One of the most meaningful classes I’ve had at Reed is Organic Chemistry with Prof. Alicia McGhee and Prof. Arthur Glasfeld. I grew considerably as a scientist (especially during long and difficult labs!), and understanding reaction mechanisms helped me to appreciate the beauty in the chemistry of biological systems when I took biochemistry the following year.
What You’ll Study in the Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Discover the molecular and chemical mechanisms that govern biological processes with the biochemistry and molecular biology major from Reed College. Train in the experimental techniques used to understand molecular and chemical mechanisms. Our strong focus on laboratory work prepares you to enter careers or pursue further study in a range of STEM fields, such as medicine, biomedical research, and environmental sciences.
Roadmap to the BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Reed
Explore the intricacies of living organisms and unravel the properties of atoms during your four years at Reed. Pursue your scientific passions with our hands-on curriculum and expert professors. Your degree culminates in the completion of your senior thesis, for which you engage in original research.
Year One
Dive into the Worlds of Biology and Chemistry
Start your academic journey at Reed with Humanities 110. Engage with diverse perspectives from the past and present while strengthening your critical thinking and writing skills.
In addition, take your first biology and chemistry classes that set the foundation for your major. Enroll in Topics in Biology I and II, Molecular Structure and Properties, and Chemical Reactivity.
Year Two
Get Ready for Research
Delve deeper into your major, taking fundamental chemistry courses like Organic Chemistry I and II and in-depth biology classes such as Genes, Genetics, and Genomes or Microbiology. These offerings include laboratory components and six-week research projects you design, execute, and present with your classmates.
The summer after your sophomore year is a great time to look for internships or research opportunities. You can become an assistant in faculty-led projects or conduct independent experiments. Apply for Reed College fellowships and faculty grants to fund your work.
Year Three
Prepare for Junior Qualifying Exams
Continue to take our advanced biology and chemistry offerings. In biology, choose from classes like Developmental Biology, Cellular Biology, or Neurobiology and Physiology. Your required chemistry courses include Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Structural Biochemistry, and Biochemical Methods.
And, of course, prepare for the biology junior qualifying exam and the chemistry junior qualifying exam. These assessments test your scientific knowledge and ensure you are ready for your senior year.
Year Four
Write Your Senior Thesis
Prepare for and complete your senior thesis during your final year at Reed. Collaborate closely with a faculty mentor to craft your unique project for which you will generate data, develop a model, or conduct a comprehensive analysis. Showcase your expertise through an oral defense, marking a rewarding culmination of your academic journey.
This significant achievement showcases your growth as a student and your passion for scientific inquiry, preparing you to contribute confidently to the field.
Explore biochemistry and molecular biology major learning outcomes
Why Study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major at Reed College?
Thrive with Collaborative Laboratory Experiences
Our faculty conduct cutting-edge research with undergraduate students, giving you many opportunities to develop problem-solving skills. Partnering with your professors can lead to co-publishing papers or presenting at national conferences. Explore the following grants, fellowships, and awards won by faculty:
- Professor Derek Applewhite, National Institutes of Health, to study a gene linked to cleft palate
- Professor Derek Applewhite and Anna Ritz, National Science Foundation, to investigate the signaling system that governs the shape of a cell
- Professor Mir Bowring, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund, on proton tunneling in organometallic hydrocarbon activation
- Professor Kelly Chacón, National Science Foundation CAREER grant, to characterize Ter protein components in tellurium-resistant bacteria
- Professor Sam Fey, National Science Foundation, to study freshwater phytoplankton and climate change
- Professor Jay Mellies, National Science Foundation, to further investigate the potential of soil bacteria in the degradation of PET plastic waste
- Professor Anna Ritz, National Center for Women & Information Technology Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, to bring computational thinking into student research and learning
- Professor Erik Zornick, National Science Foundation, to explore the ways in which patterns of behavior are written into the neural circuits of the brain
Funding for Research
At Reed, we encourage you to get hands-on experience through field and summer projects. We offer the following grant opportunities for biochemistry and molecular biology students:
- Helen Stafford Summer Research Fellowship
- Sandy River Gorge Field Study Award
- Arch and Fran Diack Student Field Research Award
- Reed College Science Research Fellowship
My Favorite Courses
Vilma Kodyte ’24
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Joshua Tsang ’18
Chemistry
My favorite chemistry class was Physical Chemistry Laboratory with Prof. Dan Gerrity. Physical chemistry can seem like a bunch of math and theory, but this class really helped me to visualize these theoretical concepts through the spectroscopy of simple molecules.
Careers for BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduates
Reed biochemistry and molecular biology majors have the research and critical thinking skills to prepare them for careers in medicine, analysis, teaching, and more. Careers for graduates include the following:
- Affordability and equity analyst, Portland Water Bureau
- Clinical pharmacy coordinator, Samaritan Health Services
- Manufacturing associate, Twist Bioscience
- Natural resource manager, Sonoma County Regional Parks
- Resident physician, North Olympic Healthcare Network
- Senior lecturer, The University of Sydney
- Treasurer, Institute of Food Technologists
Achievements of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Alumni
Upon graduation, Reed biochemistry and molecular biology students have attended prestigious laboratories, medical schools, master’s programs, and PhD programs, including the following:
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Stanford University
- The Rockefeller University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of California, San Diego
The Senior Thesis Journey
What’s it like to conduct an independent research project? How do you tackle the senior thesis? In the Burn Your Draft podcast, biochemistry and molecular biology major Segovia Garcia ‘21 discusses her thesis, which studied cell shapes and the spaces between them. Learn about her process and the relationship between her work and current cancer research.
