Sc.B. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Brown University

Program Overview

The Sc.B. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Brown University explores how life works at the molecular level, bringing together chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics with areas such as genetics, immunology, pharmacology, neuroscience, and synthetic biology. It is an excellent choice for students who are curious about how biological processes work inside cells and molecules and who want to develop strong scientific knowledge alongside meaningful research experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by developing a strong foundation in the sciences that support biochemistry and molecular biology. Courses such as MATH 0090/0100 Single Variable Calculus, CHEM 0330 Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure, and PHYS 0030 Basic Physics A help students build essential knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, and physics.

Year 2: Students move into the core biological and biochemical concepts that form the foundation of the degree. Courses such as BIOL 0200 The Foundation of Living Systems, BIOL 0280 Biochemistry, and BIOL 0470 Genetics introduce students to biological systems, biochemical processes, and the ways genetic information influences living organisms.

Year 3: Students can begin exploring more specialised areas of molecular and biomedical science according to their interests. Courses such as BIOL 0500 Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOL 0530 Principles of Immunology, CHEM 1230 Chemical Biology, and CHEM 1240 Biochemical Reactions and Mechanisms allow students to explore topics ranging from cellular processes and immune responses to chemical reactions in biological systems.

Year 4: In the final year, students take their learning into more advanced areas and gain substantial research experience through the program's distinctive year of hands-on research with a Brown faculty member. Depending on their interests, students can explore subjects such as BIOL 1222A Current Topics in Functional Genomics, BIOL 1300 Biomolecular Interactions: Health, Disease and Drug Design, BIOL 1540 Molecular Genetics, and CHEM 1220 Computational Tools in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Structure and Function, Genetics, Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Functional Genomics, Immunology, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Developmental Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biomolecular Interactions, Drug and Gene Delivery, Cancer Biology, Virology, Biotechnology, Biophysics

Learning Outcomes

Understand the molecular mechanisms that support life, analyse the structure and function of biological molecules, apply chemistry and biology to molecular problems, understand genetic and cellular processes, use quantitative and statistical approaches in biological research, investigate biochemical reactions and mechanisms, analyse biological data, develop laboratory and research skills, connect molecular biology with health and disease, conduct independent faculty-mentored research

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program provides a strong STEM-focused foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics. Brown identifies Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as STEM eligible, while the program's year-long faculty-mentored research experience gives students valuable preparation for careers and further study in scientific research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and related fields. As a science degree rather than an engineering program, it is not an ABET-accredited degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Students benefit from Brown University's strong research environment and from the program's connections with the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry. The opportunity to work directly with Brown faculty, including both basic science and clinical researchers, gives students valuable exposure to active scientific research and can help prepare them for employment or advanced study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Sc.B. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Brown University gives students substantial hands-on research experience rather than limiting learning to the classroom. A key part of the program is a full year of research with a Brown faculty member, allowing students to work within an active research group and develop practical skills in areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics, and chemical biology. Students can also benefit from Brown's specialised teaching laboratories, research equipment, and biomedical core facilities, gaining experience with the tools and techniques used in modern biological research:

Year-long faculty research: Students complete two semesters of hands-on research in collaboration with a Brown faculty member. Research can be undertaken through options such as BIOL 1950 Directed Research/Independent Study, BIOL 1960 Directed Research/Independent Study, CHEM 0980 Undergraduate Research, and related research courses.
Faculty-mentored laboratory experience: Students can join a research laboratory that matches their interests and work directly with faculty from the Department of Chemistry or the Division of Biology and Medicine. This provides an opportunity to experience how real scientific research is designed, conducted, and analysed.
Summer research opportunities: Summer research with faculty in Brown's Biology or Chemistry departments may be used toward part of the program's research requirement when it meets the appropriate research expectations.
Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories: Brown's Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories (MDL) support practical teaching and course-based research in areas including molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and bioinformatics. Students can use these environments to develop laboratory techniques through hands-on experiments and research-style projects.
Molecular biology techniques: Course-based research experiences can give students practical exposure to techniques such as PCR and PCR cleanup, along with experience using laboratory equipment and following experimental procedures.
Specialised research equipment: Brown's molecular and cellular biology research facilities include equipment such as real-time PCR systems, ultracentrifuges, confocal microscopes, tissue-culture equipment, NanoDrop instruments, and gel imaging systems, supporting advanced biological research.
Biochemistry and chemical biology research: Students can connect laboratory and research experience with subjects such as chemical biology, biochemical reactions and mechanisms, protein science, genetics, genomics, immunology, pharmacology, and synthetic biology.
Research centres and institutes: Students can benefit from Brown's interdisciplinary research environment, which includes the Center for Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Carney Institute for Brain Science, and COBRE Center for Computation Biology of Human Disease.
BioMed Core Facilities: Brown's biomedical core facilities provide access to advanced research technologies, specialised instrumentation, and technical expertise, giving students exposure to the infrastructure used by researchers across the biomedical sciences.
Interdisciplinary research environment: The program's connection with both Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry allows students to explore research that bridges chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, medicine, neuroscience, and other life-science disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Sc.B. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Brown University gives students a strong foundation for careers in scientific research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and other life-science fields. The combination of interdisciplinary science and a full year of faculty-mentored research also prepares students well for graduate or professional education and for careers that require strong laboratory and research skills.

Typical career directions include: Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Technician, Biochemist

Career support at Brown: The Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Center for Career Exploration provides students with career advising, workshops, industry experts, employer events, and resources for internships and jobs. Its Science & Engineering pathway offers additional guidance and resources for students interested in scientific and technical careers.
Strong employment and further-study outcomes: Brown reports that 96% of recent graduates found employment or enrolled in graduate or professional school within six months. For the Class of 2023, 67% entered employment and 23% continued into graduate or professional studies.
Long-term career preparation: Brown reports that 88% of undergraduate alumni 10 years after graduation say Brown prepared them for their current career. Brown also reports that 25% of the Class of 2022 pursued graduate or professional studies.
Science and engineering opportunities: Brown's Science & Engineering career pathway supports students pursuing careers in research and technical fields. Recent graduates have moved into roles such as Research Assistant, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Technician, Analyst, and Computational Biologist.
Employer and industry connections: Brown's career services connect students with employers through recruitment activities, career fairs, employer events, alumni networks, and BrownConnect+. These resources can help students discover internships, research positions, and full-time employment opportunities.
Internships and research funding: Brown provides significant support for experiential career development, including funding for internship and research experiences. BrownConnect+ also gives students access to internship, research, and funding opportunities.
Life-science career pathways: Brown Biology graduates have gone on to careers and further study in areas including medicine, research, business, and teaching. Students interested in life-science careers can use Brown's career resources and research opportunities to build relevant experience while completing their degree.
Salary information: Brown does not publish a specific average starting salary for graduates of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Sc.B., so a program-specific salary figure should not be assumed.
STEM value: The program has CIP code 26.0202 and is identified by Brown as STEM eligible, which is valuable for students planning STEM-related careers or further study. It is a science degree rather than an engineering program, so it does not carry ABET accreditation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Sc.B., students can continue into master's or doctoral programs in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, genetics, genomics, biomedical sciences, chemical biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related life-science disciplines. The degree can also provide a strong foundation for professional pathways such as medicine, particularly for students who complete the required prerequisites and gain relevant clinical, research, and extracurricular experience during their undergraduate studies.