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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Minor

Revealing how life works

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Minor

Revealing how life works

microscopic view of fluorescent cells.

What is the Biochemistry and Molecular biology minor?

Biochemistry is the branch of life sciences that studies the chemistry of life processes and development with particular emphasis on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Molecular biology is concerned with all the mechanisms of cellular molecules, such as DNA, RNA and proteins, and how they maintain life processes and that are essential for the cells’ functions and maintenance.

You can combine the biochemistry and molecular biology minor with any major including chemistry, biology, mathematics or engineering to get a well-rounded education in the fundamentals of life science. The minor can prepare students very well for medical school admissions, professional health programs as well as competitive interdisciplinary graduate programs in life sciences, bioinformatics and computational biology.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology minor is designed to help you acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject that encompass laboratory, experimental and analytical skills as well as design of experiments and research methods.

Prerequisites include courses in biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. In addition to core courses in biochemistry and molecular biology, you can choose electives in bioinformatics, neuroscience, advanced cell biology and other areas to acquire broad knowledge and expertise to match your particular career interests.

Note: Students majoring in Biochemistry and Biophysics or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology cannot declare the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology minor.

Undergraduates interested in the biochemistry and molecular biology minor should contact Dr. Kari Van Zee (kari.van.zee@oregonstate.edu).

Sample courses

Macromolecular Structure

The Human Microbiome

Behavioral Neurobiology

Meet our student and alumni

‘Fearless’ biochemistry and molecular biology senior works at the cutting edge of cell evolution

Ilana Gottfried-Lee has spent the past two years performing cutting-edge research in the Unnatural Protein Facility - diving headfirst into a project that has never been attempted before.

Fulbright awards will take science students to Germany and New Zealand

Oregon State University and the College of Science are thrilled to congratulate biochemistry and molecular biology Honors student Maja Engler and biology alumna Emily Newton on receiving the 2021-2022 Fulbright Award.

Biochemistry, mathematics and molecular biology students win 2021 Goldwater awards for research excellence

Two students from the College of Science have been awarded the competitive 2021 Goldwater awards.

Next Steps