Skills developed through BMB coursework and related hands-on experiences include:

• Understanding biochemical, molecular, genetic and cellular processes
• Applying biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to questions about living systems
• Designing experiments to test biochemical and molecular hypotheses
• Applying laboratory methods safely and accurately
• Preparing and analyzing biological samples and documenting results accurately
• Troubleshooting experiments and interpreting unexpected results
• Reading, interpreting and evaluating scientific literature and evidence
• Analyzing biological and chemical data using quantitative and statistical methods
• Applying databases, computational tools and Python to scientific investigations
• Communicating scientific concepts to diverse audiences
• Recognizing ethical responsibilities in scientific research

Your coursework, degree option and experiences outside the classroom will all shape the skills you develop while at Oregon State.

Students preparing for computational careers may need additional experience in programming and statistics. Students planning for health professions should also build patient-care, communication and interpersonal skills.

Coursework provides the scientific foundation for careers and advanced study in biochemistry and molecular biology. Employers,graduate schools and professional programs also value experiences outside the classroom that help students apply what they learn, explore career interests and develop professional skills.

Oregon State students build experience in many ways while earning their degrees, including research, internships, clinical and laboratory experience and leadership. The examples below illustrate some of the ways Oregon State students have prepared for careers in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Undergraduate research

Undergraduate research allows students to investigate biochemical and molecular questions while developing the laboratory methods and technical skills used by researchers in the field. It also provides opportunities to work with faculty mentors and contribute to new scientific knowledge.

Oregon State students have conducted research in areas such as:

• Biochemistry and biophysics laboratories
• Protein and molecular interaction research
• SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein research
• Veterinary medicine laboratories
• Chlamydial cell research
• Linus Pauling Institute research
• Oregon Health & Science University laboratories
• Neurodegenerative disease research
• Biomedical and molecular science laboratories

Internships and professional experience

Internships and professional experiences allow students to apply their scientific knowledge in research, biotechnology, healthcare and laboratory settings while exploring different career paths and building professional connections.

Oregon State students pursued professional experience at:

• Oregon Health & Science University
• Genentech
• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• University of Tokyo Amgen Scholars Program
• Norton Thoracic Institute
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• USDA Agricultural Research Service

Clinical and pre-health experience

Students preparing for clinical professions can use early clinical experience to better understand patient care, healthcare systems and coordination, and the practical demands of their intended profession. Depending on the profession, relevant experiences may include patient-care employment, medical assisting, pharmacy work, clinical studies, volunteering and observation or shadowing.

BMB graduates pursued pre-health experience as:

• Pharmacy interns
• Medical scribes
• Medical assistants
• Caregiver
• Home health aide
• Medication aide

Leadership, service and campus involvement

Leadership, communication, teamwork and service are valuable in every scientific career. Experiences beyond the classroom can strengthen these professional skills while exposing students to a variety of scientific, professional and clinical environments.

These experiences help students build the technical, communication and leadership skills that complement a strong foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology.

The right level of education depends on the career you plan to pursue. Make sure to research the degree, certification and licensing requirements for your intended profession.

A bachelor’s degree can prepare graduates for entry-level roles in research laboratories, biotechnology manufacturing, quality and analytical testing, clinical research, laboratory operations and some health support positions. For these careers, relevant laboratory, research, internship or computational experience may be more important than immediately earning another degree.

Graduate or professional education is more common in careers that require advanced scientific specialization, science-led research or professional licensure.

A Ph.D. is commonly expected for independent scientist and tenure-track university faculty positions, while a graduate degree may be preferred for advanced molecular, biomedical or computational research.

Genetic counselors, physicians, pharmacists and physician assistants must complete the appropriate graduate or professional degree, supervised training, examinations and licensure.

Some careers require additional preparation without necessarily requiring graduate school. Medical laboratory scientist positions may require accredited clinical laboratory training, and employers may prefer professional certification; K–12 teaching requires teacher licensure; and engineering-intensive careers may require additional engineering coursework or a relevant engineering degree.

Career preparation does not always follow a straight line. Some graduates work as medical assistants, laboratory technicians or research assistants before beginning graduate or professional school.

Others earn specialized master’s degrees before moving into genetic counseling, public health, pharmaceutical science or biomedical research.

Graduates continue their education at Oregon State and at universities, medical schools and research institutions across the United States and internationally.

Representative universities and institutions

• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
• University of Washington
• Western University of Health Sciences
• Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
• New York University Grossman School of Medicine
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Boston University
• Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Pacific University
• University of Queensland
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Common graduate and professional disciplines

• Genetic counseling
• Biochemistry and biophysics
• Cellular and molecular biology
• Medical sciences like toxicology, cancer biology, immunology, molecular biomedicine and pharmacology
• Computer sciences like bioinformatics and computational biology
• Bio- or biomedical engineering
• Health administration
• Professional degrees in pharmacy, medicine and osteopathy
• Education