Biochemistry Major

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Central Michigan University

Program Overview

The Biochemistry major at Central Michigan University combines chemistry and biology to explore the molecular processes that keep living organisms functioning, with a strong emphasis on research, laboratory skills and real-world scientific problem solving. It is well suited to students interested in biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, professional health schools or graduate study, with both B.A. and B.S. pathways available.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through CHM 131 General Chemistry I and CHM 132 General Chemistry II, supported by mathematics and introductory biology. They also begin understanding living systems through courses such as BIO 111 Foundations of Evolution and Diversity and BIO 112 Foundations of Cell Biology, building the chemistry and biological knowledge needed for advanced biochemistry.

Second Year: Students progress into more specialised chemistry with CHM 211QR Quantitative Analysis, CHM 345 Organic Chemistry I and CHM 346 Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Bioorganic Chemistry. CHM 349 Organic Chemistry Laboratory adds substantial practical training, while BIO 211 Foundations of Genetics introduces the genetic mechanisms that connect chemistry with molecular biology.

Third Year: Students move into the central biochemistry component through CHM 355 Physical Chemistry: Foundations of Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, CHM 521 Biochemistry I and CHM 522 Biochemistry II. They also develop biotechnology knowledge through BIO 325 Biotechnology, while CHM 391WI Research Methods: Chemical Safety, Sustainability, and Communication introduces research methodology, scientific communication and responsible laboratory practice.

Fourth Year: Students bring their knowledge together through CHM 527 Biochemistry Laboratory and the CHM 491WI Undergraduate Capstone Research and Thesis, completing a faculty-guided research experience. Students also complete mathematics and physics requirements, with MTH 133 Calculus II strongly recommended for those planning graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, physical and biophysical chemistry, quantitative analysis, genetics, biotechnology, laboratory science, chemical research, scientific communication and biomedical applications.

Learning outcomes

Students develop an understanding of molecular life, energy flow, structure-function relationships and genetic regulation; learn to design and conduct experiments, collect and analyse scientific evidence, communicate results professionally, and strengthen technical, teamwork and research skills through faculty-guided scientific inquiry.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Central Michigan University states that its chemistry and biochemistry programmes are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). CMU also describes its Biochemistry major as one of only four Michigan institutions with an accredited ASBMB biochemistry degree.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Central Michigan University does not publish a programme-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for its Biochemistry major. However, its official programme page publishes occupation-level salary information for careers commonly associated with the degree, including $103,650 for biochemists, $100,590 for medical scientists, $87,330 for microbiologists and $86,620 for chemists; these figures are career-level projections rather than CMU graduate salary outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Central Michigan University places research at the heart of its Biochemistry major, giving students opportunities to work directly with faculty and develop practical laboratory and analytical skills. Every biochemistry major completes a faculty-mentored, thesis-based capstone research experience, while the department provides access to advanced instrumentation used in professional research and industry laboratories. Students can also gain professional experience through internships and summer research opportunities with organisations including Dow Chemical, Corteva, DuPont and Zoetis.

Students can build practical experience through:

Faculty-mentored research: Students conduct research with a faculty member and complete a capstone research project and thesis, with opportunities to present findings at scientific conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
CHM 391WI Research Methods: Students develop research skills alongside training in chemical safety, sustainability and scientific communication.
CHM 491WI Undergraduate Capstone Research and Thesis: The programme requires a substantial independent research experience in which students apply scientific methods and communicate their findings.
CHM 527 Biochemistry Laboratory: Students receive dedicated hands-on training in biochemical laboratory techniques.
Biotechnology laboratory experience: BIO 325 Biotechnology combines biological concepts with practical laboratory work and is part of the required Biochemistry curriculum.
NMR spectroscopy: Students have access to a 500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance instrument and benchtop NMR for analysing molecular structures and chemical samples.
Chromatography: Facilities include Gas Chromatography (GC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), GC/Mass Spectrometry, HPLC/Mass Spectrometry and Gel Permeation Chromatography, supporting separation and identification of chemical compounds.
Spectroscopy: Students can work with fluorescence, FTIR and UV/Vis spectrometers to investigate molecular and electronic properties.
Elemental analysis: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Ion Chromatography provide experience analysing elemental composition and trace ions.
Structural and materials analysis: The department provides an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) for investigating structures and material properties.
Internships and summer research: Students can gain professional experience through departmental internships, part-time positions and summer research programmes, including opportunities with companies such as Dow Chemical, Corteva, DuPont and Zoetis.
Collaborative research: Students work alongside nationally and internationally recognised faculty on projects supported by organisations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Scientific presentations and publications: Research projects can lead to presentations at national scientific meetings and contributions to peer-reviewed journals, helping students develop professional scientific communication skills.
Student academic support: The Peer Assistance Center provides free walk-in tutoring in general and organic chemistry, supporting students alongside their laboratory and research work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry major prepares students for careers across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, clinical research and scientific research, while also providing preparation for medical, physician assistant, veterinary and other professional schools. The required research thesis, faculty mentoring, laboratory training and internship opportunities give students experience that can support either direct entry into science-related employment or progression into graduate and professional education.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Medical Scientist, Microbiologist and Clinical Laboratory Technologist:

Career services and professional preparation: CMU's Chemistry and Biochemistry department provides students with resources for internships, part-time positions, summer research and professional development, while faculty mentoring supports academic and career planning.
Employment and salary information: CMU's official programme page lists projected salaries of $103,650 for Biochemists, $100,590 for Medical Scientists, $87,330 for Microbiologists, $86,620 for Chemists, $67,440 for Forensic Science Technicians, $61,890 for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists, $57,790 for Chemical Technicians and $52,000 for Biological Technicians. These are occupation-level projected salary figures rather than salaries specifically earned by CMU graduates.
University–industry connections: CMU specifically identifies internship and summer research opportunities with Dow Chemical, Corteva, DuPont and Zoetis, allowing students to apply their scientific training in professional environments.
Research partnerships and funding: Faculty research is supported by major organisations including the NSF and NIH, and students can work alongside faculty on externally supported research projects.
Accreditation value: The programme is ACS approved and ASBMB accredited, giving students a recognised professional framework for their chemistry and biochemistry training.
Graduation outcomes: Students complete a faculty-mentored capstone research project and thesis, with opportunities to present at scientific conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. CMU reports that its long-running undergraduate research programme has helped students progress into employment and graduate schools.
Professional-school preparation: CMU specifically identifies professional pathways including medical school, physician assistant programmes and veterinary school, alongside graduate study and science careers.
Science and biotechnology pathways: Graduates can pursue roles in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, health professions, clinical research and related scientific fields.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programmes in biochemistry, chemistry, cell and molecular biology, biomedical sciences and related disciplines. CMU offers an M.S. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, while the department also collaborates on interdisciplinary graduate programmes; the undergraduate research thesis provides a direct foundation for research-intensive graduate study. Students pursuing healthcare careers can also use the degree as preparation for medical, physician assistant, veterinary and other professional programmes.