Biochemistry

Experiential Major Menu

BS, Biochemistry

WHERE BIOCHEMISTRY STUDENTS GO

Students pursuits one-year post-graduation:

Pie chart with labels for each section of where students go after graduation.

  • Employed: 57%
  • Further Education: 43%

*Data from 2022 graduates

Industries of employment for students one-year out:

  • Manufacturing
  • Academics
  • High Tech/Information Technology
  • Biotech/BioEng/Pharmacueticals
  • Environmental Resources/Water
  • Electronics/Electrical Components
  • Energy – Alternative/Renewable

Job titles of our graduates one-year out:

  • Associate chemist
  • Laboratory technician
  • R&D associate
  • Analytical chemist
  • Biomedical scientist
  • Clinical research associate
  • Forensic scientist
  • Healthcare scientist
  • Research scientist
  • Scientific laboratory technician
  • Toxicologist

This menu is a tool for you to use to explore opportunities at Mines outside of the classroom. These are not requirements, but rather recommendations to help you leverage what Mines has to offer. Just like at a restaurant, choose what looks best to you and start from there! This menu can help you create your own pathway and customize your experience during your time at Mines.

The activities are placed in specific years below based off staff and faculty recommendations, but you can participate in most of them at any time. There is never a wrong time to get involved if you’re looking, and no pressure to do any of these things!

Get to know Biochemistry

The biochemistry degree program at Mines is designed to prepare students for careers in the growing biotechnology industry (including medical devices and pharmaceuticals) or for those who desire to continue education in medical-based professional or graduate schools in bio-related disciplines (e.g. biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology). The biochemistry degree is uniquely focused on analytics, gene editing and microbiology.

This degree promotes a fundamental understanding of the fusion of chemistry and biology and an application toward technological problems. Professional biochemists apply their knowledge in many different areas ranging from environmental processes to the development of new biomaterials and novel renewable energy. They work in academic environments, high-tech start-ups, and research and development laboratories associated with practically every advanced technological field including medicine, energy, biotechnology, computing, and agriculture.

Academic options in Biochemistry

Explore the options below to see how to expand upon a Biochemistry degree and what to expect from the course load.

Commonly Pursued Minors

4+1 Programs

  • Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Hydrologic Science and Engineering, Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering, Hydrology, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Petroleum Engineering, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Physics, Chemistry

Academic Catalog

 

Get Involved

Attend Celebration of Mines in August to get to know campus organizations and academic departments, sample food, and play games. Below are some departments that offer many great opportunities to enhance your experience here at Mines.

Being able to receive a degree in Biochemistry while still experiencing the benefits of an engineering college has helped me to realize what opportunities are out there.

Ayden Marler

Contact Us: 

 1012 14th St., Golden, CO 80401          chemistry@mines.edu          303-273-3610 https://chemistry.mines.edu/biochemistry-degree/ 

Experiential Major Menu Opportunities

DOWNLOAD PDF of EMM

First Year

Leadership & Innovation

Professional Development

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement

  • Explore the option of a summer with SURF
  • Pick up copies of The Oredigger to see what is going on at Mines and maybe contribute a written piece.
  • Explore how to get involved with research through different opportunities on campus

Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

  • Apply to work at College View Middle School in Denver as a tutor
  • Join Society of Women Engineers as a mentee
  • Attend the Study Abroad Fair this Fall to start exploring your options. Additional scholarships may be available.
  • Attend the annual Celebration of DI&A at Mines

Health & Wellness

Academic Success

  • Sign your family or support system up for the CASA First-Year Family Newsletter so they can support your academic success
  • Attend the Major Fair and declare a major in late April at Declaration Day with CASA. Keep an eye out for an announcement in the Daily Blast

Second Year

Leadership & Innovation

Professional Development

 

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement

Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

Health & Wellness

Academic Success

  • Check out CASA for academic advising to go over your schedule and academic opportunities
  • Explore Bounce Back if you are needing to retake a course, on academic probation or returning from academic suspension

Third Year

Leadership & Innovation

  • TA/LA for General Chemistry (departmental)
  • Become an officer in your student organization
  • Apply to be an Undergraduate Writing Fellow, a peer tutor in the Writing Center. Check the Daily Blast for information in early October. 

Professional Development

  • Consider opportunities for graduate schools
  • Take Introduction to Research Ethics (SYGN 502) or Professional Oral Communication (LICM 501), both are graduate classes but accessible to Undergraduates.
  • Write an article for SWE’s annual newsletter
  • Be a tutor or lead core review with CASA 

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement

  • Show your research outcomes in Reuleaux
  • Explore options to join a musical group on campus or Mines Little Theater
  • Take Research, Values, and Communication (HASS 360)
  • Co-author a paper with a fellow student or faculty member
  • Manage departmental or student organization’s web and/or social media presence
  • Sign up for CHGN 495 to gain research experience

Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

  • Assist with Trick-or-Treat so Golden Can Eat, more information in Daily Blast
  • Tutoring at local high schools
  • Explore DI&A workshops along with trainings from SHAPE
  • Join the departmental DI&A Council
  • Serve as a panelist at Making The Connection or other recruitment events
  • Coordinate an S2S community service event 

Health & Wellness

Academic Success

  • Participate in Summer Field Session this upcoming summer (departmental)
  • Meet with CASA to go over your schedule and talk about possible graduate opportunities including 4+1 programs
  • Start to request letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors for graduate school or jobs

Fourth Year

Leadership & Innovation

  • Expand your leadership in your organization
  • Take CSM 350: Special Studies in Leadership & Small Group Dynamics

Professional Development

  • Look for full time employment at Career Day and on DiggerNet.
  • Take advantage of the Career Center’s Offer Letter Review

Research, Creative & Scholarly Achievement

Inclusive & Impactful Civic Engagement

  • Tutor at a local high school
  • Volunteer as a mentor for K-14 student with Rocky Mountain MESA
  • Take Art & Environmentalism in Italy
  • Apply for a Mines DI&A community grant to help promote an inclusive campus
  • Facilitate a workshop at Celebration of DI&A at Mines. Keep an eye on the Daily Blast for calls for proposals.

Health & Wellness

  • Show your loved ones everything you love about Mines at Family & Friends weekend
  • Participate in the Imposter Syndrome Peer Education workshop before heading out into the workforce or graduate school
  • Help manage your stress with a Balanced Box
  • Take a Self-Check at YOU@Mines
  • Do a QPR refresh 

Academic Success

  • Apply to graduate school and/or job positions