Date:
4/14/2005
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University has established a new major in biochemistry beginning in the fall of 2005. The new degree leading to a bachelor of science is an interdisciplinary major designed to prepare students to enter either graduate school or the growing high-tech job markets in biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, and other areas combining chemistry and biology.
The curriculum is supported by modern scientific facilities in ENMU's Biological Structure-Function Core Facility, funded by National Institutes of Health BRIN/INBRe, and housed in Roosevelt Hall. Available facilities include cell culture, fermentation, protein FPLC, single and multidimensional electrophoresis, isotope counting, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and state-of-the-art imaging and microscopy.
According to Dr. Newton Hilliard, assistant professor of chemistry, biochemistry majors have opportunities for hands-on training in these facilities during both classroom and student research projects. Research training opportunities exist in areas ranging from proteomics to biological electron transfer. In addition, the biochemistry major is a part of the BS/MS "fast-track" program in chemistry. This program allows qualified students to acquire both the BS and MS degrees in a much shorter time than would occur in more traditional programs.
For more information, call Hilliard at 505.562.2463.