Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Colleges award this field under 10 named programs, from Biochemistry to Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 10 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Biochemistry
- Focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Covers bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.
- Biophysics
- Focuses on the application of physics principles to the scientific study of the mechanisms of biological processes and assemblies at all levels of complexity. Covers research methods and equipment operation and applications to subjects such as bioenergetics, biophysical theory and modeling, electrophysics, membrane biology, channels, receptors and transporters, contractility and muscle function, protein shaping and folding, molecular and supramolecular structures and assemblies, and computational science.
- Molecular Biology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules and the role of molecular constituents and mechanisms in supramolecular assemblies and cells. Covers such topics as molecular signaling and transduction, regulation of cell growth, enzyme substrates and mechanisms of enzyme action, DNA-protein interaction, and applications to fields such as biotechnology, genetics, cell biology, and physiology.
- Molecular Biochemistry
- Focuses on the scientific relationship of physiological function to the structure and actions of macromolecules and supramolecular assemblies such as multienzyme complexes, membranes, and viruses. Covers the chemical mechanisms of regulation and catalysis, protein synthesis and other syntheses, and biomolecular chemical reactions.
- Molecular Biophysics
- Focuses on the dynamics and interactions of macromolecules and other three-dimensional ultrastructures, the architecture of supramolecular structures, and energy transfer in biomolecular systems. Covers energy transduction, structural dynamics, mechanisms of electron and proton transfer in biological systems, bioinformatics, automated analysis, and specialized research techniques.
- Structural Biology
- Focuses on the scientific study of submolecular and molecular components and assemblies of living systems and how they are organized into functional units such as cells and anatomic tissues. Covers glycoprotein, carbohydrate, protein, and nucleic acid structures and chemistry; cytoskeletal structure; nuclear and intracellular structures; molecular recognition; molecular chaperones; transcription and folding; multicellular organization; microtubules and microfilaments; cell differentiation; immunophysics; and DNA sequencing.
- Photobiology
- Focuses on the scientific study of the effects of light energy on living organisms, the manufacture and processing of luminescence by organisms, and the uses of light in biological research. Covers bioluminescence, chronobiology, photomedicine, environmental photobiology, organic photochemistry, photomorphogenesis, photoreceptors and photosensitization, molecular mechanics of photosynthesis, phototechnology, vision, ultraviolet radiation, radiation physics, and spectral research methods.
- Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
- Focuses on the effects of radiation on organisms and biological systems. Covers particle physics, ionization, and biophysics of radiation perturbations, cellular and organismic repair systems, genetic and pathological effects of radiation, and the measurement of radiation dosages.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Study that combines the biological sub-disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology. Covers general biology, general and organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, and cellular biology.
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
- Biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology not listed above.
Also called Comparative Biochemistry
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.2%
- Job openings a year
- 9,200
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $84,620
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.3%
- Job openings a year
- 4,700
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastMedical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
- Median pay
- $103,410
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.6%
- Job openings a year
- 10,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyBiological Scientists, All Other
- Median pay
- $98,920
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.7%
- Job openings a year
- 4,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastBiochemists and Biophysicists
- Median pay
- $127,410
- Hiring change through 2035
- 12.3%
- Job openings a year
- 2,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingBiological Technicians
- Median pay
- $57,510
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 9,400
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyFood Science Technicians
- Median pay
- $52,130
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 3,000
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career GrowingMicrobiologists
- Median pay
- $87,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $30,485 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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