Program Summary
Why study biochemistry at Samford? Biochemists like to refer to our discipline as the “central science.” This expresses our view that biochemistry overlaps with almost every other branch of science. The knowledge and skill that a student of biochemistry develops can be applied to problems from the subatomic scale to those found in the farthest reaches of the universe.
The chemistry and biochemistry department faculty are my second family. Every one of them has contributed to fostering a research atmosphere on the third floor of Propst Hall and continues to push me to develop essential skills as a scientist.Rebekah Brooks, 2014 U.S. Goldwater Scholar, graduate student, University of Pennsylvania (2015)
Objectives & Goals
Upon successful completion of a BS in biochemistry, a student will be well-prepared for graduate study, professional school, or positions in biotechnology industries.
Is This Program for Me?
Successful students in biochemistry enjoy the challenge of understanding how the physical world operates. They are persistent in pursuing their goals, and they pay attention to the often small but meaningful details of a project. They are able to function well in both solitary and collaborative activities.
What Makes Us Different?
Our department is small enough to provide personal attention to each student, yet large enough to offer the breadth of experience needed to prepare our students for their future endeavors. We provide a range of research opportunities in which students can become involved. Our facilities are modern and well-equipped.
Career Preparation
Our faculty are well-versed in the skills and knowledge that students will need to be successful in graduate studies in the chemical sciences. One of our faculty members has specific expertise in preparing students for medical, dental, or optometry school.
Career Opportunities
Among the careers being pursued by our graduates are researchers, physicians, dentists, pharmaceutical representatives, university and secondary educators, pharmacists, and lawyers.
Notable Alumni
Mary Elizabeth Anderson
Mary Elizabeth Anderson '01 was a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Experience Fellow in 1999 and 2000. Since then, she has earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at Pennsylvania State University and served on the chemistry faculty of Hope College, and now is an associate professor at Furman University. She recently was awarded an NSF RUI grant to support her research in materials science.
Danielle Bailey
Danielle Bailey '11 earned a Ph.D. in nanotechnology at Vanderbilt University.
Stephen Bailey
Stephen Bailey ’11 earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and quantitative methods at Vanderbilt University, where he was a National Institutes of Health Research Fellow. He now serves as a data scientist and analytics tools expert at Immuta.
Todd Honea
Todd Honea ’99 earned a D.M.D. at the University of Alabama and has a family dental practice in Westover, Alabama.
Marvin Leathers
Marvin Leathers '04, was a double-major in classics and biochemistry. He earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and was a Mellon Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the first author of a Science article that received considerable attention in the neurological science world– “In Monkeys Making Value-Based Decisions, LIP Neurons Encode Cue Salience and Not Action Value."
Alan Long
Alan Long ’95 earned an M.D. at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and founded Skin Diagnostics Group in Birmingham, Alabama, where he practices as a dermopathologist.
Rickie D. Moon
Rickie D. Moon '77 is an environmental scientist for Teledyne Brown Engineering in Huntsville, Ala. Moon earned undergraduate degrees in mathematics and chemistry and the master of science in environmental management in 1997. He and wife MaryAnn are active volunteers with both the Samford Alumni and Parent Associations and have hosted numerous Samford events in their home. The couple received the Alumni of the Year Award in 2012.
Marty Ready
Marty Ready ‘01 earned an M.S. in biochemistry at San Diego State University and a J.D. at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He now practices intellectual property law with the Wilson Elser firm in San Diego, California.
Joe Roberson
Joy Roberson ‘07 is a Project Manager at McCormick Foods
Walter Turner
Walter Turner '12 earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of Georgia and now serves as an assistant professor at Georgia Southern University.
