Major Ad Alert!

Hala Jaber

Staff Writer

Standing in the lab, my back hunched and my eyes over a microscope, I peer into the lives of a bajillion little cells.

An expanse of tiny, complex worlds, each one bursting with activity— such intricate activity, unseen by the naked eye.

As I peer over the cells, I can’t help but think “why wouldn’t anyone want to be a science major?” More specifically, why wouldn’t anyone want to be a biotechnology and molecular biology major?

See, this is the field where curiosity meets purpose. Both in the lab and in the classroom, I find myself digging into the smallest building blocks of life, understanding the ways of molecules and cells, and using that knowledge to not only fuel innovation, but make it better.

Biotechnology is shaping our future in ways we’re only beginning to understand, and you, too, can be a part of it.

Just imagine being the one to develop a life-saving drug, or design a bacterium that can clean up plastic pollution, or even engineer crops to withstand extreme climates! That’s the kind of impact you can have in this field.

It’s not just about learning how life works; it’s why it works and how to make it work for the better. What I see in my studies, in my textbooks and in the lab, serve as the foundation to this transformation.

As I work through experiments, creating and testing hypotheses, manipulating variables and analyzing data, I see firsthand how every tiny advancement can lead to progress, and monumental progress at that.

Additionally, there’s the sheer thrill of getting to witness something truly awesome. In biotechnology and molecular biology, there are moments when the science feels almost magical, like the cells I saw under the microscope, or the intricate anatomy of tiny flies, or even the complex engineering that goes into the structure of our muscles.

All of these things remind me of why I fell in love with science in the first place. It’s not just about solving problems; it’s about experiencing the wonder of discovery.

However, I will admit that my major is not always sunshine and rainbows. To put it plainly, yeah, it’s hard. There have been long evenings spent in the lab, putting hours into an experiment only to yield poor results.

There are moments when the work feels overwhelming, and the pressure of exams and deadlines weighs heavily. But the things I learn in the process, the “ah ha” moments when I finally understand a difficult concept or see the results of an experiment that finally works, make it all worth it.

Every setback is a learning opportunity, and every victory, no matter how small, is a reminder of why I chose this path. T

he major may be tough, but the knowledge I gain, the skills I develop, and the potential to make a tangible difference in the world make every ounce of effort feel worthwhile.

So, if you’re someone who wants to think beyond the textbook, solve real-world problems, and contribute to innovations that will change the future, then biotechnology and molecular biology isn’t just a major— it’s a purpose.