Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major - Academics

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.

Learn about fellowship and grant opportunities

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:

My Favorite Courses

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Course Catalog

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A portrait photo of Reedie Vilma Kodyte wearing a red jacket and standing in front of a large Christmas tree in Lithuania

Vilma Kodyte ’24 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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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.

A portrait photo of Reed College student Joshua Tsang. He is holding up a 3-D model of a complex molecule

Joshua Tsang ’18 Chemistry

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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.

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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

Learn About Career Paths and Possibilities

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

A laptop showing a graph and a notebook filled with notes are placed on a desk in a Reed laboratory

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.

Listen to Segovia Garcia's Journey