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The Biochemistry B.S./B.A. at Florida State University explores the chemical basis of life by combining chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, genetics, and biochemistry, giving students a strong scientific foundation for specific applications, advanced study, and pre-health or pre-medical pathways. The program requires 120 total credits, including 72–73 credits of major coursework, and is offered through face-to-face instruction at FSU’s main campus in Tallahassee.
Year 1
Students begin by developing their foundation in chemistry, mathematics, biological sciences, and general education. Key courses include General Chemistry I and Lab (CHM 1045/1045L), General Chemistry II and Lab (CHM 1046/1046L), Biological Science I (BSC 2010/2010L), and Pre-Calculus Algebra (MAC 1140), followed by Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311).
Year 2
The second year moves into core chemistry and biological science requirements while strengthening students’ mathematical and genetic foundations. Students study Organic Chemistry I (CHM 2210), Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHM 2211/2211L), Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (MAC 2312), and General Genetics (PCB 3063).
Year 3
Students progress into more specialized biochemistry, analytical chemistry, physics, and biology coursework. Major subjects include General Biochemistry I (BCH 4053), General Biochemistry II (BCH 4054), Analytical Chemistry I and Lab (CHM 3120/3120L), General Physics A (PHY 2048C), and General Physics B (PHY 2049C).
Year 4
The final year focuses on advanced chemistry and hands-on biochemistry laboratory work, allowing students to consolidate their scientific knowledge and complete upper-level requirements. Students take Physical Chemistry I (CHM 4410), Physical Chemistry II (CHM 4411), Advanced Analytical Chemistry (CHM 4130), Biochemistry Lab (BCH 4053L), and Advanced Analytical Chemistry Lab (CHM 4130L).
Focus Areas
Biochemistry and molecular life processes, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biological sciences, genetics, physics, mathematics, pre-health and pre-medical preparation
Learning Outcomes
Students develop a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and biochemistry while building the scientific knowledge needed to investigate the chemical basis of life. The interdisciplinary curriculum prepares students to apply these foundations to laboratory, healthcare, research, environmental, pharmaceutical, and other science-related settings or pursue more specialized study.
Professional Alignment
The program's combination of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and laboratory-based coursework supports preparation for a range of scientific and health-related pathways. FSU also identifies the major as meeting most medical school prerequisites, making it particularly relevant for students planning pre-health or pre-medical study.
Reputation and Career Preparation
FSU's official program guide identifies representative employment areas including pharmaceutical manufacturers, chemical industries, medical laboratories, hospitals, government agencies, and educational institutions. It also lists roles such as laboratory assistant/technician, laboratory tester/analyst, medical technologist, environmental analyst, crime laboratory analyst, technical/scientific writer, and consumer safety officer; with further study, graduates may pursue fields such as biochemistry research, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, dentistry, food science, genetics, and academic teaching.
The Biochemistry program at Florida State University gives students opportunities to connect classroom science with active laboratory research. Through FSU's undergraduate research opportunities, Biochemistry students can work on projects involving areas such as protein chemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, and biochemical interactions. FSU's UROP, for example, lists research projects specifically open to Biochemistry majors, while the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry also provides access to research opportunities and REU programs.
Students can gain practical experience through:
Undergraduate research: FSU's UROP provides Biochemistry majors with opportunities to participate in faculty-led research projects, including studies involving cultured human cells, protein interactions, structural biology, and biochemical processes.
Laboratory research: Students can become involved with research groups within the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and related FSU departments, gaining experience in experimental scientific research.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): FSU's Chemistry & Biochemistry REU provides undergraduate researchers with access to research space, synthetic equipment, and scientific instrumentation while working on faculty-led projects.
Research presentation: The REU program includes weekly meetings where students present their research findings and learn about graduate-school preparation.
Interdisciplinary research: FSU research opportunities connect biochemistry with areas such as bioengineering, biological sciences, neuroscience, computational biology, structural biology, and protein chemistry.
Official research and university resources: FSU Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement.
FSU's Biochemistry program can prepare graduates for laboratory, pharmaceutical, medical, environmental, and other science-related careers, while also providing a foundation for graduate and professional education. FSU's own research environment demonstrates pathways into biomedical and biochemical research; for example, the university's College of Medicine includes researchers and graduate students working in areas such as drug discovery, enzymology, molecular biology, protein purification, and biochemical assays.
Potential career directions include:
Laboratory technician or laboratory assistant
Laboratory tester or analyst
Medical technologist
Environmental analyst
Crime laboratory analyst
Biochemistry research
Pharmaceutical research and development
Scientific or technical writing
Consumer safety
Medical and health-related professions
FSU also provides career resources for Chemistry and Biochemistry students, including career advising, internship and graduate-school fairs, and NoleNetwork for job and career opportunities. The Chemistry & Biochemistry department additionally directs students toward undergraduate internships, REUs, STEM career resources, and graduate-school funding opportunities.
Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in areas such as biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical sciences, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, genetics, and related disciplines. FSU's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers graduate-level research in biochemistry and related chemistry fields, while the university's College of Medicine and other research units provide additional pathways into biomedical and health sciences.
The Biochemistry major does not have specialized admission requirements; students must complete the required prerequisite coursework before progressing to the upper-division major.
Prerequisites include Biological Sciences I and II with labs, General Chemistry I and II with labs, Organic Chemistry I and II with labs, Calculus I, and Calculus II; Calculus II may be completed after admission to the major. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Science applicants are generally assessed on the rigour of their Mathematics and laboratory-science coursework. Relevant preparation may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus or Statistics, depending on the intended field. Research, science fairs, Olympiads, laboratory exposure, independent investigation and environmental or community-science projects can demonstrate scientific curiosity and analytical thinking.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Medical TechnologistEnvironmental AnalystCrime Laboratory AnalystTechnical/Scientific WriterTechnical Sales and Service RepresentativeHigh School TeacherConsumer Safety OfficerBiochemist/Researcher/Engineer
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