The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program (BMB) at Rhodes College has received accreditation by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Founded in 1906, ASBMB is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with more than 12,000 members.
Rhodes is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, but accreditation by ASBMB affirms that its biochemistry and molecular biology program fulfills or exceed national standards, and it provides Rhodes students the opportunity to be awarded an ASBMB-certified degree upon successful completion of a scored examination.
“This will make our future graduates more competitive among admissions and employment applicant pools,” says Dr. Loretta Jackson-Hayes, director of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program. “A majority of accredited programs are at larger universities, and the small number of accredited programs at liberal arts colleges are at some of the top liberal arts institutions including Wellesley College and Smith College. Being designated an ASBMB accredited program will make Rhodes even more attractive to the top prospective students aspiring to study STEM.”
After its rigorous review, ASBMB indicated Rhodes as being noteworthy in the following areas:
- Classroom facilities
- Professional development for faculty including grants for research and course development, mentoring, and sabbatical leave
- Inquiry components that include 1:1 mentored research, as well as internal and external research opportunities
- High percentage of students who participate in external research internships
- Commitment to diversity
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program accreditation is through Oct. 14, 2024. Rhodes faculty who served on the BMB program committee include Professors Terry Hill, Larryn Peterson, Loretta Jackson-Hayes (current chair), and Mary Miller (immediate past program chair). “Both Professor Miller’s vision for our program and her ability to clearly articulate the comprehensive educational experience Rhodes BMB provides students guided us to this transformative moment in the life of our program,” says Jackson-Hayes.
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Students in a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Methods Course Offered This Semester
Learn more about the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program here.