Choosing the right Undergraduate Program is the first stepping stone to your career. Here's more information about the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Program.

• Is Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for me?

  For those of you unsure about selecting a major or if biochemistry will be a good fit, we welcome you to come visit and meet with our faculty mentors. They will introduce you to biochemistry and the possibilities that can arise from holding a degree in this area. Our department also offers two minor that will supply you with a good basis in biochemistry, if you are pursuing another major.

• Should I take AP classes in high school, and if so, which ones should I take?

  You should take as many as you think you can handle. These classes are usually smaller, better taught, and more challenging. Your high school teachers and guidance counselors can assist you in determining the best schedule. If you take AP Chemistry, you should be aware that unless you scored extremely well on the exam, we would recommend that you take it over, either at the Honors Chemistry of the general Chemistry course. However, for those interested in post-graduate health disciplines, AP courses may not be acceptable. Please reference your school of interest to make sure.

• What is the recommended course load for a freshman?

  Course load will differ depending on the background and abilities of the student. However, we generally recommend 12 to 15 hours. It's very important that students are not overwhelmed. We want everyone to start out with a 4.0.

  Since incoming freshman generally take Biology and Chemistry, we recommend starting a Math course as soon as possible, especially if Math was taken senior year.

• What do Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students do after college?

  Our students do a variety of things. About a third will attend graduate school for a masters and/or Ph.D, a third will attend professional school, and a third will do something else (e.g. get a job, law school, sales, etc.).

• Will Biochemistry prepare me for graduate/medical school?

  Yes. Both degree plans include most prerequisite courses for health-related professional schools, including medical. Of the courses our degree plan doesn't meet, students can use their general elective hours to fulfill those requirements. In fact, we require more courses than are necessary to take the MCAT. The extra courses will help you do better on the MCAT, and prepare you well for the professional school of your choice. Additionally, our majors prepare students for a number of other careers, including those in research and industry.

• How restrictive are the degree plans?

  Although there are a lot of required courses, BIOC majors have several hours of general electives. These are absolutely FREE. Moreover, the core curriculum also allows you to broaden your academic horizons. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the many courses offered by world-reknown experts on a variety of subjects. Have fun, enrich your life!

• What kind of support services do you provide?

  We are a small department, and we do our very best to keep track of your academic and personal progress throughout your time with us. As freshman, we invite you to a series of seminars, in which a variety of issues and interest to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors are presented and discussed. We have active undergraduate student organizations offering students opportunities to gather for numerous intellectual and social interactions. Peer tutor lists are also available in the advising office.

• What courses can I take at a junior college? Will they transfer?

  You can take any lower-level courses at a community college except: all chemistry courses. We don't mind if you take core curriculum courses elsewhere. Even Physics and Math are okay to take at a community college.

• What are honors courses, and who can take them?

  In order to enroll in honors courses as an incoming freshman, a student must first apply to the University Honors Program and be accepted. Interest in applying can be don't at the time of application to OSU. Once you have been accepted into the program, you can begin taking honors courses but you must maintain a 3.5 to continue.

• How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to undergraduate listserv?
  Send an email to biochemistry@okstate.edu with your name and current email address.  To change a previously submitted email address, sent your name and BOTH old and new addresses.