What You'll Learn
Study the chemical reactions that make life happen. Explore chemical systems of incredible beauty and complexity. Confront real-world challenges like disease and environmental change. A biochemistry degree is the gateway to careers in research, medicine, and industry.
Exciting Courses
Early courses in our major expose you to all types of chemistry and give you a strong foundation in chemical thinking and problem-solving. Our advanced courses help you see how biochemistry can be used to solve real-world problems. You can take classes like:
- Metabolism and Metabolic Disease - Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms to produce energy and the molecules that are necessary to sustain life. This course will explore cellular metabolism with a focus on the relationships between key metabolic pathways and human diseases.
- Venom - Living cells and organisms must respond to their environment, which allows them to adapt to a variety of external conditions. We will use the language of chemistry to explore systems of interactions and regulations within and between cells. We will then examine the biochemistry of how animals, insects, plants, and microbes employ toxins to disrupt signaling pathways as a means of defense or attack.
- Proteins Gone Awry - Proteins play a multitude of roles in cell structure and function. To understand these roles, this class will go deeper into how the unique three-dimensional structures of proteins arise and influence their roles in catalysis, regulation, recognition, and information storage. Special attention will be paid to protein mutations and how alterations in structure confer on them new biological properties.
What Makes This Program Great
- Rigorous faith: Calvin’s widely-respected program integrates rigorous academics with a distinctive Christian purpose. We see biochemistry as a way to improve lives and serve your community.
- Meaningful experience: Conduct original, high-level research alongside your professors. Your research could lead to publication of your findings or presentation at a conference.
- Valuable skills: Calvin’s biochemistry program teaches more than just information. You’ll learn to communicate well, collaborate effectively, and think creatively about problems.
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Faculty
Rachael Baker
Associate Professor; co-Chair
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Calvin University, 2014-present
Postdoctoral Fellow, UNC Chapel Hill, 2013-2014