BS Biochemistry

Columbia’s Biochemistry major gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom theory and work directly with biological and chemical research. The major requires multiple laboratory experiences, including upper-level biology and chemistry laboratories or independent research, while students can also join faculty laboratories during the academic year or undertake intensive summer research through Columbia’s SURF program.

Students can build practical research experience through:

• Independent biological research: BIOL UN3500 Independent Biological Research allows students to work in a research laboratory for academic credit; the department recommends extended research in the same laboratory for students pursuing research careers.
• Molecular genetics laboratory: BIOL UN3052 Project Laboratory in Molecular Genetics provides hands-on upper-level laboratory experience directly relevant to molecular biochemistry.
• Microbiology laboratory: BIOL UN3058 Project Laboratory in Microbiology gives students practical experience investigating biological systems through laboratory-based work.
• Advanced chemistry laboratories: Students can undertake CHEM UN3546 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM UN3085/UN3086 Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory I and II, developing advanced experimental skills.
• Supervised chemical research: CHEM UN3098 Supervised Independent Research allows students to participate in faculty-led chemical research.
• SURF summer research: Columbia's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) provides selected students with 10 weeks of full-time, approximately 40-hour-per-week independent research under a research scientist, with a $5,000 stipend for the 2026 program. Students complete a research article, oral presentation and poster presentation.
• Research laboratories across Columbia: Students can investigate laboratories in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Psychology, as well as research opportunities at the Zuckerman Mind, Brain & Behavior Institute and Columbia's Health Sciences campus.
• Advanced instrumentation: Columbia's Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics research facilities include 500- and 600-MHz Bruker NMR spectrometers, optical spectroscopy equipment, fluorimeters, confocal microscopes, cell-sorting equipment, DNA sequencing systems, peptide/DNA synthesis equipment and protein-sequencing core devices.
• Research communication: SURF students present their work at seminars and the annual SURF Symposium and prepare an original research article, helping develop scientific communication alongside laboratory skills.
• Research mentorship: Students are encouraged to identify faculty whose research interests match their own and contact potential mentors directly; the Chemistry department’s undergraduate program manager can also assist students seeking research opportunities. 

A Columbia Biochemistry degree can lead toward scientific research, biotechnology, biomedical science, medicine, public health and other life-science careers, while the program's strong laboratory component gives students experience that can support both employment and postgraduate study. Columbia's Biological Sciences department specifically welcomes students planning careers in basic research, medicine, public health and biotechnology, making the major particularly suitable for students who want to keep several scientific pathways open.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Molecular Biologist, Biomedical Research Scientist, Biotechnology Researcher.

Students can strengthen their progression through:

• Career services: Columbia's Center for Career Education provides customized career counseling, networking connections, experiential learning opportunities, internships, externships, resume and interview preparation, employer site visits, career fairs and alumni-student networking events.
• Internship and job resources: Students can use LionShare, Columbia's online database for job and internship postings, employer interviews, career fairs and on-campus employer events.
• Research-to-career preparation: The Biology department provides pathways into research laboratories during the academic year, paid laboratory technician work, independent research and summer programs such as SURF.
• Industry and biomedical exposure: Students can conduct research across Columbia's Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments, the Zuckerman Institute and the Health Sciences campus, providing exposure to both fundamental biological research and biomedical science.
• Employment statistics: A Biochemistry-specific employment rate or salary figure is not published on the official program pages reviewed, so a program-specific figure should be recorded as NA rather than estimated.
• Graduation and research distinction: Eligible Biochemistry majors may receive departmental honors, with honors awarded to approximately 10% of graduating majors each year; eligibility includes a minimum 3.6 GPA in major courses and participation in high-quality research.
• Accreditation value: Columbia University's institutional accreditation was reaffirmed by MSCHE in March 2026. While the Biochemistry major has no separate specialized accreditation listed, the accredited Columbia degree provides an established institutional framework for further education and professional progression.
• Professional preparation: The combination of chemistry through organic and physical chemistry, introductory and advanced biology, molecular biology, physics, mathematics and laboratory research provides a strong scientific foundation for research and health-professional pathways.
• Alumni and professional network: GS students have access to the Columbia Alumni Association's global network and the General Studies Alumni Association, alongside New York-based opportunities for internships and professional networking.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and PhD programs in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biophysics, chemistry, biological sciences and related biomedical fields. The major is also well suited to students pursuing medical, dental and other health-professional education, while students interested in research can build on Columbia laboratory experience through doctoral study, fellowships and research positions.