BS in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida International University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at Florida International University is a 120-credit, four-year degree designed for students who want to understand living systems through biological, chemical and physical perspectives while developing skills in laboratory research, data analysis and scientific communication. It is well suited to students interested in careers or further study in biochemistry, healthcare, industry, government, education and related scientific fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by building their scientific foundation through general chemistry, biology, mathematics and laboratory work. Core courses include CHM 1045 General Chemistry I, CHM 1045L General Chemistry Lab I, BSC 2010 General Biology I and MAC 2311 Calculus I, establishing the chemistry, biology and quantitative skills needed for advanced study.

Year 2: Students progress into organic chemistry and continue developing their mathematical and physical-science knowledge. Courses such as CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I, CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II, MAC 2312 Calculus II and PHY 2048 Physics W/Calculus I introduce increasingly sophisticated concepts and laboratory techniques.

Year 3: The program moves into upper-division biochemistry and analytical sciences, giving students a deeper understanding of chemical processes in living systems. Students study CHM 3120 Intro Analytical Chemistry, CHM 3410 Physical Chemistry I, CHM 4304 Biological Chemistry I and MCB 3020 General Microbiology, alongside their associated laboratory work.

Year 4: Students consolidate their specialist knowledge through advanced biochemistry electives, research and professional preparation. Options include CHM 4307 Biological Chemistry II, PCB 4524 Molecular Biology, PCB 4233 Immunology and BCH 4910L Undergraduate Research, followed by CHM 4930 Senior Seminar; the research requirement is completed over two to three semesters with a Chemistry faculty member.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, biological chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, virology, bio-organic chemistry, instrumental analysis, radiochemistry and chemical toxicology.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to conduct laboratory research, analyze data, communicate scientific information and understand the biochemical basis of living systems from biological, chemical and physical perspectives. The curriculum also provides preparation for advanced study and professional opportunities in industry, government, education and scientific fields.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

FIU's official accreditation information lists the B.S. in Chemistry as its American Chemical Society-accredited chemistry program; it does not list the B.S. in Biochemistry as an ACS-accredited program. Therefore, no specific external accreditation is attributed to the Biochemistry B.S. here.

Reputation (Employability / Institutional Strength)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is part of FIU, a Carnegie R1 research university, and reports research activity spanning biochemistry, pharmaceutical innovations, forensic science, nuclear chemistry, environmental solutions and biomedical research. The department also has more than 50 professors and researchers and provides undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in research and present their work through activities such as the BSI Research Symposium.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a central part of FIU's B.S. in Biochemistry, with the degree requiring students to complete an undergraduate research project with one of the department's research groups. Students work with a Chemistry faculty member on a biochemical research project, produce a written report in the style of a peer-reviewed research publication, and can begin arranging their research experience as early as their sophomore year. FIU's research environment also gives students access to specialized laboratories, research centers and scientific facilities across the university.

Students can build practical scientific experience through:

Undergraduate research: BCH 4910L Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry requires students to work with a research advisor on a biochemical research project and submit a written research report. The program requires the research experience over two to three semesters in collaboration with a Chemistry faculty member.
Laboratory training: Students complete laboratory components throughout the curriculum, including CHM 1045L General Chemistry Lab I, CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry Lab I, CHM 3120L Intro Analytical Chemistry Lab, CHM 4304L Biological Chemistry I Lab and MCB 3020L General Microbiology Lab.
Instrumental analysis: Students can study CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis and CHM 4130L Instrumental Analysis Lab, developing experience with advanced analytical approaches used in chemical and biochemical investigation.
Research centers and institutes: Relevant FIU research environments include the Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Center for Advanced Research in Forensic Science, International Forensic Research Institute, National Forensic Science Technology Center and Translational Molecular Discoveries.
Specialized facilities: FIU's research facilities include the DNA Core Facility, Advanced Mass Spectrometry Facility, Forensic DNA Profiling Facility, Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Forensic & Analytical Toxicology Facility, among other facilities relevant to chemistry and biological research.
Research presentation: The department's BSI Research Symposium showcases research conducted by FIU students, faculty and invited scientists, giving students a setting in which to engage with current biomolecular research.
Summer research: FIU's Summer Research Internship program includes Chemistry and Biochemistry among its participating disciplines and provides an eight-week hands-on research experience with faculty and graduate-student mentors.
Collaborative learning: FIU's Chemistry and Biochemistry department supports undergraduate Learning Assistants, who facilitate collaborative peer learning during group work in STEM classes including chemistry and biochemistry.
Career and internship tools: FIU Career and Talent Development provides internship and job-search assistance, career coaching, professional-development workshops and access to Handshake for personalized job and internship opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares graduates for professional careers as biochemists in industry, government service and secondary education, while also providing a foundation for advanced study. FIU specifically identifies career opportunities including bio-analytical chemist, biophysicist, biological technician, epidemiologist, forensic scientist and toxicologist, while the university catalog also identifies pathways into advanced degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, dentistry, law, medicine and veterinary care.

Typical job roles include Bio-analytical Chemist, Biophysicist, Biological Technician and Forensic Scientist. Students can also pursue roles such as epidemiologist and toxicologist, depending on their additional education, training and professional requirements.

Students can strengthen their transition into employment and further study through:

Career and Talent Development: FIU's Career and Talent Development provides résumé writing and critiques, professional development, career-related events, and internship and job-search assistance.
Internship and job-search support: Students can work with career coaches and participate in professional-development workshops while searching for research opportunities, internships, student jobs and volunteer experiences. FIU's Handshake platform also provides personalized job and internship recommendations based on students' majors and interests.
Employment data and salary information: FIU's career platform provides occupation-level employment trends, top employers, education levels, annual earnings, technical skills and job-title information using external labor-market data. FIU's official B.S. in Biochemistry page does not publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure, so no unsupported percentage or salary is presented here.
Research and industry connections: FIU's Biomolecular Sciences Institute has collaborated with industry partner Oragenics on research aimed at developing potential treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. FIU states that Translational Molecular Discoveries seeks to establish partnerships between FIU faculty and industry so scientific discoveries can contribute to disease treatment.
Long-term accreditation value: The official FIU accreditation listing does not identify an external programmatic accreditation for the B.S. in Biochemistry. The department's ACS accreditation applies to the separate B.S. in Chemistry, so students should not treat the Biochemistry degree as an ACS-accredited program.
Graduation and progression: The university catalog states that graduates are prepared for positions in education, government service, industry and nonprofits and for advanced degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, dentistry, law, medicine and veterinary care.
Advising and pre-health support: FIU advisors help students with course enrollment, graduation requirements and career preparation, while Pre-Health Advising supports students with professional-program course requirements, admission tests and application processes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biochemistry, students can progress to advanced study in areas such as biochemistry and chemistry, with FIU offering an M.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry. The degree also prepares students to pursue professional programs in dentistry, medicine, law and veterinary care, while students interested in secondary teaching can seek the appropriate teacher-certification pathway through FIU.