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Major
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level.
![Small vials dropping liquid](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/national-cancer-institute-to8o0bqOA6Q-unsplash-e1703628175159.jpg)
About the Biochemistry Major
As a Southern Virginia biochemistry major, one-on-one interactions and small classroom sizes allow your professors and academic advisors to go beyond the classroom and guide your academic experience to better prepare you for further studies and research. This includes the opportunity to join the student-led Pre-health Professionals Association (PHPA) on campus and participate in RAM Clinic trips.
Even more, this tailored education enables professors to provide personalized advising and letters of recommendation for medical school, graduate school, or wherever else biochemistry takes you.
As a Southern Virginia biochemistry major you will receive:
- Invaluable hands-on experiences
- Work opportunities with various healthcare professions
- Networking with medical or dental school representatives
- Personalized preparation for the American Chemical Society (ACS) biochemistry exam
![Students working in lab.](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Students-working-on-science-project-scaled.jpg)
Learning Outcomes
What you’ll learn in the Biochemistry major:
- Understand and apply major principles of biochemistry.
- Understand, evaluate, and communicate scientific experiments.
- Demonstrate laboratory skills.
Career Opportunities
There is a wide array of potential careers with an biochemistry degree depending on your personal and professional goals.
- Biochemical engineer
- Chemical engineer
- Food researcher and developer
- Laboratory scientist
- Microbiologist
- Pharmaceutical researcher
- Pharmacologist
- Physician
- Veterinarian
Get Started in the Biochemistry Major
Follow these simple steps below to get a head start in the Biochemistry Major today.
Enroll
Begin by taking General Biology (BIO 201/202) and General Chemistry (CHE 201/202) in your first or second year
Contact Your Advisor
Get in touch with New tab, Opens Bio of: Professor Roger Johnson to discuss your interests and goals
Declare
Turn in a completed PDFDeclare Major Form to the Registrar’s Office
Questions? Contact the Registrar at emailregistrar@svu.edu.
Related Programs and Concentrations
![Jonathan Dye](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20220429_MAR_Jonathan-Dye_EF_0635-2048x1366-1.jpeg)
Alumni Success
Jonathan Dye (’22)
Laboratory Technician at Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Link to news articleRead More![Graduates walking](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GRAD-219-1040x693-1.jpeg)
Alumni Success
Lauren Morrison (’19)
Physician Assistant Graduate Student at the Mayo Clinic, the #1 hospital in the world
Link to news articleRead More![Graduate Eric Pinkston](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Eric-Pinkston.jpeg)
In the News
Preparing For Medical School: A Q&A With Eric Pinkston
Eric Pinkston (‘20) details what led to his decision to become a doctor, how he was prepared for medical school while a student at Southern Virginia University, and offers advice and suggestions to students interested in pursuing a field in medicine.
Link to news articleRead More![Graduate Adam Leone](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Adam-Leone-PKP-Fellowship-1024x731-1-e1703627672193.png)
In the News
Adam Leone (’20): First Student to Receive Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship, “The Professors [Here] are Incredible”
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—awarded Adam Leone (’20) with an $8,500 Fellowship to pursue a doctorate of medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Link to news articleRead More![Doctors standing over patient](https://svu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Remote-Area-Medical-Clinic-scaled.jpeg)
In the News
Southern Virginia Hosts Fifth Remote Area Medical Clinic
Southern Virginia University hosted a clinic run by the Remote Area Medical (RAM) of Virginia on its campus last month, where people from the surrounding area received free dental, vision and general medical care. It was the University’s fifth time hosting the clinic.
Link to news articleRead More