GUIDE TO MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
College of Arts & Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Overview
Biochemistry is a basic science devoted to the
discovery and explanation of the molecular
processes that occur in living systems.
Consequently, biochemistry forms a foundation
for all aspects of biology, both basic and applied.
The objects of biochemists’ studies span a wide
spectrum of living species ranging from bacteria,
plants and insects to mammals — including
humans. In essence, we study chemical reactions
involved in all processes carried out by living
cells or multicellular organisms.
Professional options
A majority of Kansas State University
biochemistry graduates practice advanced
study in biochemistry and a variety of biological
disciplines. As graduate students, they become
involved in original research on biochemical
problems. After obtaining advanced degrees,
they are qualified to teach at the college
level or to enter the middle to upper levels
of biochemical, pharmaceutical, medical or
agricultural research organizations.
In research laboratories, biochemists with
advanced degrees usually work independently
on investigations or serve as research project
leaders.
Careers
Employers
Biochemists find opportunities in varied fields.
In a research laboratory, a biochemist might
be involved in studies on factors affecting
the health of cells or organisms, isolation
and identification of cellular components or
compounds, analysis for constituents of cells
or genetic engineering. The biochemist might
perform physical studies on the properties of
biological molecules and their roles in living
systems or utilize tools of molecular biology and
bioinformatics to search for genes encoding
proteins and RNAs, conserved domains and
assign functions to novel genes in newly
emerging genomic databases.
Graduates frequently are hired by biochemical,
biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical or
agricultural research laboratories operated by
universities, medical schools, hospitals, private
enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and state
and federal governments.
A degree in biochemistry also may be used as
preparation for other fields. The biochemistry
curriculum is a sound choice for premedical and
pre-dental students. A biochemistry degree
can provide the foundation for a position as
sales or technical representative for firms that
handle pharmaceuticals, scientific equipment,
agricultural chemicals or biotechnology
products. Additionally, it may serve as a bridge
to specialization in fields such as law or energy.
Points of pride
The Princeton Review picked K-State among
the best colleges in the country. K-State is
a national leader among state-supported
universities in its total of Rhodes, Marshall,
Truman, Goldwater and Udall scholarship
winners.
Job experience
Students in the major have many opportunities
for financial support while gaining valuable
research experience by way of summer
internships, as well as student hourly
employment during the academic year in
research projects supported by a variety of
granting agencies, including the National
Science Foundation, National Institutes of
Health, American Heart Association, Johnson
Cancer Research Center, K-INBRE and Research
Experience Undergraduate programs.
Academics
Degree options
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biophysics offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor
of Science, Master of Science and Doctor
of Philosophy degrees in biochemistry. The
undergraduate degrees also include specialized
tracks in medical biochemistry (B.A. and B.S.)
and molecular biophysics (B.S.) The B.S. program
requires more course work in the sciences and
less in modern languages and humanities. The
B.A. requires two years of advanced language.
The medical biochemistry curricula are aimed
to create successful programs of study for
students in premedical, pre-veterinary, predental or pre-nursing majors. They follow
the 2012 recommendations of the American
k-state.edu/admissions/academics
Association of Medical Colleges, or AAMC,
and the American Society of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biochemistry, or ASBMB, which
stress biochemistry in pre-health training and
testing while reducing emphasis on advanced
mathematics, physical sciences and organic
chemistry.
Molecular biophysics develops a different
set of skills for students who desire careers
in basic research or additional quantitative
and physical training. Among our programs,
molecular biophysics offers the most rigorous
mathematics, physics, chemistry and biophysics
training as preliminaries to laboratory research.
Students who are motivated in other directions
or undecided about their future careers may
decide that the standard B.A. or B.S. program
in biochemistry provides the most wellrounded program of study. Additionally, a
combined B.S./M.S. degree provides exceptional
undergraduates an opportunity to obtain both
a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in
biochemistry in five years. Learn more about
application procedures and the M.S. program of
study at k-state.edu/grad.
Faculty
Our faculty members represent a broad range of
specialties within biochemistry, biophysics and
molecular biology. They are actively engaged
in research and teaching. Consequently, the
student can expect to receive sound training in
the many facets of biochemistry.
Several faculty members in the department
have adjunct appointments with other
departments and colleges on campus,
which further expands the areas of research.
Similarly, faculty belonging to various other
departments and colleges who have research
interests in the areas of biochemistry are
members of the Graduate Biochemistry Group.
Our undergraduate students can participate
in research projects in one or more of these
laboratories, which gives them more flexibility in
pursuing widely different research interests.
Facilities
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biophysics has 14 large research facilities.
Ten faculty research suites are in Chalmers
Hall, which also houses the department’s
teaching laboratories. Other facilities are in
Burt Hall. The department is well equipped
for advanced research in a wide range of
areas. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies are
conducted at the Biomolecular NMR Facility
and use a state-of-the-art 500 MHz Varian NMR
Superconducting spectrometer system to solve
structural and dynamics problems in molecular
pharmacology, rational drug design, protein
folding and solution phase biostructure.
The university Biotechnology Core/Proteomics
Facility is housed within the department and
provides both instruments and expertise
for mass spectrometry of biopolymers,
oligonucleotide synthesis, peptide synthesis and
gas-phase peptide sequencing. High-resolution
purification of peptides and synthesis of
peptides containing nonnatural amino acids are
areas of special interest.
Activities
Research
In addition to classroom studies, junior and
upper-level undergraduates are encouraged
to work with faculty members in their research
laboratories to gain practical experience in
biochemical investigations. Many of them get
hands-on experience as early as the summer of
their freshman year and continue throughout
their degree program. Part of this research
experience may be used to fulfill a requirement
for up to 3 credits of “Problems in Biochemistry”
needed for graduation.
Financial assistance
Scholarships
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biophysics has funds through the Kansas State
University Foundation, from which scholarships
are awarded. Several scholarships of $500
are awarded annually from the Barlow, Bates,
Burkhard, Havley, Hughes and R. Merrill funds.
These awards are renewable for recipients who
continue as biochemistry majors and remain in
good academic standing (GPA of 3.5 or higher).
Suggested course work
College and university
requirements
In addition to the major requirements, students
in B.A/B.S/M.S. programs must take the following
courses:
ENGL 100, 200; COMM 105 or 106
(8–9 credit hours)
Four courses, one course for each of the
following sections: Fine arts, philosophy,
Western heritage, literary or rhetorical arts
11 credit hours min.
Four social sciences courses from at least
three disciplines (one must be an upper
level course (>500) or require another course
from the same discipline as a prerequisite
(12 credit hours minimum).
Core courses for all degrees
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 110, 521 (6 credit hours)
Chemistry courses
CHEM 210, 230, 350, 351, 371 (17 credit hours)
Biology courses
BIOL 198, 450, 455, 541 (15 credit hours)
Physics courses
PHYS 113*, 114* (8 credit hours)
* Molecular biophysics requires 213, 214 (10 credit
hours)
Mathetmatics course
MATH 220 (4 credit hours)
Must maintain a GPA >3.0 in required science and math
courses.
Additional upper-level science electives to complete
required credit hours.
Bachelor of Arts programs
Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 522, 755, 765 (8 credit hours)
Mathematics course
MATH 221 (4 credit hours)
Statistics course
STAT 703 (3 credit hours)
Modern language
Level 4 foreign language (4 credit hours)
Bachelor of Science,
Molecular Biophysics Track
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 755, 756, 765, 775, 799 research (14-16 credit
hours)
Chemistry course
CHM 500 (3 credit hours)
Physics courses
PHYS 325, 664 or 775 (7 credit hours)
Mathematics courses
MATH 221, 222 (8 credit hours)
Statistics course
STAT 703 (3 credit hours)
Bachelor of Science/
Master of Science program
Chemistry course
CHM 500 (3 credit hours)
Mathematics course
MATH 221 (4 credit hours)
Graduate-level courses
BIOCH 755, 756, 765, 790, 899; upper-level
biochemistry, biology or bioinformatics electives; BIOL
806 Biochemistry Seminar (31-35 credit hours)
GPA
Must maintain a GPA > 3.0 in required science and
math courses.
Thesis
Must defend a written master’s thesis.
Bachelor of Arts
Medical biochemistry track
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 522, 571, 755*, 799* research (5-8 credit hours)
* Requires choice of one of three courses
Biology course
BIOL 670 (4 credit hours)
Statistics course
STAT 340, 341* (3-6 credit hours)
Modern languages
Level four foreign language (4 credit hours)
Bachelor of Science
programs
Bachelor of Science in biochemistry
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 755, 756, 765, 775, 799 research (14-16 credit
hours)
Chemistry course
CHM 500 (3 credit hours)
Mathematics course
MATH 221 (4 credit hours)
Bachelor of Science
Medical biochemistry track
Biochemistry courses
BIOCH 522, 571, 755, 765 (11 credit hours)
Biology course
BIOL 670 (4 credit hours)
Statistics courses
STAT 340, 341 (6 credit hours)
For more information, contact:
Department of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biophysics
Kansas State University
141 Chalmers Hall
1711 Claflin Rd
Manhattan, KS 66506–3702
785-532-6121
Fax: 785-532-3556
biochem@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/bmb/
For more information about
Kansas State University, contact:
Office of Admissions
Kansas State University
119 Anderson Hall
919 Mid-Campus Dr North
Manhattan, KS 66506–0102
1-800-432-8270 (toll free) or
785-532-6250
k-state@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/admissions
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2016