Explore life’s building blocks where chemistry and biology intersect. Discover—at a fundamental level—how living things function and survive. The natural framework for all organisms, biochemistry describes how life works.

Why study biochemistry at Sewanee?

Mixing the study of chemistry and biology, you’ll examine life on a molecular level. Customize your biochemistry major with an abundance of electives including cell biology, organic chemistry, genetics, immunology, and microbiology.

You’ll work closely with faculty and classmates in a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified building. Your labs will give you hands-on experience in courses ranging from mechanistic biochemistry to biochemistry of metabolism and molecular biology.

FIRST DESTINATIONS: BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS

Sewanee graduates secure positions in a variety of fields. Some you would expect, others are a bit of a surprise. Sewanee prepares you for your profession and your passion. Below is a sampling of recent graduates' first jobs.

  • Clinical research coordinator, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Ophthalmic assistant, Southeastern Retina Associates, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • Research coordinator, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
GRADUATE SCHOOL & PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS: BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS

Sewanee graduates enjoy extraordinary acceptance rates to top graduate and pre-professional programs–about 95 percent to law school and over 85 percent to medical school. Below is a sampling of where Sewanee grads continue their education.

  • D.D.S. dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University.
  • D.V.M. veterinary medicine, Texas A&M University
  • Ph.D. biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, Yale University.
  • Ph.D. pharmacy, University of Louisville School of Medicine.

A Sampling of Courses

Biochemistry of Metabolism and Molecular Biology
Biology/Chemistry

A study of the biochemical reactions of eukaryotic cellular metabolism and bioenergetics, focusing on enzyme regulation and function, protein structure, and selected topics in molecular biology and physiological biochemistry. Laboratory course.

BIOL/CHEM 316
Biology of Aging
Biology

A study of the molecular and physiological processes that govern our longevity. Seminar course focused on a careful examination of the primary literature. Demonstrations using living animals illustrate the effects of dietary restriction, potential longevity-inducing drugs, genetics, and reproduction on aging.

BIO 325
Microbiology
Biology

This course focuses on bacteria, and emphasizes how microbial metabolism, structure, genetics, and reproduction drive their ubiquity and evolution. Concepts such as mutualism, antibiotic resistance, immunity and vaccines, and virulence are explored through reading and discussion of primary literature. Laboratory course.

BIO 340
Advanced Biochemistry
Chemistry

An exploration of contemporary issues in biochemistry based largely on primary literature. Topics such as the biosynthesis and mode of action of antibiotics, protein engineering, signal transduction, chemical carcinogenesis, and isotope effects in enzyme kinetics are addressed in detail.

CHEM 417
View All

Biochemistry

Programs of Study

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry

Requirements for the Major and the Minor in Biology | Website

Requirements for the Major and the Minor in Chemistry | Website

Meet some professors

Elise Kikis
eakikis@sewanee.edu

Research in Elise Kikis' laboratory focuses on understanding the underlying toxicity of human polyglutamine-containing proteins that are associated with numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Along with students, Kikis approaches research questions using techniques like fluorescence microscopy, classical genetics and RNAi-mediated gene knockdown, immunoblot analysis of protein accumulation, and much more.

Associate Professor of Biology
Bethel Sharma Seballos
bvsharma@sewanee.edu

Bethel Sharma Seballos teaches Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry (laboratory only), and General Chemistry. Her research interests center around the development of protein-based biosensors and cell-signaling studies. Currently, students in her laboratory are studying the factors that impact the progression of fibrotic lung disease using a cell culture system.

Associate professor of chemistry
Clint Smith
ecsmith@sewanee.edu

Clint Smith earned a B.S. from the University of Central Arkansas and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. His varied interests include virology, molecular biology, biochemistry, virus evolution, and microbiology.

Associate Professor of Biology, chair of biochemistry major
Richard G. Summers
rsummers@sewanee.edu

Richard Summers has been teaching at Sewanee since 2001. He received a B.A. from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He teaches courses in Mechanistic Biochemistry, Advanced Biochemistry, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry.

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Contact

Clint Smith
Associate Professor of Biology, chair of biochemistry major

ecsmith@sewanee.edu

Spencer Hall 158, Ext. 1383

Pre-Health at Sewanee
Getting you on the right track

As a pre-health student, you’ll be surrounded by an environment of support and opportunity. Enriching curriculum, clinical internships, expansive advising, and a strong alumni network combine to create a solid foundation for your medical career. The structure of programs help ensure that you are well-prepared for your journey after Sewanee.

Learn More
Undergraduate Research
Scholarship Sewanee

Sewanee’s undergraduate research program gives students the opportunity to explore new ideas, sharpen their research skills, and get a head start on a career or graduate school. Almost a quarter of students here were involved in mentored research projects last year, in the sciences (of course)—but also in the arts, English, politics, and more. Students have the chance to wow their peers by giving talks and presenting posters during Scholarship Sewanee, the annual celebration of student scholarship and creativity.

Learn More
Sewanee-at-Yale
Top notch research

The Sewanee-at-Yale internship is an eight-week experience in biomedical research at the Yale Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine. Interns are placed in research laboratories, exposed to clinical settings, and get to see the day-to-day workings of a behavioral neuroscience research laboratory.

Learn more