Biochemistry

Explore the intersection of life sciences, biology, physical sciences and chemistry as a biochemistry major at Wilkes. You’ll gain a solid foundation in chemical and biological principles, preparing for career opportunities in biochemical or pharmaceutical industries, government laboratories and academia.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Major, Minor On Campus 120-124 (22 for minor)

Why Study Biochemistry at Wilkes?

Begin using state-of-the-art chemical instruments in your first year. Conduct research side by side with expert professors.

The department possesses a wide range of modern spectroscopic and separations instruments, thermal analysis facilities, and equipment for synthesis and analysis. In addition, students can access the bioinformatics center and genomics-molecular biology center in the Department of Biology and Health Sciences.

The program is approved by the American Chemical Society, and students graduating with a BS in biochemistry are certified for membership. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on experience offer great preparation for graduate or professional school, and they make Wilkes grads sought-after employees.

The fourth year of the program is dedicated to cooperative research, a useful option for students selected in the Premedical Scholars program.

What Will You Learn as a Biochemistry Student?

  • You’ll explore a comprehensive curriculum in analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry.
  • Get hands-on experience with a vast array of instruments, including the region’s largest nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.
  • Develop written and oral scientific skills that enhance your ability to communicate effectively in any setting.
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Program Highlights

Research Opportunities

You’ll find ample opportunity to participate in research. All biochemistry majors complete a capstone senior research project. However, you can get involved as early as their first year.

Independent Study

Collaborate in novel projects with many related disciplines, such as biology, pharmacy, computer science, and others. Projects include organic synthesis, biochemical investigations, materials science, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry.

Chemistry Club

Join the super-active, award-winning Chemistry Club, which takes outreach programs to local schools, travels to present research at conferences around the country, and visits interesting places like the Corning Museum of Glass and the Priestley House.

100%

of biochemistry majors complete a senior research project

400

megahertz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer - the largest in the region!

72,000

square feet of space for experiential learning in the Cohen Science Center

Facilities and Instrumentation

Cohen Science Center

The 72,500-square-foot, LEED-certified Cohen Science Center features state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory space for hands-on, experiential learning – a hallmark of the Wilkes experience.

Chemistry Instrumentation

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry maintains a wide variety of chemical instrumentation and facilities:

  • 400 megahertz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
  • Microwave reactor
  • Infrared spectrometer
  • High-pressure liquid chromatography
  • Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer
  • Electrospray mass spectrometer
  • Capillary electrophoresis
  • Circular dichroism spectrometer
  • Ultraviolet/visible spectrometer
  • Fluorimeter
  • Stopped flow fast kinetics instrumentation
  • Ozone generator
  • Parr hydrogenator
  • Calorimeter

Chemical Library

The department houses computer equipment for online access to the American Chemistry Society Archives and many other scientific online journals. Additional library resources are available in the main campus library, the Farley Library.

Chemical Stockroom

The department maintains a large inventory of routinely used chemical items.

Careers & Outcomes

Popular Careers

  • Biochemist
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Physician
  • Researcher
  • Laboratory Technician

Recent Employers

  • Clinical Science Laboratory
  • Geisinger Health System
  • Sanofi
  • Siegfried Holding AG
  • Siemens Healthineers

Graduate Schools

  • Drexel University College of Medicine
  • New York College of Pediatric Medicine
  • Penn State College of Medicine
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • Temple University College of Pediatric Medicine

The most unique aspect of the chemistry department is the hands-on experience. Wilkes has numerous instruments that the students have the opportunity to use, such as the NMR, IR, UV-Vis, UHPLC, GC-MS.

Junior Alvaredo-Rosario - Biochemistry/Pre-medicine