Biochemistry

Elements for success

Biochemistry majors are prepared for graduate and professional school and their entrance exams as well as a profession in industry through a rigorous classroom experience that concludes in the senior year with oral and comprehensive exams. Students develop critical thinking skills through hands-on, multifaceted courses and laboratory experiments.
Why study Biochemistry at Millsaps?

In their own words

Hannah Henderson, Class of 2024

"The department’s labs have served not only as a space for research and experiments but also a space for cultivating resilience, empathy and critical thinking. The high standards have pushed me to achieve. Additionally, the sense of community has been a defining feature in my college experience.”

Ellie Pfaff, Class of 2024

"The biochemistry department has shaped me to be a stronger student, but also pushed me to leave my comfort zone and grow personally. The professors have impacted my life in a way I didn’t expect. They have guided me at every obstacle and pushed me to go beyond my limits.”

Caroline McKinney, Class of 2025

"The biochemistry department has provided me with incredible professors that want nothing more than to help me reach my goals. I can rely on them and other students within the department for valuable advice, and these close relationships have helped me to develop my knowledge and skills.”

Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

CHEM 2310 Quantitative Analysis
Theories and concepts studied include solution equilibria, acid-base theory, oxidation-reduction, complexation and solubility equilibria. Potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques are also introduced in the course.
CHEM 3623 Biochemistry II
An introduction to the basic concepts and design of metabolism. Topics include the generation and storage of metabolic energy, control of gene expression, the application of biomedical principles to physiological processes and biological membranes.

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

Minor in Chemistry

15% Higher Pre-Professional Program Acceptance

Over the last 10 years, graduates obtaining B.S. degrees in chemistry or biochemistry were accepted into professional health programs at a rate 15% higher than the national average.

85% Medical School Acceptance

An impressive 85% of those applying to medical school were accepted on their first try.

Recipient of a $1.4M Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant

The grant expands our science curriculum to increase the interest in pre-medical education and deepening scientific training for all students.

Our distinctive strengths

Small class sizes allow for faculty to develop a personal connection with students. Walking in Olin Hall, you will see students in faculty offices asking questions, discussing research or just chatting about what movie they watched last week. The personal connection our faculty have with students translates in the classroom to teaching strategies that meet our students where they are. In 2018 the faculty redesigned the General Chemistry Laboratory course in order to ensure that a solid foundation of skills was developed that could be built upon in each subsequent lab course to lead to student success. Faculty pursue diverse research interests related to designing new pharmaceuticals, answering ancient archeological questions and understanding more about the complex protein environment in our bodies. All interested students are able to join a research project as early as their second semester and work closely with a faculty member performing lab experiments, delivering research presentations and writing scientific publications. Research experiences introduce majors to the scientific community and significantly distinguish students when applying for employment and graduate schools in the chemistry and health fields. Faculty within the chemistry and biochemistry program are highly committed to student success both in and outside of the classroom. The small class sizes and the experiential learning opportunities allow faculty to mentor and support students toward their career aspirations.
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Science Community
  • Faculty Availability

Gain hands-on experience

Faculty within the chemistry and biochemistry program are highly committed to student success both in and outside of the classroom. The small class sizes and the experiential learning opportunities allow faculty to mentor and support students toward their career aspirations. Opportunities include undergraduate research with a faculty advisor; Ford Fellowship; laboratory assistantships and teaching internships.

Pathways

Our curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to any career (and therefore any Pathway), as well as scientific writing and experimentation skills that may be especially critical to students interested in any of our six Pathways tracks.

Study Abroad

All Millsaps students can take advantage of our study-abroad classes. Millsaps College is ranked as one of the best study-abroad programs in the country! Check out all the opportunities.

More About the Degree

Recent Career Placements

  • Industry
  • Academia
  • Health Community (Hospitals, Private Practice, etc.)
  • Government

Postgraduate Study

  • Utah State
  • Case Western
  • Baylor
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Columbia University
  • University of Alabama
  • Mississippi State University
  • University of Edinburgh
  • Vanderbilt University
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center (Medical School)
  • Tulane University (Medical School)
  • Louisiana State University (Medical School)
  • St. Louis University (Medical School)
  • William Carey (Medical School)
  • University of Tennessee (Medical School)
  • University of Florida (Medical School)
  • University of South Alabama (Medical School)
  • University of Louisville (Medical School)
  • Emory (Medical School)
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center (Dental School)
  • Harvard University (Dental School)
  • Pharmacy School:
  • William Carey (Pharmacy School)
  • Old Dominion University (Pharmacy School)
  • University of Mississippi Medical Center (Physical Therapy School)

Careers of Recent Graduates

  • Research (Chemistry, Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, etc.)
  • Health-Related Professions (Medical, Dental School, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing)
  • Teaching (High School, College, University)
  • Consulting
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Chemical Industry (Quality Control, Process Monitoring, etc.)
  • Research Administration
  • Patent Law
  • Science Librarian

Related Areas of Study

  • Environmental Studies
  • Applied Math
  • Self-Designed Major

Ready? Take the next step!

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