What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry seeks to understand life at the level of molecules and their chemistry.  Living processes are studied in terms of the chemical reactions that occur, the structure and conformational changes of molecules, and the binding interactions between molecules.

 

What do biochemists do?

Biochemists follow careers in:

Pharmaceutical industry (drug discovery)            

Basic Research (academic & government labs)

Agriculture (plant and pesticide development)

Food production and technology

Biochemistry asks questions such as:

• how do cells convert sugar into energy and ATP?
• why is the protein hemoglobin good at carrying oxygen in the blood?
• how do some drugs work as enzyme inhibitors?
• how do DNA mutations result in altered proteins?
• how do plants convert light into chemical energy?

Biotechnology
Medicine (medical school)
Education (teaching)

Program Office

Biochemistry Program
Department of Physical Sciences Kutztown University
P.O. Box 730
Kutztown, PA 19530

Phone: (610) 683- 4447

The Biochemistry Program at Kutztown University is administered through the Chemistry Program in the Dept. of Physical Sciences. A B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biochemistry are both offered. In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to participate in research projects. This research can count as course credit (independent study) towards the Biochemistry major.

The core courses in Biochemistry include:

Coursework and research in the Biochemistry utilizes facilities in both the Chemistry and Biology programs. The Physical Sciences (Chemistry) and Biology Departments are housed together in the new Boehm Science Center building.

The modern facilities include thermocycler for PCR (polymerase chain reaction), BioTek microplate reader (absorbance, fluorescence, & luminescence), micro and large capacity centrifuges, electrophoresis apparatus for proteins and DNA, Kodak digital gel imaging system, Cary UV-visible spectrophotometer, PTI spectrofluorimeter, Agilent HPLC, Bio-Rad Gene Pulser, and integrated chromatography systems for protein purification.

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Matthew Junker
Department of Physical Sciences
314 Boehm Science Center

Phone: (610) 683-4199
Email: junker@kutztown.edu
Faculty webpage

Principles of Biology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

General Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry I & II
Biochemistry I & II

More specialized courses in Biochemistry can include:

Protein structure
Physical Chemistry II
Medical Microbiology
Botany

Specific course requirements and example degree plans:

Calculus
Physics I & II

B.S. Biochemnistry Requirements
B.S. Biochemistry Example Course Plan
Minor in Biochemistry Requirements
Requirements for all chemistry-related degrees