Biochemistry

Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. Biochemical processes give rise to the complexity of life.

A sub-discipline of both biology and chemistry, biochemistry can be divided in three fields; molecular genetics, protein science and metabolism. Over the last decades of the 20th century, biochemistry has through these three disciplines become successful at explaining living processes. Almost all areas of the life sciences are being uncovered and developed by biochemical methodology and research. Biochemistry focuses on understanding how biological molecules give rise to the processes that occur within living cells and between cells, which in turn relates greatly to the study and understanding of tissues, organs, and organism structure and function.

Biochemistry is closely related to molecular biology, the study of the molecular mechanisms by which genetic information encoded in DNA is able to result in the processes of life.

Much of biochemistry deals with the structures, functions and interactions of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, which provide the structure of cells and perform many of the functions associated with life. The chemistry of the cell also depends on the reactions of smaller molecules and ions. These can be inorganic, for example water and metal ions, or organic, for example the amino acids, which are used to synthesize proteins. The mechanisms by which cells harness energy from their environment via chemical reactions are known as metabolism. The findings of biochemistry are applied primarily in medicine, nutrition, and agriculture. In medicine, biochemists investigate the causes and cures of diseases. In nutrition, they study how to maintain health wellness and study the effects of nutritional deficiencies. In agriculture, biochemists investigate soil and fertilizers, and try to discover ways to improve crop cultivation, crop storage and pest control.

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Matching Biochemistry Colleges

The University of Texas at Austin

Four or more years; Public; $40,996 average out-state tuition; $11,752 average in-state tuition

University of California-San Diego

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Four or more years; Public; $38,757 average out-state tuition; $10,927 average in-state tuition

University of California-Los Angeles

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Four or more years; Public; $28,800 average out-state tuition; $10,710 average in-state tuition

University of California-Riverside

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Four or more years; Public; $37,161 average out-state tuition; $9,273 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Biochemistry Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
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Jewel Scholars Program - Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College

$27,000 Varies See Details
 

Jewel Scholars Program - Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College

award

$27,000

deadline

Varies
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Emmy Noether Award

Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

Up to $75,000 March 27, 2024 See Details
 

Emmy Noether Award

Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation

award

Up to $75,000

deadline

March 27, 2024
See Details
 

Big Bang Theory Graduate Fellowship-PAID

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

$20,000 May 01, 2024 See Details
 

Big Bang Theory Graduate Fellowship-PAID

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

award

$20,000

deadline

May 01, 2024
See Details
 

Bess Heflin Fellowship

University of Texas at Austin, Office of Graduate Studies

$19,000 Varies See Details
 

Bess Heflin Fellowship

University of Texas at Austin, Office of Graduate Studies

award

$19,000

deadline

Varies
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Willard L. Eccles Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Utah State University, College of Science

$18,000 Varies See Details
 

Willard L. Eccles Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Utah State University, College of Science

award

$18,000

deadline

Varies
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Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

Up to $15,000 Varies See Details
 

Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation

award

Up to $15,000

deadline

Varies
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SEI Native American Education Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

$10,000 Varies See Details
 

SEI Native American Education Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
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SEI Energy Women in Solar Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

$10,000 Varies See Details
 

SEI Energy Women in Solar Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
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EAGLES Scholarship - PSU

Portland State University

$10,000 Varies See Details
 

EAGLES Scholarship - PSU

Portland State University

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
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