Biochemistry Major, B.S.

A Biochemistry degree opens up a range of highly skilled careers that incorporate aspects of both biology and medicine. If you aspire to be a pharmacist, medical professional, environmentalist or nutritionist, our Biochemistry program is a great way for you to hit the ground running as a technical analyst or to pursue a post-graduate degree.

Our Biochemistry program offers a focused, rigorous education in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Given the intensive nature of the Biochemistry degree, you will not to be required to complete a minor to graduate.

Housed in the state-of-the-art Science Building on the Auraria Campus adjacent to downtown Denver, MSU Denver’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department has nine teaching labs and three research labs with optimal instrumentation, including:

• Bruker 300 MHz NMR
• Fluorimeter and UV-Vis systems
• PCR thermocyclers, gel boxes and gel imaging systems
• Quantitative PCR thermocyclers
• FPLC and HPLC systems
• Microplate luminometer
• DIC, polarized and comparison light microscopes
• Class II biosafety laminar flow hood
• Differential scanning calorimeter
• GC, ion trap-GC, GC-FID and ICP mass spectrometers
• Flame AA and FT-IR spectrometers
• Neodymium YAG laser
• Dedicated cold room

Our department’s programs feature high-impact classes and practical, hands-on experiences in chemistry and biochemistry. Through these classes, internships, original undergraduate research and other departmental opportunities, we prepare students for their next step whether it’s a job in the biotech or biomedical industries, graduate school, medical school, or many other areas.  We are approved by the American Chemical Society, and offer scholarships and opportunities to connect to the broader scientific community.

Biochemistry students regularly present their original research at the MSU Denver Undergraduate Research Conference, as well as conferences both local and national.

Entry-level positions are available to those holding a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Potential employers include environmental agencies, forensic science services, research institutes, government, universities and the National Health Service. Among the careers available are:

• Analytical chemist
• Research technician
• Clinical laboratory scientist
• Medical technologist/medical laboratory scientist
• Forensic scientist
• Criminalist
• Biotechnologist
• Toxicology research scientist

Andrew Bonham

Professor Andrew Bonham holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Biophysics and Bioengineering emphasis. He has designed sensors for monitoring biological toxins and proteins to create medical and research diagnostics for toxicity and cancer and is currently running a research program with his students devoted to better understanding of DNA-based electrochemical biosensor design and implementation. In only six years at MSU Denver, he has won the Exceptional Achievement in Undergraduate Research Leadership Award, the Faculty Senate Teaching Excellence Award and the Golden Key Excellence in Teaching Award, which is particularly coveted because it is voted on by students.

Emily Ragan

Professor Emily Ragan holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Kansas State University. She is currently researching the use of the red flour beetle (tribolium castaneum) as a model system; her past research has focused on insect immunity. Her specialties include Biochemistry, General Chemistry and Nutrition.

MSU Denver Biochemistry alumni are employed as:

• Application scientist at a biotechnology company
• Associate microbiologist at a food manufacturing company
• Chemist I at a botanicals company
• Professional research associate at a university medical campus

MSU Denver Biochemistry alumni have continued their education as medical and Ph.D. students at:

• University of Michigan
• University of California Berkeley
• University of Maryland
• University of California Santa Barbara
• University of Colorado School of Medicine

The MSU Denver Chemistry & Biochemistry curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society and follows the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.