Mapping your Biochemistry Major
Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your biochemistry major.
The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a biochemistry major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.
Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic adviser.
Contact
| Student Success 301-696-3860 | Registrar 301-696-3620 | Center for Career Development & Experiential Education |
| College Catalog | Department of Chemistry & Physics | Biochemistry (B.A.) |
Year One
Fall Semester | Credits |
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I | 4 |
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar | 3 |
Core- Foreign Language 101 (placement) | 4 |
MATH 201 (pending placement) | 4 |
| 15 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II | 4 |
Core- Foreign Language 102 | 4 |
Core- or Mathematics 202 (placement) | 4 |
Core - ENGL 100 | 4 |
| 16 |
Year Two
Fall Semester | Credits |
CHEM 209 Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
CHEM 215 Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
PHYS 203 Intro Physics I | 4 |
BIOL 110-129 Biological inquiry | 4 |
Core – Health and Wellness/PE | 1 |
17 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CHEM 210 Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
CHEM 270 Physical Science Literature | 3 |
PHYS 204 Intro Physics II | 4 |
BIOL 203 Intro to Cell & Genetics | 4 |
Core - | 3 |
| 18 |
Year Three
Fall Semester | Credits |
CHEM 301 Biological Chemistry I | 4 |
BIOL 339 Cell Biology | 4 |
Core or Physics if not taken in Year 2 | 3/4 |
Core | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
| 17 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
CHEM 402 Biological Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 403 Biological Chem Lab Tech | 1 |
Core or Physics if not taken in Year 2 | 3/4 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
| 13 |
Year Four
Fall Semester | Credits |
CHEM 431 Quantum Mechanics Lecture | 3 |
CHEM 433 Quantum Mechanics Lab | 1 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Core - Health and Wellness/PE | 1 |
| 14 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
BIOL 331 Microbiology | 4 |
Core | 3 |
Core | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
| 16 |
Total Credits = 124
The Biochemistry major requires students to complete most Chemistry courses in a sequential order, especially through the 200-level courses. Several mathematics courses are also required and those courses are prerequisites or corequisites for physics and some upper-level Chemistry courses. Further, several upper-level Chemistry courses require completion of two semesters of physics. Finally, a few upper-level Chemistry courses are offered only on an alternate year basis. Students interested in graduate study in chemistry should consult with their advisor to select additional courses in chemistry and related sciences as necessary.
Mathematics placement plays a key role in this model schedule. If you place in Mathematics 120, take that course as soon as possible and then rejoin the mathematics sequence as above. The specific core courses need not be taken in the particular order listed above. But one should consider completing the core gradually over several semesters. Your advisor can assist in specific choices. If you have any questions, please contact the chairperson of the Department of Chemistry & Physics.
Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence
The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.
Cultivate
Explore your Major and Related Occupations
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Explore the curricular direction in biochemistry through the Hood College website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings. | Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and consider locations for a biochemistry specific internship. | Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either biochemistry or employment related. | Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either biochemistry or employment related. Be sure to include your research skills. |
Visit the What Can I Do With the Major?, and the CareerOneStop websites. |
| Enroll in CHEM 375 - Independent study with a Hood faculty member to gain work experience and college credit. | If you have not already completed, Enroll in CHEM 375 - Independent study with a Hood faculty member to gain work experience and college credit. |
Take the Focus 2 Career Assessment to learn more about additional areas of career interest. |
| Enroll in CHEM 399 – Internship in chemistry to have the opportunity to take part in research in a nearby laboratory and college credit. | Enroll in CHEM 399 – Internship in chemistry to have the opportunity to take part in research in a nearby laboratory and college credit. |
Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume. |
|
| Enroll in CHEM 499 – Departmental Honors to have the opportunity to take part in research in a nearby laboratory or on campus with a Hood faculty member (by invitation only) |
Engage
Locally and Globally
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Explore Free Radicals chemistry club and its engagement opportunities. | Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page. | Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search. | Attend department seminars every semester to gain insight about the current research and meet potential employers. |
If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest. | Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the biochemistry field. (Work with a Career Center counselor to identify individuals). | Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework. | Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the biochemistry field. |
|
| Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the field. | |
|
| Attend department seminars every semester to gain insight about the current research and meet potential employers. |
Prepare
For Post-Graduation Success
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide low or no-cost accounting services to those in need. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need biochemistry interns. | Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships, consider competitive national experiences. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may be recruiting accounting new hires. |
Talk to health professions advisor for relevant testing requirements and other opportunities if you are interested in medical school or dental school or veterinary school. | Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus. | Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need chemistry/biochemistry interns. | Attend and present at conferences of professional associations. |
Attend department seminars every semester to gain insight about the current research and meet potential employers. | If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the job field. | Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest. | |
| Attend department seminars every semester to gain insight about the current research and meet potential employers. | Attend and present at conferences of professional associations. |
- Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
- Meet regularly with your academic adviser
- Work with tutors at the Writing Center
- Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships
Learn more about careers in biochemistry: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/biochemistry/
- Basic research
- Applied research
- Grant writing
- Administration
- Some areas of specialization:
- Healthcare: clinical research (e.g., virology, immunology, enzymology), medical devices, and equipment
- Pharmacology: drug properties, interactions, application, and development
- Environmental: testing, air, water, and waste management, regulation, bio-remediation, biofuels
- Agricultural: crop production/storage, herbicide/pesticide development and application, bio-remediation
- Food science: preservation, nutrition
- Cosmeceutical: development and application
- Forensic: toxicology, DNA analysis, scientific instrumentation
- University laboratories
- Federal government:
- National Science Foundation
- National Institutes of Health
- Food and Drug Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Energy
- Department of Defense
- State and local government
- Public health departments
- Hospital laboratories
- Commercial medical laboratories
Explore more career opportunities in biochemistry: https://www.onetonline.org/
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