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You're invited! Spring Celebration & Awards Night, Tuesday, May 6

An event to honor you — our outstanding students, employees and supporters — Tuesday, May 6, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Eldorado At THE ROW in Reno.

Learn more and register to attend
Holly Gatzke recognizing Extension's Living With Fire Program with the Outstanding Team Award.

Nevada Field Day & Ag Expo

2-6 p.m., Friday, May 30, 2025 Free & Open to the Public

group touring greenhouse complex

LEARNING

Biochemistry students in lab

Biochemistry & molecular biology

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. You'll unlock the secrets within cells.

Bachelor's Degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biotechnology student in lab

Biotechnology

Earn a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Biotechnology. You'll graduate with two degrees and the theoretical knowledge, technical skills and real-world experience of a well-trained researcher.

B.S. + M.S. Degrees in Biotechnology
Biochemistry student in lab

Biochemistry minor

Earn a minor in biochemistry. You'll develop a deeper understanding of the science behind all life and enjoy a curriculum that compliments virtually any life-science degree.

Minor in biochemistry
Biochemistry students in lab

Master of Science in Biochemistry

The academic environment is lively and highly interactive, as represented by a diverse, interdisciplinary seminar program sponsored in conjunction with other related departments.

Master of Science in Biochemistry
Biochemistry students and faculty in greenhouse with research plants

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

The program of study includes lecture courses, laboratory rotations, journal club presentations and discussion groups, a qualifying written and oral examination, dissertation research and one or more semesters of teaching experience.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

Start your application today

As a member of the Wolf Pack family and our department, you'll receive hands-on lab experiences, real-world community engagement opportunities and a science-based education that will set you up for success.

Apply Now

EDUCATION

student at computer

The major provides rigorous training suitable for medical school admissions, graduate study in biochemistry or graduate studies in any of the basic medical sciences. It is particularly well suited for students aspiring to M.D./Ph.D. programs. Some recent graduates have also gone on directly to industrial, academic, or research careers, or to law schools and graduate schools of business.

DISCOVERY

kosma working in greenhouse of potatoes

Biochemistry offers path to help reduce huge losses in potato industry

Massive losses in the United States' number one vegetable crop, potatoes is due to damage in the handling and storage of potatoes over the nine months of storage they generally undergo on their way to the supermarket as fresh potatoes or as potato chips or fries. A biochemistry approach that seeks to identify genetic characteristics of the wound healing process in potatoes has had success in a project led by Dylan Kosma. In his work, Kosma has identified the first transcription factors known to regulate deposition of components that make up the skin that forms during the wound healing process in potatoes.

Learn more about Kosma's research

ENGAGEMENT

Teens harvesting prickly pear cactus

Researchers teach community to grow, harvest and preserve cactus fruit

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is used as a food, forage and biofuel crop, but trustworthy, up-to-date information about the plant is limited. With support from the College's  unit and in collaboration with the College's  unit, John Cushman is growing Opuntia behind the Extension office in Logandale. This is the . The large is always open for self-guided tours. There, Moapa Valley High School students , the fruits from Opuntia. The facility is also home to on safely harvesting and preserving tuna, which taste like a cross between a watermelon and a mango.

In the News

A student outside a door labeled "insectary."

Grads of the Pack: Elizabeth Walsh

April 24, 2025

Biochemistry doctoral graduate Elizabeth Walsh was selected as a 2024 AAAS Mass Media Fellow. Here she shares her experiences in the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science and advice for scientists interested in science communication.

Two men stand outside of a brick building.

Two University of Nevada, Reno professors earn prestigious AAAS fellowships

April 01, 2025

Steve Vander Wall and Bob Ryan add to list of University professors with this accolade

A person stands smiling in front of a research poster about Parkinson's disease at a University of Nevada, Reno event. The poster includes charts, graphs, and text detailing a scientific study.

Chasing answers: My journey into Parkinson’s disease research

March 17, 2025

Undergraduate researcher Anirudh Praveen explores complexities of brain aging and neurodegenerative disease

Departmental events

May 02
12:00 PM Academic Lectures and Seminars
May 06
04:00 PM
May 30
02:00 PM Community Outreach

CABNR Student Emergency Fund

Help provide students with critical support needed to continue their University education, despite facing unexpected challenges associated with COVID-19 or other emergencies.