The Biochemistry Program prepares students for careers requiring a strong background in basic principles of the biological and physical sciences. Students completing the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science in biochemistry are prepared for professional employment in the expanding fields of biotechnology, agricultural and environmental sciences, biomedical sciences, the chemical industry, and the health-care industry. Faculty members provide students with an interdisciplinary education– in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics–necessary for employment in industry or government laboratories and entrance into graduate programs in a variety of fields, including agriculture, biology, 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 BS degree through the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences or a BA in biochemistry with emphasis in molecular biology or chemistry through an interdepartmental program in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The Senior Seminar assists students in making the transition from college to a career in biochemistry or graduate/professional education by leading students through individual research projects. Visit us online at: www.as.wvu.edu/chemistry/ BAbiochemdegree.htm or: www.caf.wvu.edu/college/ majors/undergrad/biochem.htm Majors in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences Agribusiness Management & Rural Development B Agricultural & Extension Education B, M Agricultural & Resource Economics M Agriculture Education M Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences M Agronomy B, M Animal & Food Sciences D Animal & Veterinary Sciences B, M Basic Sciences B Biochemistry B Child Development & Family Studies B, M Entomology M Environmental Microbiology M Environmental & Natural Resource Economics B Environmental Protection B Family & Consumer Sciences M Forest Resources Management B Forest Resources Science D Forestry M Genetics & Developmental Biology M, D Horticulture B, M Human Nutrition & Foods B Interior Design B Landscape Architecture B Natural Resource Economics D Plant Pathology M Plant & Soil Sciences D Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources B, M Reproductive Physiology M, D Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising B Wildlife & Fisheries Resources B, M Wood Science & Technology B Majors in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Biochemistry B Biology B, M, D Chemistry B, M, D Communications Studies B, M Computer Science B Creative Writing M Criminology & Investigations B Economics B English B, M, D Environmental Geoscience B Foreign Languages B, M Forensic & Investigative Science B Geography B, M, D Geology B, M, D History B, M, D Individualized Major B Industrial Mathematics and Statistics B International Studies B Legal Studies M Liberal Arts and Sciences B Liberal Studies M Mathematics B, M, D Philosophy B Physics B, M, D Political Science B, M, D Professional Writing and Editing M Psychology B, M, D Public Administration M Regents Bachelor of Arts B Religious Studies B Slavic Studies B Social Work B, M Sociology M Sociology and Anthropology B Statistics M Women's Studies B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate Dr. Ashok Bidwai Department of Biology Eberly College of Arts and Sciences PO Box 6057 Morgantown, WV 26506-6057 304-293-5201, ext. 31533 abidwai@mail.wvu.edu Dr. Harry Finklea Department of Chemistry Eberly College of Arts and Sciences PO Box 6045 Morgantown, WV 26506-6045 304-293-3435, ext. 6408 Harry.Finklea@mail.wvu.edu Dr. Paul E. Lewis Animal and Veterinary Sciences Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences PO Box 6108 Morgantown, WV 26506-6108 Paul.Lewis@mail.wvu.edu

Biochemistry through the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences and through the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, with emphases in biology or chemistry. Interested students should review the following information and direct any questions to the listed faculty members for help in matching their interests with the most appropriate program.

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

The Davis College’s faculty, classrooms, and research laboratories are housed in three buildings on the Evansdale campus. The Davis College also maintains eight farms, two greenhouses, an animal surgery and research facility, and more than 8,000 acres of forested land for teaching and research.

The WVU Eberly College of Arts and 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 are involved in educating and supporting the efforts of more than 5,500 students (nearly one-fourth of the WVU student body) who are majoring in one or more of 63 undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the College’s 16 academic departments and divisions. The College’s academic units and research facilities are housed in 14 buildings on the WVU campus. The Dean’s Office is in historic Woodburn Hall. The College and its Department of Biology also maintain the Core Arboretum, a 75-acre wooded tract adjacent to the Monongahela River.

The College provides the majority of the curriculum for all WVU undergraduates and a wide variety of required and elective courses for the entire student body. Arts and Sciences majors may, with permission, major in more than one discipline, and when appropriate, design highly individualized degree programs.

Eberly College undergraduate degree programs prepare students for many specific professions, while also providing a broad-based education that will remain relevant beyond the first job after graduation. Many Eberly College alumni go on to complete graduate and professional degrees. By providing students with analytic and communication skills, reasoning abilities, and a broad knowledge of the humanities and the behavioral and natural sciences, the Eberly College equips graduates for lifelong learning and prepares them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and an increasingly volatile job market.

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

Curriculum
The Biochemistry curriculum meets the recommendations of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for undergraduate degrees in biochemistry. Opportunities for hands-on research are available through the Departments of Biology and Chemistry in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry in the Davis College of Agriculture, and the School of Medicine. All Biochemistry students take a common core of 48 credit hours. Biochemistry majors complete 30 hours in an emphasis area. Students choose between earning a BS in applied biochemistry from the Davis College or a BA in either biochemistry with emphasis in chemistry or molecular biology from the Eberly College. Students also take General Education Curriculum courses and a variety of electives to complete the 128 credit hours required to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

Course Work

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

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.

Graduate School Opportunities
The Biochemistry Program provides students with an 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. WVU offers MS and PhD programs in biochemistry through the School of Medicine.

Salary Range
Biological and life scientists with a bachelor’s degree working in private industry earn on average starting salaries of $30,116 to $41,000.