Biochemistry is concerned with the properties of substances, but only as they relate to living organisms. Generally, biochemists are interested in the parts of chemistry that directly affect life. Biochemistry also focuses on the functions of genetic material: DNA and various types of RNA that are coded to perform any number of tasks in the cell. Biochemistry is both a life science and a chemical science.
Biochemistry focuses on the study of life at the molecular level. It explores the chemistry of living organisms and the molecular basis for the processes that occur in living cells.
In chemistry and biochemistry, students will learn how the arrangements of atoms in chemical structures lead to their observed properties. They will use synthetic approaches to discover new chemical compounds that can impact in industries like pharmaceutical design and catalysis. Students will learn how to quantify the amounts and concentrations of chemicals in the environment in areas such as air, water, and soil quality.
