Career Opportunities
Careers span the full range of the chemical and biological sciences, with exceptional opportunities in
- pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
- biotechnology
- genetic engineering
- bio-fuels
- forensics
- health sciences
Biomolecular science graduates will also be well-prepared for continued study in the health sciences, including medical, dental and veterinary medicine. Students interested in a career in an academic setting are well-equipped for the advanced study necessary for teaching in primary and secondary education, or for obtaining a PhD to teach and continue research in a university setting.
Curriculum
Major
The biomolecular science program is composed of 84 of the 120 required credits for a bachelor's degree. This leaves 36 credits available for student electives and the Clarkson Common Experience curriculum.
Minors
Looking to take your education a step further? Check out our list of minors to complement your biomolecular science degree.
Ana Witkowski, Biomolecular Science undergraduate student
Research Opportunities
Students have access to research laboratories throughout their undergraduate experience, and because Clarkson offers graduate degrees in chemistry, students work alongside experienced graduate students, becoming valued members of the professor's research group. Invariably, alumni tell us that time spent with the faculty in research turns out to be the most important learning experience of their college career.
Internship and Co-op Opportunities
On Campus
Chemistry & Biomolecular Science (CBS) and Biology research faculty offer summer internships in their research laboratories to undergraduate students demonstrating interest and ability. Students gain invaluable experience working under the tutelage of professors, experienced graduate students and post-doctoral research associates.
Support and funding for on-site summer research experiences:
David A. Walsh '67 Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship: Awarded to support a summer research experience within the Department of Chemistry & Biomolecular Science (CBS). The recipient will be an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry and/or Biomolecular Science who will be returning to Clarkson for at least one full semester. Provides stipend, housing and research materials.
During the summer, Honors Program students can apply to conduct project work in their field of study with the support of a faculty mentor. Depending on the program chosen, the Honors Program can provide on-campus housing, meal support and, in some circumstances, a stipend. <Link to Honors Program for more information>
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this is a 10-week summer research program to engage a diverse group of undergraduate students in first-class research projects.
Off-site
With the assistance of their student advisors, students often seek out and obtain valuable and field-relevant work experience away from the Clarkson University campuses with internships in a variety of settings, such as the following:
Medical environments (University of Massachusetts-School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), other colleges and universities, independent labs and research facilities (Trudeau Institute, Strong Memorial Hospital Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Swift Laboratories), and privately owned industries (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, Mylan Technologies Inc., Procter & Gamble, Corning, Beckman Laser Institute).
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Other universities also host REU programs, and Clarkson Biomolecular Science students may have the opportunity to attend an REU program at Cornell, Columbia, Syracuse, Binghamton, or Boston University or Boston College, among others.
