UB Programs At-A-Glance

Biochemistry

Department of Biochemistry
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
140 Farber Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3000

Phone: 716.829.2727
Fax: 716.829.2725
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/bch

Kenneth Blumenthal
Chair

Gail R. Willsky
Director of Undergraduate Education

About the Department

UB has offered a biochemistry major since 1961. The current program was formalized in the early 1970's and is based in the Biochemistry department of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This arrangement provides a strong emphasis on medically related areas as compared to schools in which the major resides in the chemistry or biology departments. The most distinguishing feature of the biochemistry major is that each student is required to do 8 credit hours of research in an active research laboratory and to present a poster describing their research before graduation. Biochemistry majors are trained to develop the analytical and laboratory skills needed to carry out original research. In aulition to in-depth research experience, students further sharpen their skills as the educational focus changes from didactic courses to analyzing original literature papers. Each student has access to desk space in a research laboratory and to the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences computer laboratories.

Department Resources

Student researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities for biochemistry and molecular biology projects in the department and shared instrument facilities in the university and at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The department also houses protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis equipment, ultracentrifuges, scintillation and gamma counters, densitometers, spectrophotometers, and polymerase chain reaction thermocyclers, as well as computer stations for word processing and data analysis. The Biochemistry department is host to the Proteomics and Protein Characterization Center with 2D DIGE and MALDI-TOF instrumentation.

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: B.S.
Graduate: M.A., Ph.D.

About Our Degrees

The curricular goals of the department are to teach research based analytical and problem solving skills. This prepares graduates for graduate and professional biological science programs as well as direct employment in many areas.

Acceptance Criteria

Applications accepted after three semesters.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in science courses listed in first and second years.

Advising Note: Minimum GPAs of 2.0 in biochemistry courses and 2.0 in supplemental required courses are needed to graduate.

Acceptance Information

The department encourages students to apply by April 1st of their sophomore year. Students should contact the departmental office to obtain an application, which must be completed and returned with a DARS report. The application is also available on our website.

Number of applicants/year: 15
Number of accepted majors/year: 10 - 15
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 25

Suggested Introductory Courses


Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The Biochemistry department offers didactic and seminar based courses along with in-depth lab experience. In aulition to a course in basic biochemistry, the department offers two undergraduate courses designed to familiarize students with cutting edge biochemical research. These courses are offered in the second semester of the junior year and the first semester of the senior year, and because of their limited enrollment offer extensive opportunities for students to interact one-on-one with faculty. In aulition, our undergraduate majors have the opportunity to carry out individual research projects in faculty labs.

The average class size for pre-requisite courses in science and chemistry is approximately 200. Courses for students in their junior and senior year are no larger than twenty. T.A.’s are not used for our upper level-courses.

Although not required for majors, BIO 205 is a good course for those students who are interested in exploring biochemistry.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The research interests of biochemistry faculty encompass many of the most active areas of modern biomedical research. These include analysis of the relationship between macromolecule structure and function, the molecular pathology of inherited human disease, regulation of gene expression, and molecular determinants of development and differentiation. Faculty employ a wide variety of cutting-edge research tools in these projects, including the use of transgenic animals, gene arrays, analysis of molecular structure, and high throughput proteomics studies.

Biochemistry faculty have been recognized for their excellence in teaching by their receipt of teaching awards. In aulition, the research achievements of our faculty have been recognized by receipt of the Stockton Kimball Prize, and by their being named as UB and SUNY Distinguished Research Professors. In aulition, many of our faculty serve regularly on national grant review panels, or on the editorial boards of major journals.

Special Academic Opportunities

Research Opportunities

All biochemistry majors are required to do 8 credit hours of research in a biochemical area (BCH 490). Undergraduate students from any major who qualify can do research in biomedical sciences with members of the medical school faculty and the faculty of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Independent study opportunities are available with permission of an instructor.

Honors Program

Students who complete an acceptable report describing their research and who have a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall are eligible for departmental honors.

Awards

John F. Moran Memorial Award

Presented to the graduating senior with the highest grade in BCH 403.

Deborah, Christopher, and Adam White Memorial Award

Presented to the outstanding senior with the highest overall GPA and acceptance into medical school.

Outstanding Senior Award

Presented to the student who has maintained a high level of academic performance throughout their undergraduate career.

Extracurricular Activities

Majors frequently belong to the Pre-Professional Health Student Club (for information, call 716-829-2727) and the Undergraduate Biology Association.

Students are encouraged to attend our weekly seminar series and are required to participate in the annual departmental Research Day which showcases current research activity in the department.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Minors that Complement Biochemistry

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

Advising Information

Incoming freshman and sophomore students should contact our Biomedical Sciences senior academic advisor for advisement. Those students who have met the pre-requisites and are ready to become declared majors should meet each semester with the director of undergraduate studies and/or the assistant to the chair.

Career Information

Students with good laboratory and analytical ability and interest in the chemical basis of life will excel in biochemistry.

80% of our students go on to professional schools in dentistry and medicine or graduate school.

Alumni in Biochemistry have been employed in the following fields:

  • Agronomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Consumer protection
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environmental science
  • Food and drug analysis and technology
  • Genetics
  • Health related professions
  • Nutrition
  • Patent law
  • Pharmaceutics
  • Sales

Links to Further Information About This Program