Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Clarkson University

Program Overview

Clarkson University's Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students who want to understand the chemistry of living systems and apply that knowledge to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, disease diagnostics and medicine. The program combines biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics with substantial laboratory and research experience, making it particularly suitable for students interested in scientific research, biotechnology, healthcare or pre-health professional programs.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by establishing the scientific and mathematical foundation needed for advanced biochemistry, with courses such as Biology I: Inheritance, Evolution and Diversity, Structure and Bonding, Chemistry Laboratory I, Calculus I and Physics I. The first-year experience also includes FY100 First-Year Seminar and UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar, helping students build their academic foundation while beginning laboratory-based scientific work.

Second Year: Students move further into molecular and chemical sciences through subjects such as Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Chemical Equilibrium and Dynamics and Chemistry Laboratory II. This stage develops a stronger understanding of biological processes, chemical reactions and laboratory techniques while continuing the mathematics and physics requirements.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes increasingly specialized through Biochemistry I, Biochemistry II, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Biochemistry & Biotechnology Laboratory, Spectroscopy and Spectroscopy Laboratory. Students begin connecting molecular biology and chemical analysis with practical applications in areas such as biotechnology, biomaterials, biosensors and proteomics.

Fourth Year: Advanced study continues with Physical Chemistry I, Physical Chemistry II, upper-level Biology or Chemistry electives and professional experience. Students can use this professional-experience component for directed faculty research or an external internship/co-op, allowing them to apply their scientific training in research, medical or industrial environments.

Focus Areas

Bioanalytical chemistry, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, bionanotechnology, biosensors, proteomics, biotechnology, molecular biology, chemical and structural biology, pharmaceuticals, medical science

Learning Outcomes

Students develop knowledge across biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics while gaining practical skills in biochemical and molecular laboratory work, scientific analysis, research and problem-solving. The program also develops experience with advanced analytical instrumentation and prepares students to apply scientific knowledge to biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Clarkson's official Biochemistry B.S. page does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the biochemistry major. Instead, the program emphasizes professional preparation through research, internships, co-ops, professional organizations and pre-health advising tracks, including pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-veterinary, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies and physical therapy.

Reputation / Employability

Clarkson reports a 96% university placement rate for the Class of 2026, while the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department reports average undergraduate early-career salaries of more than $74,000. These figures are university/department-level statistics rather than Biochemistry B.S.-specific outcomes. The department also states that its Career Center hosts two career fairs each year, connecting students with employers recruiting for internships, co-ops and full-time positions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Clarkson, laboratory experience is a central part of the Biochemistry B.S. Students can work alongside faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on research projects, while the professional-experience requirement can also be fulfilled through internships or co-ops in medical, research and industry environments. Students are trained on advanced analytical equipment used by Clarkson researchers, giving them practical exposure to techniques directly relevant to biochemical and biotechnology research.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research: Students can conduct directed research in areas including genetics, proteomics, biomaterials, biosensors, drug synthesis and drug delivery.
Summer research: Students can work on summer research projects alongside professors, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and may present their findings at local, national and international meetings.
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Clarkson highlights a 10-week summer research experience where students develop research, collaboration and critical problem-solving skills.
Internships and co-ops: The professional-experience requirement can be completed through external internships or co-ops in medical, research or industrial environments.
Named internship destinations: Clarkson lists student internship experiences with organizations including Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Procter & Gamble, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Corning and UMass Chan Medical School.
NMR spectroscopy: Students can gain hands-on experience with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for chemical and biochemical analysis.
GC-MS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is among the advanced analytical techniques available for student training and research.
HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography is another major analytical technique students can learn to use.
Biological and biochemical laboratories: Clarkson's biology facilities include equipment such as NanoDrop systems, thermal cyclers, centrifuges, incubators, gel apparatus and cell-culture facilities, supporting molecular biology and biochemistry work.
Additional research instrumentation: Available teaching and research equipment includes electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, particle sizers, thermal and mechanical analyzers, UV/visible and fluorescence spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers.
Research presentations and publications: Undergraduate researchers may present at scientific conferences and, where their contribution is sufficient, become co-authors on peer-reviewed publications.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Clarkson Biochemistry B.S. can lead directly toward careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, laboratory analysis and scientific research, while also providing a strong foundation for medical and other health-professional pathways. Clarkson's recent graduates have worked for organizations including Battelle Memorial Institute, Generation Bio, Guardant Health, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Pinetree Therapeutics and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Typical career directions include: clinical/biochemistry lab analyst, research scientist, forensic scientist, scientific/quality analyst. Clarkson also identifies dentistry, pharmacy, medicine and veterinary medicine as professional pathways supported by the degree.

Students can build toward these opportunities through:

Career development: Clarkson's Career Center hosts two career fairs each year, bringing employers to campus to recruit students for internships, co-ops and full-time employment.
Employment outcomes: Clarkson reports a 96% university placement rate for the Class of 2026. The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department reports average undergraduate early-career salaries of more than $74,000; these figures are not limited to Biochemistry graduates.
Industry experience: Students can undertake internships and co-ops with medical centers, research facilities, universities and private companies, with Clarkson listing organizations such as Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals among internship destinations.
Research-to-career preparation: Undergraduate research can involve conference presentations, publications and open-ended scientific problem solving, helping students prepare for research careers and graduate study.
Pre-health preparation: Clarkson offers specialized advising tracks for pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry, pre-veterinary, pre-public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant studies.
Professional progression: Clarkson's biochemistry program provides science coursework relevant to the MCAT and preparation for graduate and professional programs.
Recent graduate destinations: Clarkson identifies graduate-school destinations including Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, University of Rochester, West Virginia University and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Departmental research environment: Students can continue into research areas such as biochemistry and biotechnology, nanotechnology and nanomaterials, analytical chemistry and sensors, organic chemistry, physical/computational chemistry and inorganic/solid-state chemistry.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S., students can pursue master's or doctoral study in scientific and health-related fields, including graduate study connected to biochemistry, chemistry, biotechnology and the health sciences. Clarkson also provides specific pathways for students interested in Doctor of Physical Therapy, M.S. in Occupational Therapy and M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, and eligible participants can move into these Clarkson programs without completing a second application. The university also offers a B.S. in Biochemistry + MBA 4+1 pathway, allowing students to complete the undergraduate degree and MBA in five years.