About
Hands-on learning is at the Heart of Biochemistry
We know that science students learn by conducting experiments and doing research, and we’ve designed the Biochemistry major to begin doing meaningful work as early as possible in your academic career. All faculty are actively involved in research and ready to mentor students in research for credit or pay, whichever works best with your needs.
Like many schools, our class sizes are quite small. What makes us unique is the strong desire by the faculty to know you and understand your dreams and motivations. We’ll hold you to high standards while also providing the support you need to reach those heights. The Saint Michael’s experience is special —ask anyone who knows us.
Research-active faculty supervise independent research projects initiated by students. The breadth of scholarly topics reflects the diversity of our faculty and student body. Have an idea? We’ll guide you to bringing that idea to fruition. Faculty are skilled at getting national grant money to fund these transformative experiences for students. Research at St. Mike’s is funded through a variety of mechanisms including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and private foundations.
Faculty
In Depth
As a Biochemistry major, you will start with core biology and chemistry courses including Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. You’ll learn about the four macromolecules that make up biological systems–peptides/proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. Then you will go on to study biological membranes, enzymes, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and several health-related topics.
Because you take in-depth classes early in your time at Saint Michael’s, you get into the lab to do research sooner than at many other institutions. You’ll use multi-million-dollar equipment that is often reserved for graduate students at other schools.
All Biochemistry students take a two-semester Senior Seminar, where you will define and research a topic in great depth. In this capstone experience, you have two possibilities to explore: either prepare a comprehensive report on your topic or develop a research proposal modeled after the process scientists use to secure research funding. Both options are presented at our annual research symposium. Senior Seminar will provide you with real-world experience on a big project that you can take into your career or graduate study.
Careers
Careers in healthcare, research science, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are in high demand and have a very high earning potential. Saint Michael’s also boasts a strong, active alumni network to help you find the perfect match for your career goals.
Some recent graduates: a PhD student at Cal Tech, a research scientist at Cornell, a medical student at University of Vermont, and a resident physician at Loyola University, to name a few.
Graduate Study
Saint Michael’s Biochemistry students are accepted into medical school at a much higher rate than average—84%! Our combination of rigorous study, opportunities to do research, on-site patient care hours through fire and rescue, and dedicated professors who know you well enough to write unique and compelling recommendations position our students to transition successfully into graduate and professional schools.
In addition to medical school, our graduates pursue advanced degrees in subjects including biochemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, pharmaceuticals, forensics, and science education.
Students interested in Pharmacy can take advantage of our partnership with the Albany College of Pharmacy. This 3 + 4 program accelerates your path to a Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD).
Research
You’ll have access to labs and research at St. Michael’s early in your academic career. It is important to develop familiarity with equipment and research methodology. Skills with equipment directly lead to job offers for our students. To ensure all students have the chance to engage in research that interests them, these opportunities are available as paid positions or for academic credit. All of our professors are actively engaged in research with students.
Recent student projects include:
- Comparative Biomarker Analysis of Male and Female Breast Cancer for Improved Combined Diagnosis and Treatment
- Phenylcinnamides Coupled to a Peptide Vector as a Novel Therapeutic for Brain Tumors
- Male Birth Control through Small Molecule Inhibition of BRDT
- Epigenetic Plasticity of Arabidopsis in a Changing Environment Through the Regulation of Flowering Locus C (FLC)
- An Investigation of the Morphine Transport in Malpighian Tubules of Calliphora stygia and its Implications in Forensic Entomotoxicology
- The Effect of Post-mortem Index (PMI) and Temperature on eNOS mRNA in Mouse Heart Tissue
- Antiangiogenic Effects of Sunitinib and Cyclophosphamide Combination Treatments on Mouse 9L Gliosarcoma
- Laboratory-directed Protein Evolution of Butyryl-CoA Dehydrogenase (BCD) from Clostridium Acetobutylicum
In Depth
As a Biochemistry major, you will start with core biology and chemistry courses including Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. You’ll learn about the four macromolecules that make up biological systems–peptides/proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. Then you will go on to study biological membranes, enzymes, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and several health-related topics.
Because you take in-depth classes early in your time at Saint Michael’s, you get into the lab to do research sooner than at many other institutions. You’ll use multi-million-dollar equipment that is often reserved for graduate students at other schools.
All Biochemistry students take a two-semester Senior Seminar, where you will define and research a topic in great depth. In this capstone experience, you have two possibilities to explore: either prepare a comprehensive report on your topic or develop a research proposal modeled after the process scientists use to secure research funding. Both options are presented at our annual research symposium. Senior Seminar will provide you with real-world experience on a big project that you can take into your career or graduate study.
Careers
Careers in healthcare, research science, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals are in high demand and have a very high earning potential. Saint Michael’s also boasts a strong, active alumni network to help you find the perfect match for your career goals.
Some recent graduates: a PhD student at Cal Tech, a research scientist at Cornell, a medical student at University of Vermont, and a resident physician at Loyola University, to name a few.
Graduate Study
Saint Michael’s Biochemistry students are accepted into medical school at a much higher rate than average—84%! Our combination of rigorous study, opportunities to do research, on-site patient care hours through fire and rescue, and dedicated professors who know you well enough to write unique and compelling recommendations position our students to transition successfully into graduate and professional schools.
In addition to medical school, our graduates pursue advanced degrees in subjects including biochemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacy, pharmaceuticals, forensics, and science education.
Students interested in Pharmacy can take advantage of our partnership with the Albany College of Pharmacy. This 3 + 4 program accelerates your path to a Pharmacy Doctorate (PharmD).
Research
You’ll have access to labs and research at St. Michael’s early in your academic career. It is important to develop familiarity with equipment and research methodology. Skills with equipment directly lead to job offers for our students. To ensure all students have the chance to engage in research that interests them, these opportunities are available as paid positions or for academic credit. All of our professors are actively engaged in research with students.
Recent student projects include:
- Comparative Biomarker Analysis of Male and Female Breast Cancer for Improved Combined Diagnosis and Treatment
- Phenylcinnamides Coupled to a Peptide Vector as a Novel Therapeutic for Brain Tumors
- Male Birth Control through Small Molecule Inhibition of BRDT
- Epigenetic Plasticity of Arabidopsis in a Changing Environment Through the Regulation of Flowering Locus C (FLC)
- An Investigation of the Morphine Transport in Malpighian Tubules of Calliphora stygia and its Implications in Forensic Entomotoxicology
- The Effect of Post-mortem Index (PMI) and Temperature on eNOS mRNA in Mouse Heart Tissue
- Antiangiogenic Effects of Sunitinib and Cyclophosphamide Combination Treatments on Mouse 9L Gliosarcoma
- Laboratory-directed Protein Evolution of Butyryl-CoA Dehydrogenase (BCD) from Clostridium Acetobutylicum
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