Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

You're invited! Spring Celebration & Awards Night

An event to honor you — our outstanding students, employees, supporters and friends — Tuesday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Eldorado At THE ROW in Reno.

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Holly Gatzke recognizing Extension's Living With Fire Program with the Outstanding Team Award.

LEARNING

Biochemistry & molecular biology

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. You'll unlock the secrets within cells.

Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Biotechnology

Earn a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Biotechnology. You'll graduate with two degrees and the theoretical knowledge, technical skills and real-world experience of a well-trained researcher.

B.S. + M.S. Degrees in Biotechnology

Biochemistry minor

Earn a minor in biochemistry. You'll develop a deeper understanding of the science behind all life and enjoy a curriculum that compliments virtually any life-science degree.

Minor in biochemistry

Master of Science in Biochemistry

The academic environment is lively and highly interactive, as represented by a diverse, interdisciplinary seminar program sponsored in conjunction with other related departments.

Master of Science in Biochemistry

Biochemistry students and faculty in greenhouse with research plants

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

The program of study includes lecture courses, laboratory rotations, journal club presentations and discussion groups, a qualifying written and oral examination, dissertation research and one or more semesters of teaching experience.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Start your application today

As a member of the Wolf Pack family and our department, you'll receive hands-on lab experiences, real-world community engagement opportunities and a science-based education that will set you up for success.

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EDUCATION

The major provides rigorous training suitable for medical school admissions, graduate study in biochemistry or graduate studies in any of the basic medical sciences. It is particularly well suited for students aspiring to M.D./Ph.D. programs. Some recent graduates have also gone on directly to industrial, academic, or research careers, or to law schools and graduate schools of business.

DISCOVERY

Biochemistry offers path to help reduce huge losses in potato industry

Massive losses in the United States' number one vegetable crop, potatoes is due to damage in the handling and storage of potatoes over the nine months of storage they generally undergo on their way to the supermarket as fresh potatoes or as potato chips or fries. A biochemistry approach that seeks to identify genetic characteristics of the wound healing process in potatoes has had success in a project led by Dylan Kosma. In his work, Kosma has identified the first transcription factors known to regulate deposition of components that make up the skin that forms during the wound healing process in potatoes.

Learn more about Kosma's research

ENGAGEMENT

Researchers teach community to grow, harvest and preserve cactus fruit

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is used as a food, forage and biofuel crop, but trustworthy, up-to-date information about the plant is limited. With support from the College's Experiment Station unit and in collaboration with the College's Extension unit, John Cushman is growing Opuntia behind the Extension office in Logandale. This is the first experiment there in many years. The large experiment garden is always open for self-guided tours. There, Moapa Valley High School students help researchers to harvest tuna, the fruits from Opuntia. The facility is also home to free workshops on safely harvesting and preserving tuna, which taste like a cross between a watermelon and a mango.