Biochemistry-Molecular Biology - Career Planning

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB) major provides the knowledge base and develops the skills you will need in order to successfully pursue careers in a variety of science-related fields. The interdisciplinary nature of the major means that you will be become proficient in various scientific areas, including chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.

Through the BCMB curriculum, you will learn how scientists use cutting-edge technology to understand the molecular foundations of life, how to read and critically evaluate current scientific literature, and how to communicate science in both oral and written forms. Because the BCMB faculty believes that the best way to learn science is by doing science, the major is designed to ensure that all students participate in hands-on research experiences that can lead to publications in scientific journals.

Collectively, these experiences will give you a competitive edge as you continue to pursue your career beyond Hendrix, whether that will be in research, medicine, or other scientific fields.

Research and Internships Done by Majors:

• Research at one of several Arkansas institutions through the INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) Program (AR)
• Research at NCTR (National Center for Toxicology Research) through the Summer Student Research Program (Jefferson, AR)
• Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) through the SURP (Summer Undergraduate Research Program to Increase Diversity in Research) (Little Rock, AR)
• Research at UAMS through the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) Program in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Little Rock, AR)
• Research at UAMS through the SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) Program in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (Little Rock, AR)
• Summer research at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Little Rock, AR)
• Summer and academic-year research on the Hendrix campus with Biology or Chemistry faculty (Conway, AR)
• Summer research at LSU Health Sciences College (New Orleans, LA)
• Summer research at Oregon Health and Sciences University (Portland, OR)
• Summer research at The Ohio State University Experimental Hematology Laboratory, (Columbus, OH)

All members of the BCMB Program are happy to talk with students about graduate school and career opportunities available to students who major in BCMB. Consult the “What can I do with this Major” database for ideas. A BCMB degree would prepare you for working in many of the disciplines listed on the database among others.

Post-Graduate Outcomes:

The first destination for BCMB students following graduation (data from 2017 to 2019) 

Graduate and Professional Schools attended by BCMB graduates:

• PhD Programs
• Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, IL
• Molecular Microbiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR
• Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, TN
• Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, CT
• Graduate Biochemical Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
• Master Programs
• Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little, AR
• Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Penn State, PA
• Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
• Medical Schools
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, AR
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, (MD/PhD), AR
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine, AR
• Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, (MD/MPH), AR
• University of Texas Health Science Center, TX
• Pharmacy Schools
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AR
• University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, TX
• University of Memphis, School of Pharmacy, TN
• Dental Schools
• University of Missouri–Kansas City, School of Dentistry, MO
• Creighton University, School of Dentistry, NE

Occupations of BCMB Graduates

Early Career Examples: (students graduated since 2010)

• Radiology Intern at University of Illinois at Chicago
• Internal Medicine Intern at UAMS
• Associate at Thompson Coburn LLP Law Firm

Mid- and advanced career graduates (graduates before 2010)

• Orthopedic Hand Surgeon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• Science Policy Fellow at ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
• ENT-otolaryngologist in Mountain Home, AR and affiliated with the North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
• Senior Scientist at Merck