Biochemistry (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Brigham Young University Provo

Program Overview

The Biochemistry BS at Brigham Young University combines chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics to give students an in-depth understanding of the chemical processes underlying living systems. It suits students interested in scientific research, biotechnology, health-related professional schools or graduate study, with coursework progressing from fundamental chemistry into advanced biochemistry, molecular biology and laboratory research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as Principles of Chemistry 1, Principles of Chemistry 2 and Intro General Chemistry Lab, while also beginning the mathematics and physics preparation required for advanced scientific study. The curriculum also introduces students to laboratory safety and professional scientific practice through Chem Handling & Safe Lab Prac.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized chemistry and biochemistry preparation with Organic Chemistry 1 - Majors, Organic Chemistry 2 - Majors and Biochem Fundamentals. They also develop quantitative and biological knowledge through courses such as Calculus 1, Calculus 2 and Genetics, creating the foundation for advanced molecular and biochemical study.

Year 3: The program becomes increasingly focused on the molecular processes of life through Biophysical Chemistry, Mechanisms of Molecular Biol and Bioenergetics & Metabolism. Students also develop practical and communication skills through Biochem Methods and Tech Writing Using Chem Lit, learning to apply biochemical concepts, laboratory methods and scientific literature to real scientific problems.

Year 4: In the final stage, students deepen their understanding through Structural Biochemistry, Adv Biochemistry Methods 1 and Adv Biochemistry Methods 2, while completing a Senior Seminar. Depending on their interests, students can also use elective requirements for advanced areas such as Genomics, Immunology, Virology, Instrumental Analysis Lab, Fundamentals of Spectroscopy, Advanced Biochemical Methodology or an Honors Thesis.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioenergetics and metabolism, structural biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, biochemical methodology, laboratory science and scientific communication.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop mastery of general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry together with in-depth biochemistry knowledge; perform laboratory procedures safely and accurately; design and troubleshoot experiments; analyze experimental data; undertake independent laboratory projects; communicate scientific results through written and oral reports and technical graphics; interpret biochemical literature; and make informed decisions about employment or further education.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

BYU's official catalog does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Biochemistry BS. Instead, the program emphasizes documented learning outcomes in chemistry and biochemistry fundamentals, laboratory practice, research, scientific communication, career preparation and professionalism.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

BYU does not state a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this individual Biochemistry BS on the official program page. However, the university's official Chemistry & Biochemistry materials identify employers of graduates including Thermo Fisher Scientific, NIH, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Intel, Northrop Grumman, Clorox Company, Edwards Lifesciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute and other scientific and technology organizations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry BS gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into laboratory practice and mentored research. BYU's Chemistry & Biochemistry Department has extensive research infrastructure, including molecular biology equipment, mass spectrometry, NMR, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, flow cytometry and networked computational facilities, while the program's learning outcomes explicitly include experimental design, data analysis and independent laboratory projects.

Students can build practical experience through:

Mentored undergraduate research: Students who participate in mentored research can use classroom and laboratory knowledge to make an individual contribution within a research laboratory.
Advanced biochemical laboratories: Adv Biochemistry Methods 1 and Adv Biochemistry Methods 2 provide opportunities to develop advanced biochemical laboratory methodology.
Biochemical instrumentation: Department facilities include NMR, mass spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, spectrophotometers, lasers, separation systems, ICP equipment and thermodynamic instruments.
Molecular biology facilities: Students have access within the department's research environment to molecular biology tools including DNA synthesizers and sequencers, recombinant DNA facilities and ultracentrifuges.
Biological Mass Spectrometry: BYU's facility includes Agilent Ion Mobility LC/Q-OF, Thermo Orbitrap Fusion Lumos, Thermo Orbitrap Eclipse, Agilent LC/Q-TOF and TOF instruments.
NMR Facility: The department's NMR facility includes Bruker 500 MHz, Varian 500 MHz and Varian 300 MHz instruments.
X-Ray Diffraction Facility: Students in the research environment can work with both powder XRD and single-crystal XRD instrumentation.
Spectroscopic Facility: The department provides analytical instrumentation covering spectroscopy, surface analysis and separations.
Flow Cytometry Facility: The facility includes a modern cytometer capable of handling samples from tubes or up to 384-well plates and a Bio-Rad S3e cell sorter.
Computational resources: BYU provides networked computational chemistry and laboratory workstations with connections to supercomputing facilities and the Internet.
Academic internship and capstone options: The degree's elective structure allows students to complete an Academic Internship or Capstone Experience for credit.
Honors research: Students can use elective credits toward an Honors Thesis, providing another route for extended independent academic work.
Scientific library resources: The BYU science collection includes more than 500,000 volumes and approximately 9,000 journal subscriptions, supporting laboratory and research work.
Teaching and laboratory employment: Chemistry & Biochemistry also offers undergraduate positions such as Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Lecture Class Teaching Assistant, Gen Chem/O-Chem Lab Coordinator and Recitation Leader.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry BS prepares students for scientific employment as well as professional and graduate education. BYU identifies opportunities across laboratory science, biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, healthcare-related professions, education and research, while its official career material lists both direct-entry careers and careers that normally require additional graduate or professional education.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Biotechnologist, Chemist, Lab Researcher.

Career advising: BYU's Chemistry & Biochemistry Department provides undergraduate faculty advising and dedicated career advising, including guidance on careers students can explore after graduation.
Research preparation: The program's learning outcomes include independent laboratory work, experimental design, data analysis and mentored research, giving students experience relevant to research-based employment and graduate applications.
Industry employers: BYU's official biochemistry materials identify organizations that have hired graduates, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Intel, Northrop Grumman, Edwards Lifesciences, Clorox Company, Huntsman Cancer Institute, NIH and other employers.
Professional pathways: BYU identifies biochemistry as preparation for professional schools, including pathways toward medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and related health professions.
Employment options: The university's career material identifies roles including biotechnologist, chemist, forensic scientist, environmental chemist, industrial chemist, lab researcher, patent examiner, technical sales and marketing representative, quality assurance and control manager, regulatory compliance officer and other scientific occupations.
Further research opportunities: Students interested in scientific research can use undergraduate research experience as preparation for master's and doctoral study.
Graduate study at BYU: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers graduate programs including an M.S. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, providing possible routes for continued specialization.
Employment and salary statistics: BYU's official Biochemistry program and career materials reviewed here do not publish a specific graduate employment rate or average salary for this individual BS. Therefore, no program-specific employment percentage or salary figure is stated here.
Long-term academic value: The degree develops transferable capabilities in laboratory practice, scientific analysis, technical communication, research and professional ethics, supporting progression into scientific employment or additional education.

Further Academic Progression: After the BS, students can pursue graduate study in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biomedical science or related fields. At BYU, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a Biochemistry PhD, which emphasizes original research in biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as a Chemistry MS for advanced specialized study and research; students may also pursue medical, dental, pharmacy or other professional schools depending on their academic and career goals.