Biochemistry Program

Why a Biochemistry major?

The interface between chemistry and biology has been a rapidly growing area since the 1960s as research efforts in new fields of genetic engineering, structural biology, molecular modeling, and biotechnology have intensified . This trend is reflected both in an increased demand for graduate students in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as biotechnology and related fields. To satisfy these demands, biochemistry majors and/or departments have been created at numerous colleges and universities, and have proven quite successful at attracting students and placing their graduates.

Diverse opportunities for employment
Career prospects
Biotechnology connections

Biochemistry at UST is jointly administered by the Biology and Chemistry departments and is not a separate department. Students electing this major at the end of their sophomore year are assigned a temporary advisor in either Biology or Chemistry, but may pick an advisor from any of the faculty of the two departments listed below.

Course Requirements at UST:

Biology 201, 202, 204 plus 3 upper division Biology courses numbered 295 or higher

Chemistry 111, 112, 201, 202, 331 or 332 plus one elective from Chemistry

PLUS

Chemistry 440 and 442 (Biochemistry I and II)

PLUS

Allied courses: Math 113, 114, Physics 111, 112

Research Interests of UST Faculty:

Biology
Susan B. Chaplin: Animal adaptation to thermal stress; biochemistry and physiology
Jennifer Cruise: DNA recombination in regeneration and cancer; cell growth regulation
Simon Emms: Plant evolutionary ecology; allozymes and genetic markers
Nancy Hartung: Selection of transposable genetic elements in fruit flies
Jill Manske: Interaction of bone marrow cells in physiological stress
Dwight Nelson: Neurobiology of circadian clocks
Glenn Sherer: Embryonic development of liver and its microvasculature
Amy Verhoeven: Biochemistry of photosynthesis in response to stress

Chemistry
Joseph Brom: Physical chemistry; molecular and laser spectroscopy
David Boyd: Inorganic chemistry; preparation and analysis of materials
Brad Glorvigen: Organic chemistry reaction mechanisms
J Thomas Ippoliti: Synthesis of photochromic molecules and hydrophilic polymers
Gary Mabbot: Identification of viruses by PCR and capillary electrophoresis
Tom Marsh: Synthesis and analysis of self-assembled G4-DNA nanostructures
Kathy Olson: Mechanisms of action of DNA metalloregulatory proteins

Questions?

Contact any members of the Biochemistry Committee:

Dr. Adam Kay adkay@stthomas.edu)
Dr. Susan Chaplin (sbchaplin@stthomas.edu),
Dr. Brad Glorvigen bwglorivigen@stthomas.edu),
Dr. Thomas Marsh (tcmarsh@stthomas.edu) (Chair)

Biochemistry Program
Dr. Thomas C. Marsh, 402 OSS
2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
Contact Phone: 651-962-5599
Comments, questions, or feedback can be directed to
tcmarsh@stthomas.edu