A new Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry will soon be offered in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, tentatively beginning in the fall of 2024.
The degree, which was approved by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors this month, will help prepare students to enter a career in chemical engineering, the medical field, as well as provide a foundation for students seeking advanced degrees in health-related programs.
“The B.S. in Biochemistry leverages faculty expertise in areas such as chemistry, biology, genetics, and mathematics, and will prepare our students for success in the 21st century,” said Dr. Ronald J. Vetter, dean of the College of Science and Engineering. “We are excited to offer this new interdisciplinary degree program at UNCW.”
The study of biochemistry – or the chemistry of life processes – has grown rapidly across the country over the last decade, and the pharmaceutical industry, in particular, is projected to see significant growth across North Carolina.
“This degree will be excellent training for students looking to pursue a career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry or broader healthcare research,” said Dr. Jeremy Morgan, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The interface of chemistry and biology will also play a valuable role in preparing our students interested in attending medical or dental school.”
The new program will build on a substantial increase in students over the last two decades in UNCW’s B.S. and B.A. chemistry programs. The addition of a biochemistry degree offers classes and skills that are not currently offered within the traditional chemistry track. Students interested in pursuing an advanced degree will have the opportunity to further their studies at UNCW by applying for the doctoral program in pharmaceutical chemistry.
Students in the biochemistry program will learn not only in the classroom, but in research opportunities available to them on campus, in the community and across the region. A goal for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is for all students within its degree programs to participate in research during their time at UNCW.
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