2008 Woodie Awards
Birth of a biochem major
New prof makes major possible for class of 2011
Andy Anderson
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
By next summer, students will see biochemistry classes listed in the Hillsdale College catalog and, by 2011, the college may graduate biochemistry majors.
The chemistry department is beginning to create a biochemistry major. Aimed primarily at students focused on pre-professional fields of study, such as pre-medical or pre-dental, this major is completely new to Hillsdale.
The new major, which has been a goal of the department for a while, is now possible because of a recent addition to Hillsdale faculty: Christopher Hamilton.
Armed with a Ph. D. in chemistry and biochemistry and experience in researching mitochondrial DNA replication, Hamilton is the key to developing the new curriculum structure and getting courses ready in time.
"I would like to see students that are freshmen this year be able to graduate with a biochemistry major," Hamilton said. "And I think the chemistry department is on track for that to happen."
Dean of Natural Sciences Chris Van Orman feels the same.
"We wanted a true biochemist in the chemistry department before approaching the new
major," Van Orman said.
Now that Hillsdale's chemistry department has a biochemist, everything is right on track to begin a biochemistry major.
As the lead faculty member on the project, Hamilton foresees several necessary class additions, including another semester of biochemistry, a semester of biophysics and a supporting lab.
That is exciting news for biology majors like freshman Kate Israel.
"Yeah! I'm going pre-med and those are definitely foundations I'll need," Israel said.
Even students that are undecided in their choice of major, like sophomore Erin Tabor, can appreciate what the sciences bring to campus.
"I think it's great for the college," Tabor said. "This can offer something for people that usually might have to go elsewhere."
Van Orman is eager and supportive as well.
He said that if all the details can be ironed out this fall, then the plan to officially add biochemistry as a new major will be ready to be presented to the college Education Policies Committee.
The EPC is a compilation of representatives from every field of study across campus that reviews academic proposals before seeking their approval from all Hillsdale faculty
"Any changes in a course have to go through [the EPC]," Van Orman said.
If the committee chooses to proceed with the new major, Hillsdale faculty will make the final decision to approve or disapprove it.
There is a great deal of work to be done on this project before the spring semester, but none of it would have been set in motion were it not for Hamilton.
"[Hamilton] brings to our department a connection to biology that we in the chemistry department haven't had before," Van Orman said. "The possibility of working on a biochemistry major is exciting for students and is worth talking about."
The chemistry department is beginning to create a biochemistry major. Aimed primarily at students focused on pre-professional fields of study, such as pre-medical or pre-dental, this major is completely new to Hillsdale.
The new major, which has been a goal of the department for a while, is now possible because of a recent addition to Hillsdale faculty: Christopher Hamilton.
Armed with a Ph. D. in chemistry and biochemistry and experience in researching mitochondrial DNA replication, Hamilton is the key to developing the new curriculum structure and getting courses ready in time.
"I would like to see students that are freshmen this year be able to graduate with a biochemistry major," Hamilton said. "And I think the chemistry department is on track for that to happen."
Dean of Natural Sciences Chris Van Orman feels the same.
"We wanted a true biochemist in the chemistry department before approaching the new
major," Van Orman said.
Now that Hillsdale's chemistry department has a biochemist, everything is right on track to begin a biochemistry major.
As the lead faculty member on the project, Hamilton foresees several necessary class additions, including another semester of biochemistry, a semester of biophysics and a supporting lab.
That is exciting news for biology majors like freshman Kate Israel.
"Yeah! I'm going pre-med and those are definitely foundations I'll need," Israel said.
Even students that are undecided in their choice of major, like sophomore Erin Tabor, can appreciate what the sciences bring to campus.
"I think it's great for the college," Tabor said. "This can offer something for people that usually might have to go elsewhere."
Van Orman is eager and supportive as well.
He said that if all the details can be ironed out this fall, then the plan to officially add biochemistry as a new major will be ready to be presented to the college Education Policies Committee.
The EPC is a compilation of representatives from every field of study across campus that reviews academic proposals before seeking their approval from all Hillsdale faculty
"Any changes in a course have to go through [the EPC]," Van Orman said.
If the committee chooses to proceed with the new major, Hillsdale faculty will make the final decision to approve or disapprove it.
There is a great deal of work to be done on this project before the spring semester, but none of it would have been set in motion were it not for Hamilton.
"[Hamilton] brings to our department a connection to biology that we in the chemistry department haven't had before," Van Orman said. "The possibility of working on a biochemistry major is exciting for students and is worth talking about."
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