Biochemistry
Biochemistry at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ gives our graduates a gateway to become and enjoy careers as doctors, geneticists, professors and researchers.
Do challenging, valuable work
The molecular sciences are pushing our understanding of the world around us, inspiring a new generation of researchers who will help solve some of the world’s biggest problems at the molecular level. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ will help you gather skills essential to solving those problems. You’ll learn to:
- Plan and conduct complex experiments
- Manage lab teams
- Isolate, analyze, and synthesize proteins, enzymes, DNA, and other molecules
- Communicate effectively via reports and papers to share ideas and findings with your peers
Go further with a Hastings education
In an environment where professors take an interest in your success, you’ll conduct research and experiments using some great technology, including:
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
- Fourier transform infrared spectrometer
- High-performance liquid chromatograph
- Gas chromatograph and more
You will also present projects at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, earn internships and conduct summer research at leading universities that will allow you to network and hone professional skills for career advancement. Off-campus study opportunities may take you to the Fermi National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory plus other scientific and cultural locations.
Thanks to our small class sizes (most have fewer than 20 students!), and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, you’ll work closely with faculty and your advisor to complete your degree in four years. In fact, most students who graduate from Hastings do so in four years!
°¿³Ü°ùÌýblock-style semester structure means you’ll take just one or two classes at a time — which really lets you focus more intently on each class. It also lets faculty devote more time to every student because they’re only teaching one or two classes in a block!
Create your future
See for yourself how we tailor your education to your talents and your goals.ÌýSchedule a visitÌýand we’ll demonstrate how Hastings will inspire you to reach your potential, or if you’re a high school senior,Ìý.
Graduate with experience
At Hastings, Biochemistry majors serve one and sometimes two internships. Some expand their understanding of the world by studying abroad. Many take advantage ofÌý additional experiences to gather insight that helps advance career options. What does all this mean? You’ll graduate from Hastings ready to succeed.
Along your path, you’ll appreciate the stepping stones of teaching, counseling, inspiring, supporting and guiding from our engaged faculty. It’s an experience that’s true to Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, and you won’t find it anywhere else.
Your experience matters
Maximize scholarships — Yes, you’ll get an academic scholarship. But you’ll also get a “plus one” scholarship from the group, team or area you’re part of. It’s a great way to help pay for school — but also to find your people.
We’ve thought a lot about the ways students learn and built a four-year plan to help you navigate it all. From finding your place and in Year 1, to showing the world you’re ready for what’s next four years later.
Your transition from college to a career begins your first semester. Every class, internship, research study and activity adds up. We love to celebrate all the ways you shine — your experience matters!
Get involved beyond the Biochemistry classroom
- Alpha Chi (Academic Honor Society)
In addition to Alpha Chi, there’s always something to do at Hastings. Student clubs, service learning, Greek life, recreation and more make Hastings a great campus for student life.
Find scholarships for Biochemistry majors
Your high school achievements can both fuel and fund your success at Hastings. We offer a range of generous and renewable academic scholarships based on your GPA. Then there’s “plus one” scholarships — an additional scholarship for participating in anything from athletics to the arts to media (it’s a long list!).
It all adds up to making Hastings an great choice for you and your family.
First employers for recent graduates
- Aventine Renewable Energy
- GE Healthcare
- Ward Laboratories
- Peace Corps
- Midwest Laboratories
- U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
- Plus…we have several alumni in medical school and graduate school!
Faculty
Dr. Moses Dogbevia
Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Department
Dr. Neil Heckman
Professor of Chemistry
Success in Biochemistry
When senior wildlife biology major Marissa Ruiz arrived at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, she knew she wanted to get involved. She quickly filled her schedule as an RA, a tutor and a member of both the bowling team and the Student Association. “I find a lot of value and purpose in being part of my community,” said […]
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A collaborative research effort involving Ï㽶ÊÓƵ students, faculty and a local medical professional has been published in the Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences (URJHS), a prestigious peer-reviewed publication. The study, titled “Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parkinson’s Disease Patients,” investigates how the global pandemic affected the quality of life and functional […]
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Ï㽶ÊÓƵ sophomore Sam Acosta Castellanos stepped into his position as a quality and lab intern at Nova-Tech Inc. to help ensure the quality and safety of animal medicine the company makes. This real-world experience over the summer pushed him to grow as both a scientist and a person. “I go into the lab and […]
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Surrounded by playful black bears and a roaming grizzly, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ wildlife biology major Chyenne Tidyman spent her summer learning the ropes of zookeeping as an intern at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Tidyman, who is from Holdrege, Nebraska, had many duties at the zoo, including feeding, watering and cleaning up after the […]
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Ï㽶ÊÓƵ student Sophia Lee never expected a chance email to lead her to Japan, but now she’s immersed in high-tech medical research — and Japanese culture — thanks to a life-changing internship that’s broadening her horizons far beyond the classroom. The internship, which is based in Toyohashi, Japan, is funded by the National Science […]
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Medical providers in small towns and communities are not always available everyday — with some providers and specialists traveling from and working in several areas. For patients, this means week-long waits for appointments or hour-long drives to bigger cities. It’s an issue that earlier this year caught the attention of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ students Catie Reed, […]
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Kaitlin Bierman-Macke went into Ï㽶ÊÓƵ knowing she wanted to go to medical school — and found individualized mentorship and built a community of friends along the way. Now, the biology grad is about to graduate medical school and start her residency.
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Jenna Sterling, a biology major on a pre-dental track, took knowledge she learned from a rural health disparities class at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ to create Dental Day, a day to help individuals in the community with dental care needs that weren’t being met. She approached a local dentist with the idea, and it resulted in a […]
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What happens when theories of religion, geography, modern life and nature are combined? Ï㽶ÊÓƵ students Emma Morelli and Claire Fuqua went to a five-week Summer Youth Internship (SYI) at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) this past summer to find out. Fuqua, a sophomore wildlife biology and philosophy & religion major from Woodland Park, Colorado; […]
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