B.S. in Biochemistry (BCHM)

Auburn's B.S. in Biochemistry combines intensive laboratory coursework with opportunities for undergraduate research and internships, allowing students to apply chemical and biological concepts in practical settings. The curriculum includes dedicated laboratories throughout the degree and specifically incorporates CHEM 4980: Undergraduate Research in Chemistry or CHEM 4920: Chemistry Internship, while the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry highlights advanced laboratories, faculty mentorship and opportunities for discovery.

Students can develop practical experience through:

• Undergraduate research: The curriculum includes CHEM 4980: Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, allowing students to participate in research under the direction of chemistry faculty. Auburn also offers CHEM 2980: Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, where freshmen and sophomores can work with a faculty or staff member on an approved research problem.

• Chemistry internships: Students can take CHEM 4920: Chemistry Internship as an alternative to undergraduate research within the curriculum, providing a direct practical-work option.

• Biochemistry laboratories: BCHE 5181: Biochemistry I Laboratory and BCHE 5191: Biochemistry II Laboratory provide dedicated practical training alongside the advanced biochemistry courses.

• Organic chemistry laboratories: CHEM 2071: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory and CHEM 2081: Organic Chemistry II Lab give students hands-on experience with organic chemistry methods.

• Analytical chemistry: CHEM 3051: Analytical Chem Laboratory focuses on practical analytical techniques, complementing CHEM 3050: Analytical Chemistry and its study of chemical analysis.

• Physical chemistry laboratories: Students complete CHEM 4071: Physical Chem I Laboratory and CHEM 4081: Physical Chem II Laboratory, connecting physical chemistry theory with laboratory practice.

• Genetics laboratory: BIOL 3001: General Genetics Laboratory provides practical experience alongside the Genetics course.

• Microbiology laboratory: BIOL 3201: General Micro Lab complements BIOL 3200: General Microbiology, adding practical biological laboratory training.

• Instrumental analysis: Senior students take CHEM 4130: Instrumental Analysis and CHEM 4131: Instrumental Analysis Lab, giving them advanced exposure to instrumental approaches to chemical analysis.

• Professional development: CHEM 2100: Professional Development helps chemistry students investigate career opportunities, consider what career success means to them and develop a pathway toward professional success.

• Scientific literature and databases: CHEM 3000: Chemical Literature introduces students to primary and secondary chemical literature and the computer databases used to access scientific information.

• Research environment: Auburn's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry highlights advanced laboratories, faculty mentorship and opportunities for discovery, supporting undergraduate learning alongside departmental research.

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for careers in biochemistry, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biotechnology and forensic chemistry, while its biology and chemistry foundation also supports progression into medically related and research-focused postgraduate programs. Auburn specifically states that graduates can continue into advanced study in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and medically related fields.

Typical career roles include:

Biochemist, Chemist, Medicinal Chemist, Forensic Chemist

Students can build their professional pathway through:

• Career Discovery and Success: Auburn's Career Discovery and Success provides career strategists, employer and alumni engagement, professional networking opportunities, career exploration and individualized support throughout the college-to-career journey.

• Professional development: The Department offers CHEM 2100: Professional Development, where students investigate career opportunities, reflect on career success and develop a pathway toward professional success.

• Employment fields: Auburn identifies biochemistry graduates as prepared for professional careers in biochemistry, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biotechnology and forensic chemistry.

• Research preparation: Students can complete undergraduate research through CHEM 4980 and may also begin research earlier through CHEM 2980, providing faculty-guided research experience.

• Internship pathway: CHEM 4920: Chemistry Internship is built into the curriculum as an alternative to undergraduate research, giving students a structured route to practical professional experience.

• University–employer engagement: Auburn's Career Discovery and Success includes an Employer and Alumni Engagement team and develops partnerships with employers and alumni to support career development and experiential learning. The official sources reviewed do not identify a specific industry partnership exclusive to this B.S. in Biochemistry.

• Employment and graduation outcomes: Auburn's First Destination Survey collects graduate career plans and follows up with graduates who have not reported full-time employment or continuing education, with outcomes tracked by college and major through the university's career-outcomes system.

• Salary figures: Auburn's official First Destination system provides career-outcome data and additional details for graduates, but the sources reviewed do not provide a current B.S. Biochemistry-specific salary figure that can be stated reliably here.

• Long-term professional value: The program's ACS-approved curriculum provides a recognized professional framework in undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry education, while the combination of chemistry, biology, laboratory work and research supports progression into scientific and medically related fields.

• Postgraduate preparation: Auburn explicitly identifies advanced degree pathways in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and medically related fields, making the degree suitable for students planning further academic or professional education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biochemistry, students can pursue graduate study in areas such as biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and genetics, or move into medically related advanced-degree programs. Auburn's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry also offers graduate-level chemistry study, providing a potential route for students who want to continue developing their research and scientific expertise.