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 both 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 fellow 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 job.

  • Clinical Research Coordinator, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
  • Ophthalmic Assistant, SERA, Chattanooga, TN.
  • Research Coordinator, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
GRADUATE SCHOOL & PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS: BIOCHEMISTRY MAJORS

Sewanee graduates enjoy extraordinary acceptance rates to top graduate and preprofessional 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 Pharmacy School.

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
Environmental Physiology and Biochemistry of Animals
Biology

An examination of the interaction between an animal's environment and the animal's physiology and biochemistry. Of special interest is how environmental change causes short-term adaptation and long-term evolutionary change in physiological and biochemical traits. The types of such changes that take place, and the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for them, are studied through comparison of animals found in various moderate and extreme environments. Laboratory course.

BIOL 350
Drug Design and Development
Chemistry

An examination of the fundamental chemical aspects associated with the process of discovering new drugs. Both combinatorial and rational drug design methodologies are addressed. Emphasis is on the application of various structure-based and mechanism-based strategies for drug optimization. Additional topics include pharmacokinetics (how drugs move within the body), metabolism of drugs, and pharmacodynamics (effect of drugs and their molecular mechanism of action)

CHEM 425
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Biochemistry

Programs of Study

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry

Requirements for the Minor in Biochemistry

Meet some professors

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, chair of biochemistry major
Elis Kikis
eakikis@sewanee.edu

Research in Elis 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.

Assistant Professor of Biology
Clint Smith
ecsmith@sewanee.edu

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

Assistant Professor of Biology

Contact

Bethel Sharma Seballos
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Director of Biochemistry Major

bvsharma@sewanee.edu

Spencer Hall 259, Ext. 1469

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 you journey after Sewanee.

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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.

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Career and Leadership Development
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No matter where you are in your career exploration process, Career and Leadership Development can help. You’ll get assistance with cover letters, resumes, networking, and preparing for an interview. Likewise, if you just feel overwhelmed by this new experience called adulting, swing by the office and get a pep talk from the CLD office.

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