A male student in a white t-shirt and safety glasses leaning over a lab table to write in a notebook during a chemistry experiment.

Biochemistry

Our faculty help you gain hands-on research experience, connect with professionals in the sciences, and prepare for careers in healthcare, research and graduate study.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry Major at William Jewell

Graduates of William Jewell College with a major in biochemistry will have demonstrated fundamental biochemistry concepts, competency in a laboratory and the ability to conduct and evaluate meaningful research.

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Interests & Attributes:

  • Health and Human Services
  • Creative
  • Analytical

Goals for Student Learning

Graduating from William Jewell with a degree in biochemistry ensures you will have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of biochemistry in the areas of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, cellular metabolism, biological macromolecule structure/function and genetic principles.

Faculty will help you develop effective biochemical communication skills, including reading, writing and oral presentations. You will be competent in producing, recording and reporting laboratory data, as well as designing and conducting meaningful biochemical research.

Real Lab Experience

Biochemists need a laboratory to be successful. We’ve got seven undergraduate research labs led by faculty mentors and teams including biology and chemistry majors. We’ve got the latest equipment, including a 3D stereolithography printer, spectrometers (NMR, FTIR, UV/Vis, AAS), chromatographs (GC/FID, GC/MS), flow cytometry, a fluorescence microscope and molecular design workstations.

Portrait of John Zimmerman, wearing a light gray quarter-zip sweater in front of a red telephone booth.
Bennet Williams, a business student at William Jewell College wearing a black quarter-zip, speaking in a student spotlight video.
Roberto Ramirez Vazquez, a business student at William Jewell College wearing a cream sweatshirt, speaking in a testimonial video.
Major Walker, a civil engineering alumnus and field engineer wearing a tan vest and flannel shirt, speaking in front of a McCownGordon Construction banner.
Dalton Nelson, a mathematics and physics student at William Jewell College, smiling outdoors in front of a blurred city skyline.
Victoria Pascoe, a philosophy student at William Jewell College with long wavy hair wearing a dark blazer, speaking in a student spotlight video.
Derrick Ampofo, a biology student at William Jewell College, wearing a white lab coat, safety goggles, and protective gloves in a research laboratory.
Hrithika Bhugvandeen smiling in a black graduation cap and gown, wearing a white "Student Athlete" stole and multiple honor cords outside a brick campus building.
Caio Cavarsan, an international student from Brazil, smiling in a blue suit and black tie with an orange rose boutonniere.
Manny Macias, a nursing student at William Jewell College wearing a white lab coat with a red nursing ribbon, smiling while seated on an outdoor bench.

John Zimmerman

As a double major in accounting and business, John also played basketball and was named the Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was hired as an Audit Associate at Deloitte in Kansas City and now serves as Audit and Assurance In Charge.

Accounting Major

Bennett Williams, O'Fallon

Bennett shares his experience in Jewell's business program, which led to a job as a recruiter in Atlanta. He also majored in nonprofit leadership and ACT-In, was a member of the Cardinal soccer team and president of his fraternity.

Williams – Business

Listen to My Full Story

Roberto Ramirez Vazquez, Kansas City

Roberto talks about his experience as a business major and first-generation student. He completed an internship at Commerce Bank and was hired as a talent sourcing specialist at FORVIS.

Vazquez – Business

Listen to My Full Story

Alumnus Major Walker shares about his role as a field engineer with McCownGordon Construction.

Walker from Dallas, Texas

Pillsbury Scholar Dalton Nelson

Mathematics Major And Physics Minor Meet Dalton Nelson, a senior in the dual-degree engineering program. He helped two professors conduct a summer science camp for underserved children in Marfa, Texas, and practiced astronomy at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz. He plans to further his studies in biomedical engineering.

Nelson – Mathematics & Physics

Victoria Pascoe

Victoria shares how Jewell faculty helped tailor her major to psychology major to prepare her to work with children who have experienced trauma.

Pascoe – Psychology

Listen to My Full Story

My time at William Jewell College has shaped not only what I want to study, but also how I approach learning and leadership. Through my experiences in research, service and coursework, I’ve learned how to connect what I study to real-world impact. That perspective has prepared me for the next step in my journey toward becoming a physician-scientist.

Derrick, from Kumasi, Ghana

Psychology and History major

My Jewell experience was incredibly valuable in so many ways, but most of all, I was afforded the opportunity to learn and thrive in an environment that nurtured my passions and goals. I was provided an abundance of skills and knowledge that have enabled me to confidently take the first steps in my career as a registered behavioral technician.

Hrithika from Birmingham, United Kingdom

Caio, physics major; Ph.D. biomedical physics student

I am passionate about applying physics to advance healthcare—particularly in radiation oncology, proton therapy, and clinical dosimetry—while also contributing to scientific education and mentorship. I held leadership roles as president of Mortar Board honor society and the Society of Physics Students. I led community engagement initiatives, organized physics outreach events, and coordinated a national research conference trip. As a collegiate swimmer, I learned discipline, resilience, and effective time management—attributes I carry into research and clinical practice.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mindset over Major

Now a critical team manager at a Kansas City hospital, Manny reflects on what made the Accelerated Track Nursing experience at Jewell stand out.

Accelerated Nursing

Listen to My Full Story

Beyond Jewell

You may decide to go on to graduate school like many chemistry and biochemistry majors or pursue a career right away. You also may complete training at Jewell for teaching in secondary education. Whatever direction you choose, you will have a strong foundation in the sciences and liberal arts.

Faculty

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Find Your Place at William Jewell

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Pryor Learning Commons and Marston Hall framed by purple spring blossoms and students walking along the pathway.
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