UNT Home | Undergraduate Majors and Interests | College of Arts and Sciences | Biochemistry
Chemistry
emphasizes study of properties.
Medical Laboratory Sciences
emphasizes medical testing and equipment.
800-868-8211
www.unt.edu
www.unt.edu/AskUNT
Phone: 940-565-2681
Fax: 940-565-2408
TTY callers: 940-369-8652
University of North Texas
Undergraduate Admissions
1155 Union Circle #311277
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
www.biol.unt.edu
E-mail: biology@unt.edu
Phone: 940-565-3627
Fax: 940-565-3821
University of North Texas
Department of Biological Sciences
Undergraduate Advisor
1155 Union Circle #305220
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
Undergraduate Majors and Interests
Are you interested in transforming everyday materials into something new and beneficial for humanity and the environment? Then you may enjoy the rapidly evolving field of biochemistry.
Many University of North Texas students who choose biochemistry as their majors are interested in obtaining research positions. Researchers in biochemistry work in government agencies, clinics and hospitals, and nonprofit and private laboratories.
Manufacturers of agricultural chemicals, cosmetics, food and medicine are also possible employers. You might work to develop a line of nontoxic, environmentally friendly cleaners, biodegradable plastics, or food and beverage products that help eliminate nutritional deficiencies.
Other potential hiring institutions include:
You may become a product inspector or sales representative for a chemical or pharmaceutical company, an environmental consultant, or teach high school science.
To be considered a professional researcher and teach at a university, you will need to earn a master’s and possibly a doctoral degree in biochemistry, biology or chemistry.
A major in biochemistry will also prepare you to enter dental, medical or veterinary school or a training program to become an optometrist or an allied health care professional such as a pharmacist. UNT offers preprofessional advising if you are planning a career in health care.
As a biochemistry major, you may combine college and medical school through a joint program between UNT and the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth. You will spend three years at UNT working on requirements for biochemistry majors, then transfer to the health science center for four years of medical training. This can save you money and time by reducing the usual eight-year program to seven. If you are considering this option, you should work with the biochemistry and pre-professional advisors upon enrolling at UNT to prepare a rigorous course work plan.
UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies, and interview preparation.
As a biochemistry major, you will study or take courses focusing on:
You will be required to take technical writing, calculus-based physics and calculus courses to minor in biology.
We offer a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (B.S.B.C.) degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree. The B.S.B.C. degree is recommended if you are planning a research or medical career in biochemistry, medicine, clinical chemistry or other health related areas of chemistry. The B.A. degree will prepare you for a teaching career at the high school level in biochemistry, chemistry and biology and if you wish to enter professional programs, including medical school.
Faculty members in UNT’s biological sciences and chemistry departments are dedicated to excellence in teaching and represent a wide range of interests in the life sciences. Many have been singled out for their excellence nationally and among their peers.
One biological sciences professor was the only faculty member from a Texas college or university selected to participate in a program sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology. Another faculty member has been named Regents Professor for outstanding teaching and research. Regents Professor is the highest honor designated to faculty members at UNT. Professors at that rank devote at least half of their teaching load to introductory-level courses. Another professor has received the Shelton Excellence in Teaching award.
Our commitment to research and scholarship enhances the learning experience because it ensures that students receive hands-on research experience at the undergraduate level. In 2009, we were the only Texas university that participated in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance, which involves college freshman in complex research early on in their academic careers to spur their interest in science.
In addition, the decision to invest $25 million in six collaborative research clusters will attract new senior faculty while allowing our current faculty to pool their knowledge and interests in key areas and extend their research strengths.
As a biochemistry major, you may receive course credit for working on a project in one of our research centers or laboratories. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation, you will perform undergraduate research working closely with experienced faculty members. You may study plant biochemistry in the Center for Plant Lipid Research or the Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory. You may also participate in molecular biology or biochemical research with faculty members who are exploring avian genomes, cyanide biodegradation, molecular motors and response of organisms to stress.
UNT’s new Life Sciences Complex — a state-of-the-art, $33.2 million, 87,000 square-foot research facility for biochemistry and molecular biology, developmental physiology and genetics, and plant science — will open in June 2010. It will feature an open research laboratory concept, a climate-controlled rooftop research greenhouse for advanced plant science research, and an aquatics lab that incorporates fresh and salt water facilities.
You may work in a job related to your major through our nationally accredited Internships and Cooperative Education office. More than 4,000 employers work with the office to provide excellent learning opportunities.
Internships can last for one full semester or summer. Some of these opportunities may become full-time positions upon graduation. Co-op employers pay extremely well, and the jobs usually last several semesters, often until graduation.
We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.
In your senior year, submit your application for admission by March 1 (apply online at www.applytexas.org) and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.
You may declare your intent to major in biochemistry upon enrolling at UNT, but you must complete specific pre-major course work in biology, chemistry and mathematics to be eligible for upper-level course work in the major. Consult the UNT Undergraduate Catalog for specific requirements in the biochemistry pre-major, including minimum acceptable grades and grade point averages.
Transfer students should contact UNT advisors as early as possible for assistance in course selection toward major requirements in science and mathematics.
As a benefit for transfer students, we participate in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.
If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.
Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other valuable campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transfercenter.unt.edu.
Faculty members in the department, including one who advises biochemistry majors, will help you plan your class schedule and select courses necessary for your degree. They also can give you career advice. The department office is in the Biology Building, Room 210. The Undergraduate Advising Office is in the Biology Building, Room 205.
You can also utilize our new online degree audit system. This interactive tool can help you stay on track for graduation and prepare for advising appointments. You can monitor your progress 24/7, even viewing the impact of various majors. The system is easily accessible through my.unt.edu using the “my academics” link on the student center page.
Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog for
information on a BS in Biochemistry or
a BA in Biochemistry.