Mercer University’s biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) degree program has received full accreditation from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

The BMB program, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is an interdisciplinary major offered collaboratively through the Department of Chemistry and Department of Biology in which students apply the molecular concepts of chemistry to the complex processes that exist within living biological systems. Its seven-year accreditation began Jan. 1.

“Accreditation by the ASBMB is a significant recognition of the high caliber of our biochemistry and molecular biology program,” said Dr. Anita Olson Gustafson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “Our outstanding faculty deliver courses that are student-centered and academically rigorous. I am proud of their excellent work.”

In awarding accreditation, ASBMB recognized Mercer’s BMB program for its teaching expertise in both chemistry and biology, including a strong emphasis on pedagogy and a healthy instructor-to-student ratio. ASBMB also noted the program’s use of course-based undergraduate research experiences, known as CUREs, throughout the curriculum.

“Mercer’s BMB degree program meets the high expectations of the ASBMB in both educational quality and innovation. Accreditation also demonstrates the high caliber of the faculty within Mercer’s program,” said Dr. David Goode, director of the BMB program and associate professor of chemistry. “Students who graduate from Mercer’s program can be confident that their degree has well prepared them for any BMB career.

“Our program provides the fundamental concepts of BMB, the imperative critical reasoning skills, the necessary laboratory skills and valuable soft skills — communication, teamwork, safety and ethics — expected in both the scientific workplace and graduate/professional schools. Mercer’s BMB students now have the opportunity to gain certification of their degree through the ASBMB certification exam, which is only available to students in ASBMB-accredited programs.”

ASBMB accreditation is a national, independent, outcomes-based evaluation mechanism that recognizes excellence in Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree programs in biochemistry and molecular biology and related disciplines. Since 2013, ASBMB has granted accreditation to over 100 programs nationwide.