Private College Zone


Biochemists

Description
Research or study chemical composition and processes of living organisms that affect vital processes such as growth and aging to determine chemical actions and effects on organisms such as the action of foods, drugs, or other substances on body functions and tissues.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

  • Studies chemistry of living processes, such as cell development, breathing and digestion, and living energy changes, such as growth, aging, and death.
  • Prepares reports and recommendations based upon research outcomes.
  • Develops and tests new drugs and medications used for commercial distribution.
  • Analyzes foods to determine nutritional value and effects of cooking, canning, and processing on this value.
  • Cleans, purifies, refines, and otherwise prepares pharmaceutical compounds for commercial distribution.
  • Designs and builds laboratory equipment needed for special research projects.
  • Researches and determines chemical action of substances, such as drugs, serums, hormones, and food, on tissues and vital processes.
  • Isolates, analyzes, and identifies hormones, vitamins, allergens, minerals, and enzymes, and determines their effects on body functions.
  • Develops and executes tests to detect disease, genetic disorders, or other abnormalities.
  • Develops methods to process, store, and use food, drugs, and chemical compounds.
  • Examines chemical aspects of formation of antibodies and researches chemistry of cells and blood corpuscles.
  • Researches methods of transferring characteristics, such as resistance to disease, from one organism to another.

National Average Salary

$61,680.00/year

Important Abilities

   1. Inductive Reasoning
   2. Written Comprehension
   3. Written Expression
   4. Deductive Reasoning
   5. Information Ordering

General Work Activities

   1. Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
   2. Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
   3. Analyzing Data or Information
   4. Processing Information
   5. Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings

Important Skills

   1. Science
   2. Reading Comprehension
   3. Writing
   4. Critical Thinking
   5. Active Learning

Frequent Work Context

   1. Consequence of Error
   2. Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
   3. Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
   4. Indoors
   5. Frustrating Circumstances

Related Careers

Related Majors (A) Associate (B) Bachelors (C) Certificate (D) Doctor (M) Master

   No Related Major Found

Institutions Offering Related Majors

   No Institution Found

The majors and institutions listed here are based on the current information in our database. Please be aware this information may be subject to change. We strongly encourage you to consult with your career counselor.





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