Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

Biochemists and molecular biologists study the chemistry of life. This includes protein structure and function, metabolism, and the mechanics of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.

Our program serves students who want to receive a bachelor of science degree, as well as seek entry into medical or graduate school.

The Curriculum
Real-world equipment and techniques

From the start, you will have access to the key instruments and techniques commonly employed in biology and chemistry laboratories. You will also gain extensive experience in the use of recombinant DNA and genetic engineering technology to study gene structure and function.

An education founded on research

Our program emphasizes techniques utilized in genomics and bioinformatics—two important focus areas that you will use as you design and carry out your own experiments. During your first two years, you will focus on basic concepts and theories. Then, in your third and fourth years, you will apply these concepts and principles to the broader study of biotechnology. Our lab classes are research-based, allowing you to gain experience by conducting original research with faculty. Many of our students have the opportunity to perform independent research with faculty advisors on campus and present their findings at research conferences such as the annual Festival of Scholars or travel to conferences off campus.

Year-round research opportunities

You will also be encouraged to apply for summer research work. Many of our students participate in programs sponsored by our Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. Students have also garnered recognition through California Heart Association grants, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation summer research posts, and internships at local biotechnology firms such as Amgen and Baxter—among the nation’s top biopharmaceutical corporations.



Programs

Offered as a major (BA or BS).


Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


The Experience

My research was focused on identifying mutations in common canine cancers and examining how they relate to human cancers. An additional focus of mine is on screening these canine cancers to an array of anti-tumor drugs to determine their response and suitability for use in other mammalian models.

Tristen Burt ’15

The work I’ve done has prepared me for the demands I face in pursuing medical school by allowing me the opportunity to develop the skills to interpret data, analyze information, and drive the intellectual process.

Brittany Smolarski ’16

Your Future

Many of our biochemistry majors are accepted into medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and graduate schools.

As part of a growing field, you will have many career possibilities. You could work on the frontiers of science in the heart of America’s biotechnology industry, practice medicine, participate in cutting-edge research, unlock the secrets of recombinant DNA, or break new ground in genomics and proteomics.


Our alumni study at:
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Colorado State University
  • Harvard University
  • Loyola University of Chicago School of Medicine
  • Scripps Research Institute
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • UCLA
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of California, San Francisco
  • University of Nevada School of Medicine
  • University of Southern California
Our alumni work for:
  • Amgen
  • Baxter Bio Science
  • BioSource International
  • Dako
  • Hirauo Optometric
  • Integrity Bio
  • Invitrogen
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
Career paths:
  • BioTech Manufacturing Associate
  • EMT
  • Pharmacist
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Researcher
  • Physician

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

More Career Outcomes



Don’t pigeonhole yourself! If you are pursuing a career in medicine, but feel more at home in a different club, say, Cal Lutheran's American Chemical Society Student Chapter, then join it! Employers and graduate schools are more interested in what you got from your experiences than where you got them.

Sam Theis '14
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major
OMS-1 studying Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

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