STEUBENVILLE, OH — To meet the growing needs of its science students, Franciscan University of Steubenville has developed a new undergraduate degree in biochemistry.

“This is one part of our efforts to expand science degree offerings at Franciscan University in order to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce and the needs of students,” said Dr. Daniel Kuebler, dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences.

Graduates with biochemistry degrees have many of the same opportunities as chemistry and biology graduates—medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, and all the allied health professions including physician assistant, veterinary, chiropractic, and dentistry being the most popular. A biochemistry degree can also lead to careers as a chemical biologist, environmental or manufacturing chemist, molecular biologist, toxicologist, and clinical research scientist as well graduate studies in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and related fields.

“Biochemistry gives students the tools to study life from the bottom-up (from the molecular level) rather than the top down (from the organismal level),” said Dr. David Collins, professor of chemistry and physics.

Requirements for the new degree are consistent with guidelines provided by the American Chemical Society and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Three new courses have been created specifically for the biochemistry degree.

The creation of the degree is a culmination of a three-year process that began in response to student demand and the strategic goals of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. According to Kuebler, only a handful of other schools on the Newman Guide produced by the Cardinal Newman Society offer a biochemistry program.

The degree was a joint project between the Biology Department, chaired by Dr. John Perozich, and the Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering Departments, chaired by Dr. Collins.

The biochemistry degree is now available to current and future students. For more information on the new degree, contact the Admissions Office at 800-783-6220 or at [email protected].