell division, enzymology, signal transduction, molecular evolution, computational genomics, and gene expression. Join other BCMB, biology, and chemistry students, both graduate and undergraduate, at weekly seminars sponsored by the Chemistry and Biology departments, featuring a variety of research topics.

The opportunity to conduct research in an active laboratory can be a defining experience of your undergraduate education. Participation in research shows you real-world applications of classroom knowledge and skills, and provides invaluable experience whether you want to pursue a career in industry or go on to medical, veterinary, or graduate school.

You can get involved in research in different ways. You might conduct research as part of a research course or internship, or participate informally in faculty research during your spare time. You can also apply to our summer research program. Typically, about a dozen students each receive a stipend of $3,000 – $3,500 to live on campus for 10 weeks while working with a specific Clark faculty member. Another option is to apply for funding to support your own research on a project of your choice during the academic year or during the summer.

At Clark you’ll get more than a great education; you’ll also be prepared for a long, productive career and life of consequence. And once you’ve completed your degree, you can join other Clark alumni who have gone on to work for great organizations and attend some of the best graduate schools in the world.

With a biochemistry and molecular biology major, you can attend graduate school to further your knowledge of the field, or to train as a health professional (doctor, dentist, veterinarian, nurse, physical therapist, physician’s assistant, or pharmacist). The major also provides an excellent foundation for those wanting to pursue a career in forensic science, intellectual property law, or K-12 teaching.

Graduate School Placement

Graduate schools attended by biochemistry and molecular biology graduates from Clark include:

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, Mass.; M.S., Ph.D. in pharmacology
• University of Colorado Boulder; Ph.D. in molecular, cellular and developmental biology
• Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, R.I.; M.D.
• University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass.; Ph.D., M.D.
• Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass.; D.M.D.