Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Class of 2026)

The study of biology furnishes insights into our species, our selves and the world of which we are a part. We humans have a fascination for other organisms and the very phenomenon of life. Biology provides us the tools to address questions ranging from how these organisms function at the molecular level to how they interact at the ecological level. Biology is an exciting, expanding discipline offering a broad and advancing frontier between the known and the undiscovered, with a variety of sub-disciplines that span the molecular to organismal to ecological levels of understanding. It is a gateway to diverse and satisfying careers and it provides insights and ways of thinking critical to each individual in society.

Franklin & Marshall’s biology program, with required and elective courses in biology as well as courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics, provides students with a firm scientific foundation and enough flexibility to accommodate individual interests. The range of these interests is reflected in the many paths biology majors follow after graduation, with or without further education.

The Biology Department at Franklin & Marshall is made up of diverse and broadly trained faculty members whose research informs their teaching. As befits biology’s place in the contemporary world, courses and research provide links to many other disciplines, including chemistry, psychology, physics, mathematics, environmental science, computer science, and public policy. The department participates in several interdisciplinary programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Biological Foundations of Behavior (Neuroscience and Animal Behavior), Earth and Environmental Science, Environmental Studies and Public Health.

The central goal of the Biology curriculum is to provide students with the essential research and analytical thinking skills needed by practicing biologists and, indeed, by all citizens in a democratic society. Critical reading of journal articles is an important feature of courses. Beginning in introductory courses, laboratory activities often involve student-designed investigative projects. In more advanced courses, students have access to sophisticated instruments and may spend the entire semester conducting a research project. In addition to learning to design, conduct, and analyze scientific research, students learn essential communication skills as they convey their results in written, spoken, and poster form. These activities lead many students to intensive research experiences during the summer or academic year, under the mentorship of faculty members.