What are "biochemistry and molecular biology"?
When you study biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB), you'll learn to understand the chemical and physical principles that make life as we know it possible. You'll examine biological processes from physical, chemical, and genetic perspectives in an academic discipline with great overlap with many other fields in the biological, chemical, medical, and behavioral sciences. There are endless possible areas of research, including investigations into the chemicals that constitute living organisms, how biochemical reactions are integrated and regulated, and how the genetic information stored in living organisms is expressed and controlled.
What can I do with a BMB degree?
- Graduate programs in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular genetics, genomics, immunology, pharmacology, virology, physiology, and nutrition.
- Professional schools for medical, dental, pharmacy, and optometry.
- Positions with biotechnology companies, food industries, clinical laboratories, scientific equipment suppliers, government, universities, and medical laboratories.
While many of our majors go on to graduate school or medical school, there are a wide variety of positions for biochemists who have only completed an undergraduate degree.
What classes do BMB majors take?
Our program emphasizes instruction in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Upper-level courses in biochemistry build on this foundation. BMB may be a good fit for you if you're strong in:
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Biology
All BMB majors participate in authentic, course-based laboratory research as part of our undergraduate curriculum. Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) provide students the opportunity to gain research experience by participating in research projects conducted in the classroom. There are also numerous opportunities for students to get involved in independent research projects.
Find the full list of course requirements on our Requirements for BMB Majors page.
How would current UMass students declare the BMB major?
Want to learn more about the BMB major before you declare? Meet with our BMB Peer Advisors in LGRT 912 during their drop-in hours for an insider's perspective on the BMB student experience.
Ready to declare the BMB major? Submit the CNS Change of Major Request Form.
Email @email with any questions or concerns!
Can prospective students meet with someone in the BMB major?
Our Peer Advisors are experts on what it's like to be a student in our program, and they would love to meet you and give you a tour of our facilities. Email @email to schedule a time to meet.