Biochemistry

Why choose biochemistry at North Central College?

In our investigative, interdisciplinary biochemistry program, you will gain a strong foundation in both biology and chemistry. You’ll prepare for a future in molecular life science and learn valuable techniques and use cutting-edge instruments as you explore how DNA and proteins interact to make up living cells. Original research with faculty mentors is a key component of the major; you'll present your work in our seminar series and may be able to share your findings at a national conference or in a publication. Our graduates go on to top-ranked graduate and medical schools and to jobs with industry-leading employers.

You can also:

Study current biomedical research and research ethics in our capstone course.
Apply for our funded summer research program.
Work with a dedicated pre-health advisor and the Pre-Health Organization for students.
Join the Beta Beta Beta biological honor society or the Student Members of the American Chemical Society group.
Minor in bioinformatics, neuroscience or environmental studies.
Participate in our annual research symposium.
Study abroad in a science-specific program in England or Scotland.

Anna Laky earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Chemistry Award

Anna Laky of Villa Park was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Chemistry Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Grace Muganda earns 2012 Outstanding Major in Biochemistry Award

Grace Muganda of Bolingbrook was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Major in Biochemistry Award during Honors Day May 15 at North Central College.

Heather Carlson ’91 delivers keynote address at Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research

Heather Carlson '91 delivered the keynote address at North Central College’s 15th annual Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research.

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Graduate Schools

Recent graduates in biochemistry have been accepted at:

Indiana University
Loyola University
University of California at Irvine
University of Colorado
University of Wisconsin
University of Michigan
Midwestern University

Medical and Professional Schools

Recent graduates in biochemistry include:

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Michigan State University Medical School
Rush University Medical School
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
University of York

Employment

Abbott Laboratories
Boston Scientific
Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals
New Trier High School
Northwestern University
Pierce Chemical Co.
Sigma-Aldrich

Feature

Grace Muganda

Biochemistry major, bioinformatics minor

“I love working in the lab and being around people who eat, breathe and sleep science,” says Grace Muganda. “It’s a great big family inside the Science Center—a real community. It’s marvelous to talk about your work with the faculty and other students. You can talk to the professors about anything, anytime. I can go to them with questions about life, worries about graduate school—anything. They really care about us.

“You can get a great education here. I completed an internship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison last summer, and I was the only intern in the group who had written a lab report fit for publication. I’m confident I can go anywhere and do anything I want to do.”

In fact, she’s well on her way toward achieving her current goals of graduate study and, ultimately, a career in medical education. “I want to become dean of a medical school,” she says. Grace recently landed an internship at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. “I’ll be assigned a mentor—either a Ph.D. or M.D. student—and we’ll do research together,” she says. Grace is also the College's latest Goldwater honoree. She earned an honorable mention in the Barry M. Goldwater National Scholarship Program.

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