Biochemistry and molecular biology encompasses the study of biological systems at the molecular level. These systems have the capacity to transform energy, to make cellular components, to sense their environments, to reproduce, and to regulate these molecular processes. The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program explores these aspects of biology using concepts and methods that have been adapted from chemistry, physics, and biology. Therefore, a firm grounding in these disciplines is central to success in this major.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program at Mills has generous laboratory facilities, and also uses equipment located in the Chemistry and Physics and the Biology Departments. These departments and their facilities are housed in the new Natural Sciences Building. Notable in the selection of equipment are a DNA sequencing apparatus, thermal cyclers for polymerase chain reactions, a digital gel imaging system, nucleic acid hybridization ovens, an ultraviolet (UV) wavelength cross-linker, a tabletop ultracentrifuge, UV-visible spectrophotometers, both gas-liquid and high-performance liquid chromatographs, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a fluorometer, and a 96-well plate reader. The Scheffler Bio-Imaging Center contains a Leica DMLR research-quality fluorescence microscope with both film-based and digital cameras, and a research-quality Nikon dissecting scope with phototube and camera. Standard laboratory equipment is also available, such as clinical and high-speed centrifuges and micro-centrifuges, bacterial cell shakers and incubators, electrophoresis equipment, dissecting and compound microscopes, and culturing facilities for embryos and algae.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program offers excellent preparation for graduate study in biochemistry and molecular biology, molecular genetics, developmental biology, and other newly emerging disciplines such as genomics and systems biology. It also provides valuable training for students wishing to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, and other health science professions. The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Committee, composed of biology and chemistry faculty members, administers this program and advises majors. Entering students considering this major are urged to take General Chemistry in their first year at Mills. Students wishing to pursue careers in research are further urged to obtain laboratory research experience; opportunities are available both on and off campus.

Note: To declare a major in biochemistry and molecular biology, a student must have completed General Biology (BIO 001 and BIO 002), General Chemistry (CHEM 017 and CHEM 018), and at least one semester of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 105). The grade average for these courses must be at least B-. Some exceptions may be made upon the recommendation of the program committee. Students required to declare a major before completing these courses may provisionally declare the major. The provisional declaration may be revoked if the student does not earn a B- average or better in these courses.