Biochemistry Degree Coming to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The Department of Chemistry and Physics at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will be offering a new bachelor’s degree in biochemistry beginning in the Fall 2016 semester. Dr. Grant Wangila, interim chair of the department of is overjoyed to be part of starting the new degree track for undergraduate students. This program is an eye opener for those who have interests in many disciplines, including health professions, biomedical research, agricultural research and the pharmaceutical sciences.

“Biochemistry is a very fascinating subject and is the basis of the health sciences,” Dr. Wangila said. “This new major is the best preparation for students who wish to pursue research careers in the biomedical sciences or careers as health professionals. I am looking forward to seeing the program grow at UAPB.”

Dr. Richard Walker, a professor in Chemistry and Physics department exclaimed, “I’m very excited about the new biochemistry major at UAPB. My undergraduate major at the University of Southern California was biochemistry. I could see even at that time that having a biochemistry degree would enable me to attend graduate schools in chemistry, biology or any of the biomedical sciences, as well as professional schools.”

About the Biochemistry Discipline

The first of its kind for the institution, biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science that involves the application of methods and theories of chemistry to the study of biological phenomena. An undergraduate major in biochemistry prepares you for a variety of careers in industry, education, public service, and the health professions, or for graduate study and research in biochemistry, molecular biology, and many related fields. Chemistry helps to explain how the structure of organic molecules relates to their chemical reactions and how this can be employed usefully in the many applications whereas biology explores living organisms, studying how they function at a molecular and cellular level, through studying genetics and the immune system. Studying these disciplines help to develop analytical skills to interpret graphical and numerical data. For example, the fascination by many on how our bodies adapt to fighting disease, and learning about the non-specific and specific immune responses that enable it to do so. Although they are equipped with such an elegant defense mechanisms, our bodies still fail to combat many of these pathogens. This is where drugs can help, and this makes it most imperative to study a biochemistry course.

Those interested in learning more about the biochemistry degree track can contact Dr. Wangila at (870) 575-8382 or wangilag@uapb.edu.