College of Agriculture, Forestry,
and Consumer Sciences

Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Biology
Department of Chemistry

The Biochemistry Program at West Virginia University prepares students for careers requiring a strong background in basic principles of the physical and life sciences. Students completing the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science in biochemistry will be prepared for professional employment in the expanding fields of agricultural and environmental sciences, the chemical industry, the health-care industry, and in biotechnology.

Faculty members provide students with an interdisciplinary education - in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and molecular biology - necessary for employment in industry or governmental laboratories, entrance into graduate programs in a variety of fields in agriculture, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, nutrition, and physiology, or for acceptance to professional degree programs in dentistry, human or veterinary medicine, optometry, and pharmacy.

Biochemistry majors have the option of pursuing a bachelor of science through the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences or a bachelor of arts in molecular biology or chemistry through an interdepartmental program in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The Orientation to Biochemistry course at the beginning of the program provides an overview of the biochemistry field to assist students in choosing a program emphasis and in finding a faculty mentor. The Senior Seminar at the end of the program in each emphasis assists students in making the transition from college to a career in biochemistry or graduate/professional education by leading students through individual research projects.

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences is divided into five divisions: Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, Forestry, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Resource Management. The College's excellent instructional and research facilities offer students a variety of learning opportunities.

The College's faculty and classrooms are housed in three buildings on the Evansdale campus, which is also home to the laboratory nursery school. The College also maintains eight farms, two greenhouses, and more than 8,000 acres of forest land for teaching and research.

The Eberly College of 
Arts & Sciences

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse academic unit within West Virginia University. A faculty of 300 and a staff of 125 support the more than 6,000 students (nearly one-third of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of the 28 undergraduate degree, 18 master's degree, or ten doctoral degree programs offered by the Eberly College's 14 departments and School of Social Work and Public Administration.

The various degree programs offered by the Eberly College are enriched through individualized guidance and mentoring, state-of-the-art computer labs, and world-class research and teaching facilities. In addition, the reach of the Eberly College's academic programs is extended into research and practical situations through the work of numerous research laboratories, five centers, and two institutes. The College programs prepare graduates for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation.

Admission

Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into either college as biochemistry majors.

Curriculum

The biochemistry curriculum meetings the requirements of the American Chemical Society and the recommendations of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for undergraduate degrees in biochemistry. Opportunities for hands-on research are available through both colleges as well as the School of Medicine.

Beyond the core curriculum, biochemistry majors complete 30 hours in an emphasis area. Students may choose between earning a bachelor of science in applied biochemistry or a bachelor of arts in either chemistry or molecular biology. Students also take a liberal studies core of courses and a variety of electives to complete the 128 credit hours required to earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry.
All biochemistry students take a common core of 48 credit hours listed in the table.

Career Opportunities

Students completing a biochemistry major are prepared for employment in the expanding fields of agricultural and environmental sciences, the chemical industry, health care, and biotechnology.

Course Work
Biochemistry Core Credits

ORIN 2
Orientation to Biochemistry

1 hr.

MATH 155 & 156
Calculus

8 hrs.

PHYS 101 & 102
Introductory Physics

8 hrs

PHYS 111 & 112
General Physics

8 hrs.

BIOL 115
Principles of Biology

4 hrs.

BIOL 117
The Functional Diversity of Organisms

4 hrs.

BIOL 219
The Living Cell

4 hrs.

BIOL 310
Advanced Cellular/Molecular Biology

3 hrs.

CHEM 115 & 116
Fundamentals of Chemistry

8 hrs.

CHEM 233/235
Organic Chemistry/Laboratory

4 hrs.

CHEM 234/236
Organic Chemistry/Laboratory

4 hrs.

Accreditation

West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Graduate School Opportunities

The Biochemistry Program prepares students with outstanding background for professional programs in dentistry, human or veterinary medicine, optometry, and pharmacy, and well as graduate programs in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, food science, nutrition, and physiology.

Salary Ranges

Biological and life scientists with a bachelor's degree working in private industry earn average starting salaries of $25,400, while master's degree holders averaged $26,900 and Ph.D. holders averaged $52,400.

For additional information, contact the following individuals:

Keith Garbutt
Department of Biology
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
PO Box 6057
Morgantown, WV 26506-6057
304-293-5394
kgarbutt@wvu.edu

Paul Jagodzinski
Department of Chemistry
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
PO Box 6045
Morgantown, WV 26506-6045
304-293-3068
pwjag@wvu.edu

John Killefer
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
PO Box 6108
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108
jkillef@wvu.edu

Last Updated:  06/08/05