Special Project: CAREERS

Jessica Tiffin
Physics, 8
th
period
Career: Biochemistry

1
HISTORY

Biochemistry is the study of chemical substances and processes that occur
in plants, animals, and microorganisms and of the changes they undergo
during development and life. It began in the period from about 1650 to
1780, starting with the work of Robert Boyle and culminating in that of
Antione-Laurent Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry. The name
Biochemistry was coined in 1903 by a German chemist named Carl
Neuberg. By controlling information flow through biochemical signalling
and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical
processes give rise to the incredible complexity of life. Much of
biochemistry deals with the structures and functions of cellular
components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other
biomolecules; although, processes rather than individual molecules are
quickly becoming the main area of focus. Over the last 40 years
biochemistry has become so successful at explaining living processes that
now almost all areas of the life sciences from botany to medicine are
engaged in biochemical research. Today the main focus of pure
biochemistry is in understanding how biological molecules give rise to the
processes that occur within living cells which in turn relates greatly to the
study and understanding of whole organisms.

2
NATURE OF WORK

Biochemists are mainly engaged in research related to the fields of
medicine, agriculture, and nutrition.


Biochemists identify chemical changes in cells and body organs which
signal the advent of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, or mental
disorders. Such study is also useful for understanding brain function,
metabolism, physiological adaptation etc. Common characteristics such
as obesity can find its origin in heredity.

The work of biochemists is generally carried on in clean, quiet, and
modern laboratories. They work with chemical substances and use
equipment such as the electron microscope. The job may require travel
and interaction with professionals from other fields which are related to
research work.







3







EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Ultimately for biochemistry, the basic calculus, physics, biology, and
chemistry are required. An undergraduate bachelors degree will qualify
the graduate for positions such as research assistant, inspector or
technical sales representative. The skills of mathematics and interest in
biological or chemical sciences are essential. For research, it relies on
computers and medical technologies. It is good to have skills in computer
science and technology. There is no state or federal requirement for
licensing to work as a pure biochemist, unless the job itself carries a
certification requirement, such as a radiologist technician.


Degree and postgraduate courses are available in a wide range of
subjects like
biochemistry
molecular biology
cell and molecular biology
chemical and molecular biology
microbiology
genetics
biopharmaceuticals
biotechnology.

4

PROJECTED COURSE SEQUENCE OF CAREER CHOICE

1
st
year 2
nd
year 3
rd
year
FALL
MAT1320 or
MAT1330
6 course credits
from:
BIO1109 (register
for this course if 4U
Biology not
completed) *
BIO1130
CHM1311 (or
CHM1301 if 4U
Chemistry not
completed)
CSI1306 or CSI1308
or CSI1390 or
ITI1120
1

GEO1115
MAT1341
PHY1121 or
PHY1321 (or
PHY1331 if 4U
Physics not
completed)
3 elective course
credits offered by
the Faculty of Arts,
Faculty of
Education, Faculty
of Law, Faculty of
Social Sciences or
the Telfer School of
Management
3 elective course
6 optional course
credits in
biochemistry
(BCH), biology
(BIO),
biopharmaceutical
science (BPS),
chemistry (CHM),
environmental
science (EVS),
geology (GEO),
mathematics
(MAT) or physics
(PHY)
3 elective course
credits offered by
the Faculty of Arts,
Faculty of
Education, Faculty
of Law, Faculty of
Social Sciences or
the Telfer School of
Management
6 elective course
credits
9 optional course
credits at the 3000
or 4000 level in
biochemistry
(BCH), biology
(BIO),
biopharmaceutical
science (BPS),
chemistry (CHM),
environmental
science (EVS),
geology (GEO),
mathematics
(MAT) or physics
(PHY)
6 elective course
credits

5
credits
WINTER
MAT1322 or
MAT1332
6 course credits
from:
BIO1140
CHM1321
EVS1101
GEO1111
ITI1121
MAT1348
PHY1122 or
PHY1322
3 elective course
credits offered by
the Faculty of Arts,
Faculty of
Education, Faculty
of Law, Faculty of
Social Sciences or
the Telfer School of
Management
3 elective course
credits
6 optional course
credits in:
biochemistry
(BCH), biology
(BIO),
biopharmaceutical
science (BPS),
chemistry (CHM),
environmental
science (EVS),
geology (GEO),
mathematics
(MAT) or physics
(PHY)
3 elective course
credits offered by
the Faculty of Arts,
Faculty of
Education, Faculty
of Law, Faculty of
Social Sciences or
the Telfer School of
Management
6 elective course
credits
6 optional course
credits at the 3000
or 4000 level in
biochemistry
(BCH), biology
(BIO),
biopharmaceutical
science (BPS),
chemistry (CHM),
environmental
science (EVS),
geology (GEO),
mathematics
(MAT) or physics
(PHY)
9 elective course
credits
Number
of credits
per year
30 credits 30 credits 30 credits
Total
program
credits
90 credits

6

SALARY/ EARNINGS

The annual salary for someone with the job title Biochemist I may vary
depending on a number of factors including industry, company size,
location, years of experience and level of education.
The median wage in 2013 for Biochemists and Biophysicists in California
was $87,155 annually, or $41.90 hourly. The median is the point at which
half of the workers earn more and half earn less.












7





PRESENT EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

In California, an average of 250 new job openings per year is expected for
Biochemists and Biophysicists, plus an additional 140 job openings due to
net replacement needs, resulting in a total of 390 job openings.


8
RELATED PROFESSIONS

In the pharmaceutical, food or brewing industries, your work would be
developing new products
monitoring production
quality control
checking the safety of existing products.

In a hospital, public health laboratory or research institute, you would be
doing..
carrying out tests on blood and other bodily fluids
researching the causes of disease
exploring new methods of treatment.

In agriculture and the environment, you could work with water
authorities, seed companies or local and central government. Your main
duties are.
genetically engineering plants to create pest-resistant crops
improving the quantity of crops
developing and extending the shelf life of produce
monitoring the effects of pollution on the environment.






9






SUMMARY

As a biochemist you would investigate the chemical processes that take
place inside all living things from viruses and bacteria to people. If you
are interested in the natural world and would enjoy looking at life at a
smaller, molecular level then, this could be a job someone would enjoy.
You will need a high level of skill and ability in science and be good at
solving problems. Working accurately and having an eye for detail will
help you carry out work like exploring samples under a microscope. To
become a biochemist you will need to have a relevant degree. I believe
that I would highly enjoy the career. I love chemistry, math, and physics. I
also always have wanted to go into medical. I could work in the
pharmaceutical field with my degree. I could possibly create medicines to
eliminate cancer. I have been accepted to Mississippi State University
where I will study biochemistry.


10
BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Biochemist Job Information | National Careers Service
_tag.DCSext.LoggedIn=0;." Biochemist Job Information. Web. 12
May 2014.

Moore, John T., and Richard Langley. Biochemistry for Dummies.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub., 2008. Print.

Dandekar, S. P. Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry. Nashik,
Maharashtra India: Career, 2002. Print.