Biochemistry
Offered by the Biology, and Chemistry departments.

Part life science, part chemical science, biochemistry looks at living things from the molecular level. Biochemistry is critical to health care, agriculture, the environment, energy and any industry or process that affects life. Today’s scientists need to communicate clearly with colleagues outside the lab; in this hands-on program you’ll develop the skills and know-how to present research for the scientific and lay communities. With its rigorous curriculum, the biochemistry major will prepare you well for a career in research, for medical or professional school, or for graduate study in the natural sciences.

Programs

Best College City for Biomedical Engineering

Forbes recently listed the Norton, Massachusetts area as the “Best College City for BioMedical Engineering” due to local corporations helping the field grow 23% by 2024.

View Forbes list

Outcomes

97% of Biochemistry majors from the past five years have found employment or achieved a service opportunity within six months of graduation *

97%
of Biochemistry majors

Recent Graduates


Sample First Jobs

  • Laboratory Technician, Kennebec River Biosciences
  • Research Associate, Cue Biopharma
  • Research Technician, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Science Teacher, Saint Gregory’s School
  • Technical Research Assistant, Brigham and Women’s Hospital


Sample Graduate Schools

  • Brown University
  • Harvard University
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
  • Simmons College


*outcomes data is based on a knowledge rate of 78% for the classes of 2014-2018

Recent student internships

The Wheaton Edge offers experiences beyond the classroom.

Julia Roth

2020, Biochemistry

Blakely Fetridge Bundy '66 Work and Learning Fellowship in Early Childhood Education and Development

Children's TheraPath, Bellaire, TX

My internship helped solidify my love for working with children. I learned I have a deep interest in working with children of different abilities. I am confident that I want to be working within the field of pediatrics and child development.

Julian Draz

2021, Biochemistry

Caroline C. Edwards '70 Current Use Internship Fund

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellfleet, MA

I learned that I love doing fieldwork and working with a team of like-minded individuals, but I do not like doing repetitive data entry.

Robert Black

2021, Biochemistry

Mary Zygala Schleyer '74 Wheaton Fund Internship

Enable Life Sciences LLC, Worcester, MA

This research experience further developed my comfort and competency in a research lab setting. The hands-on work reinforced previously learned skills and provided exposure to new techniques.

Hannah Arkin

2021, Biochemistry

Barbara Bissell '72 Internship Fund

University of California, San Francisco, Mission Bay, San Francisco, CA

This summer I gained hands-on experience and learned what it’s truly like to work in a lab.

Faculty

Jani Benoit

Professor of Chemistry; Program Coordinator of Environmental Science

Hilary Magruder Gaudet

Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biochemistry Program Co-coordinator

Christopher Kalberg

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Jennifer Lanni

Associate Professor in Biology; Visiting Scientist, Boston Children's Hospital

S. Shawn McCafferty

Associate Professor of Biology

Robert L. Morris

Professor of Biology; William & Elsie Prentice Professorship (2015-2020)