This unique program was designed for students who wish to explore the areas of science where biology and chemistry meet. Students who majored in chemistry and biology in high school will find it particularly appealing. During your 3 years of study, you will attend advanced courses in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and more, and receive a degree conferred by both faculties. After graduating in this program, you can continue to postgraduate studies either in Biology or in Chemistry.
Career Options
In recent years, we are seeing enormous leaps in the biotechnological and biomedical research and industry. One of the main reasons for this success is the growing integration between two major scientific fields – chemistry and biology. Many of the scientific breakthroughs and new technologies we are seeing today were only possible thanks to an understanding of biological processes on a molecular level. Scientists with a background in both chemistry and biology are in high demand in most biotech companies and in virtually every pharmaceutical company.
Graduates of the Molecular Biochemistry program will be able to choose from a wide variety of career fields: Research | Teaching | Chemical industry | Bioindustry | Biotech industry | Research institutions | Medical institutions | Drug development using technologies based on genetic engineering | Development of cutting-edge agricultural products. Graduates with a teaching certificate will be able to teach in secondary schools.
Program Overview and Areas of Specialization
The Faculties of Biology and Chemistry share the academic responsibility for the program. Students will attend courses given by both faculties.
The first two semesters are dedicated to expanding background knowledge in math, physics, chemistry, biology and computer science. In the following semesters, students will attend advanced courses in various fields of chemistry and biology. During the two final semesters, students may choose their areas of specialization and work in research labs of both faculties to gain practical experience in laboratory and research work.
Areas of Research
Academic staff and research students can focus their research on subjects more closely related to chemistry: Mechanisms of bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry | Heterocyclic compounds | Synthesis and enzymatic mechanisms | Catalytic antibodies | Anti-cancer agents | Nuclear magnetic resonance | Macromolecular crystallography; or subjects more closely related to biology: Cell biology | Biochemistry and bioenergetics | Genetics of microorganisms, plants and drosophila | Genetic engineering | Molecular biology | Biophysics | Study of membranes | Study of aging | Carcinogens | Developmental biology | Ecology.
A Molecular Biochemistry Student’s Story (Eyal Resnick)
“Before applying to the Technion, I had a hard time deciding whether to study Chemistry or Biology and was even considering a double degree. However, when I came to the Open Day, I learned about the Molecular Biochemistry program, which combines both subjects in a single three-year study program.
The study curriculum includes courses in both Chemistry and Biology and provides you with a strong base in both. Even though the study of each discipline is not as deep as it would have been if I’d been studying Biology or Chemistry alone, such broader learning has clear advantages. One of them is gaining broader knowledge which allows you to work or continue your studies in a wide variety of fields. That extensive knowledge base also lets you “import” solutions from one field to another, and to choose a career in the biotech industry or proceed to postgraduate studies in either of these disciplines.
Now, near the end of my studies, I started working in one of the Faculty of Chemistry’s research labs, and I’m planning to remain there during my Master studies. One of the things the lab is working on is the development of anti-cancer molecules, which involves aspects of both chemistry and biology.
Studying at the Technion is hard, but it’s totally worth it; it is and remains one of the best-rated universities in the world. To anyone who chooses to join the Molecular Biochemistry program, I want to say good luck and enjoy your studies!”
