Undergraduate Program Overview

Biochemists and biophysicists use the methods of physical science to study life processes at a fundamental level. Biochemists and biophysicists carry out both basic and applied research. Research biochemists ask questions like the following: How is information transmitted to direct cellular functions? What controls the expression of genes, to account for cellular differentiation? How do cells convert chemical energy, in the form of nutrients, to mechanical energy (as in muscle contraction), or electrical energy (as in nerve conduction)? How do organisms protect themselves, against environmental toxins and pollutants, or against infectious agents? How do hormones act, to control cell growth and differentiation? What are the molecular events in the processes of aging and cancer formation?

Biophysicists are interested in the same problems, but they use physical methods to ask questions, such as the following: How do biopolymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids, fold to achieve their regular three-dimensional shapes? How do their three-dimensional shapes relate to the function(s) they perform? How do genetic mutations change the structure and function of proteins? How do cell membranes carry out the transport of specific compounds? How do biological regulators, such as hormones and neurotransmitters, recognize and bind to their control sites on the cell surface? The principles of molecular biophysics are also the foundation of modern drug design methods used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Information produced by the Human Genome Project, identifying and mapping every gene in human cells, is creating multiple challenges for biochemists and biophysicists, in learning the biological function of every human protein. Biochemists and biophysicists want to see the fruits of their research put to good use for improvement of the human condition. Therefore, many biochemists and biophysicists do applied research in medical science, agriculture, nutrition, clinical chemistry, food science, toxicology, environmental science, biotechnology, and drug development.

Perspectives from alumi looking back:

I just wanted to share how much I appreciate the education that the OSU Biochem Department provided. Though it was an extremely hard major, it was incredibly worth it in the end. Even those subjects I thought I would never apply to my life, have definitely applied in med school. I hope you can share these things with other premed students in the courses now, as well as those who are considering going into the major. It was definitely a good decision. Jennifer Atkin, B.S. 2006

I was delighted at how thoroughly prepared for graduate school my OSU education left me. I came into the UC Davis Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD program at the top of my class, and have remained so, having finished my coursework with a GPA of 3.97. Furthermore, I feel incredibly fortunate to have come from such an intimate, friendly, and supportive department. For example, the socials that the OSU BB department had at professor's homes are very special.
Heather Bolstad, B.S. 2006