Biochemistry involves the study of chemical processes in living organisms. It is a subject that is separate yet interlinked. It deals with the structures and functions of cellular components such as lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and other such biomolecules. Biochemistry, as a science, ultimately is aimed at understanding the nuances of the living world and the employment of the knowledge gained for the advantage of mankind as a whole. Over the last few decades, biochemistry has managed to escalate itself to peaks of importance in terms of being a discipline and a career option for interested individuals. This was mainly because biochemistry was triumphant in explaining complex living processes. Read on to know more about what it takes to become a biochemist, the career prospects that lie in becoming one, and the best institutes to graduate from as a biochemist.
Courses In Biochemistry
Eligibility
An individual in order to be eligible enough for a bachelor’s course in biochemistry should be done with high school (10 + 2) or an equivalent. The respective individual should compulsorily hail from the science stream. An individual in order to be eligible enough for a master’s degree in biochemistry should have against his/her name a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. In order to be eligible for a master’s in biochemistry from an institute of repute, the individual will be required to have a percentage of marks that will do justice to his/her application. The task of acquiring a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in biochemistry should be undertaken by only those individuals who are keen on gaining an insight into ‘life’ and its myriad processes. Individuals can also acquire a doctoral degree and a postdoctoral degree in biochemistry.
Details Of The Course
A degree in biochemistry, be it a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral will inevitably comprise a unique combination of theoretical subjects and practical subjects. Typically, a student aiming to become a biochemist will have to familiarize himself/herself with biophysical techniques and computer applications of the same. Courses will also include the study of biophysical techniques, bioorganic chemistry, enzymes and nutrition. Physiology, statistical methods, bioenergetics, biopolymers, microbiology, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology and biotechnology also make for the subjects that are a part of a course in biochemistry. The level of difficulty from subject to subject will increase as a student finishes his/her bachelor’s degree and goes on to acquire a master’s or a doctoral degree.
Specialization
Students desiring to pursue a career in biochemistry or individuals aspiring to become a biochemist can specialize in the fields of medicine, agriculture and nutrition. An individual specializing in medicine as a biochemist will have to carry out diagnostic tests and investigations for determining the causes for diseases. Individuals specializing in agriculture as biochemists will have to familiarize themselves with developing new and improved techniques for crop cultivation, pest control and crop storage management. Lastly, individuals specializing in the field of nutrition as biochemists will have to carry out research and study the effects of minerals, proteins, vitamins and fats.
Career Prospects
Over the past few years, the role of the ‘biochemist’ in society as a whole has only increased in significance. Both career prospects and employment opportunities for biochemists managed to take a positive turn with the increase of the significance of their role. Jobs are being put up for grabs by government organizations, hospitals and private medical institutions associated with research activities. Research activities include research carried out on the causes and occurrence of diseases that include the likes of AIDS and cancer. Biochemists can also find for themselves a steady job in pharmaceutical companies. Companies that revolve around agricultural research will be more than willing to hire a biochemist too. Biochemists with related degrees from respected institutions and adequate experience can even find jobs as professors in colleges of repute.
Some Of The Best Institutes Offering Courses In Biochemistry
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Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
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Harvard Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cambridge, United States of America
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Assam University, Silchar, India
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, United States of America
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Andhra University : College of Science and Technology, Vishakapatnam, India
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Delhi University, New Delhi, India
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Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, United States of America
