Amherst College

What you'll study

Coursework covers fundamental topics such as molecular biology, enzymology, structural biology, physical chemistry and quantitative methods (e.g., biophysical techniques and data analysis). Students engage in laboratory courses that teach experimental design, instrumentation and bench skills, and many programs encourage or require an independent research project or senior thesis to develop experimental independence and scientific communication.

Entry requirements

Admitted students generally have strong preparation in high-school chemistry and mathematics and, where available, introductory biology. At the college level, students typically begin with foundational courses in general chemistry, introductory biology and calculus or statistics before moving into upper-level biochemistry and biophysics offerings. Departments also value demonstrated laboratory experience and strong quantitative reasoning.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of paths: research and development in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, graduate study (PhD) in biological, chemical or biophysical sciences, professional programs such as medicine or dentistry, and roles in patent law, scientific publishing, policy or education. The combination of experimental skill and quantitative background also suits careers in data-rich or interdisciplinary environments.

Scholarships & funding angle

Undergraduate funding options commonly include institutional need-based aid, merit scholarships (where available), and college-supported summer research stipends or paid lab positions. External opportunities include national fellowships for research experiences and discipline-specific scholarships; students should also explore paid internships with industry or government labs. For research, many departments offer small grants or assistantships to support senior thesis projects.