Bachelor in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Fordham University

Program Overview

Fordham University’s Biochemistry major explores the chemistry of living systems, combining biology, chemistry and molecular science to understand how biomolecules function and how biochemical processes relate to health and disease. It is designed for students interested in biotechnology, medicine, bioengineering, pharmacology, forensic science and allied health fields, while also providing preparation for graduate and professional schools.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as CHEM 1321/1331 General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I, together with introductory biology and mathematics. The curriculum builds the chemistry, biology and quantitative skills needed for more advanced biochemical study, with students completing foundational sequences in general chemistry, biology and mathematics.

Year 2: Students progress into molecular and organic chemistry through CHEM 2521 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2541 Organic Chemistry Lab I and the corresponding Organic Chemistry II sequence. Students can also take the more intensive CHEM 2531/2532 Organic Chemistry Lab for Chem Majors, developing practical skills in organic laboratory work and strengthening their understanding of chemical reactions relevant to biological systems.

Year 3: Students move into the core of the major with CHEM 4221 Biochemistry I, CHEM 4231 Biochemistry Lab I and CHEM 4222 Biochemistry II, studying biological polymers, enzyme kinetics, biosynthesis, energy conversion and biochemical regulation. Students also begin the required CHEM 4030 Chemistry Seminar, while research courses such as CHEM 3990 Directed Research provide opportunities to work with faculty mentors.

Year 4: Advanced study depends on the student's selected track. General-track students can explore CHEM 3141 Methods of Biochemical Research and CHEM 4251 Physical and Computational Models of Biochemical Systems, while ACS-track students can undertake CHEM 3721 Quantitative Analysis or CHEM 3722 Instrumental Analysis, CHEM 4422 Inorganic Chemistry and a Physical Chemistry sequence. Electives such as BISC 4530 Cancer Biology and Signaling, CHEM 4621 Bionanotechnology and Introduction to Nanomedicine and NSCI 4081 Neurochemistry allow students to connect biochemical knowledge with emerging areas of science.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biochemistry, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biocomputation, physiology, pharmacology, bionanotechnology, nanomedicine, cancer biology, forensic science

Learning Outcomes

Students develop an understanding of the structure and function of biological building blocks such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids; learn how biomolecules interact at the cellular level; develop biochemical laboratory and research skills; apply chemical and biological principles to metabolic and molecular processes; and build preparation for scientific research, healthcare professions, graduate study and professional schools.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biochemistry major is available through two tracks: a General Track and an American Chemical Society (ACS)-certified track. The ACS track is designed for students seeking greater emphasis on physical, analytical, structural and molecular aspects of biochemistry and follows ACS curriculum standards; both tracks require students to participate in research.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

Fordham reports that 100% of its Biochemistry graduates in the past two years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or another meaningful endeavor within six months of graduation, while 80% pursued advanced degrees. The university also highlights 13 faculty-led active research labs and a $4,000 summer research grant stipend, providing evidence of strong undergraduate research opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Fordham's Biochemistry major integrates research directly into the degree, with both the General and ACS tracks requiring students to participate in research. Students can work with faculty mentors through directed and independent research while gaining experience with modern analytical, spectroscopic, biochemical and computational techniques. Fordham's chemistry facilities also provide access to specialised instrumentation, and students can use chemistry library resources and scientific databases to support research projects. 

Students can develop practical and research expertise through:

Faculty-led research: Students can undertake CHEM 1990 Introduction to Research, CHEM 3990 Directed Research and CHEM 4990 Independent Research, working with faculty on research projects and developing skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.
Advanced scientific instrumentation: Fordham's chemistry research facilities include 300 MHz and 400 MHz NMR spectrometers, high-resolution mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, UHPLC, ICPMS, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy.
Protein research equipment: Students involved in relevant research can work in an environment equipped with a GE Healthcare AKTA FPLC Protein Purification System, supporting protein purification research.
Automated laboratory technology: Facilities include a Tecan Genesis RSP liquid-handling robot and TTP Mosquito Multiplex Nanoliter Pipetting System, providing exposure to automated laboratory techniques.
Biochemical research methods: CHEM 3141 Methods of Biochemical Research provides focused preparation in biochemical research methods, while CHEM 4251 Physical and Computational Models of Biochemical Systems adds computational and modelling perspectives.
Instrumental analysis: Students in the ACS track can select CHEM 3722 Instrumental Analysis, which includes lecture and laboratory work covering chemical instrumentation, data generation, spectroscopic analysis and separation techniques.
ChemDraw and ChemOffice: Fordham provides ChemDraw Pro at no cost to students, faculty and staff, with access to downloadable and browser-based ChemOffice tools.
Scientific literature and databases: The Fordham University Library system provides chemistry reference materials, journals and electronic resources; students involved in faculty research can also obtain access to SciFinder-n.
Research communication: Students complete CHEM 4030 Chemistry Seminar during both semesters of their junior and senior years, engaging with contemporary chemical and scientific research.
Summer research: Fordham reports a $4,000 summer stipend for students awarded Summer Research Grants, supporting undergraduate research experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Fordham's Biochemistry major prepares graduates for scientific and health-related careers spanning biotechnology, molecular and cellular biochemistry, clinical biochemistry, forensic science, pharmacology, cosmetics and food technology. The university also reports that 100% of its Biochemistry graduates in the past two years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or another meaningful endeavour within six months of graduation, while 80% pursued advanced degrees.

Typical career roles include Biochemist, Biotechnology Scientist, Clinical Biochemist and Forensic Scientist.

Students can strengthen their career and academic progression through:

Career support: Fordham's Career Center provides lifelong career support and access to a university alumni network of more than 175,000 alumni worldwide. Fordham also guarantees every undergraduate the opportunity to obtain at least one internship, including research and other experiential-learning opportunities.
Graduate outcomes: Fordham reports that 100% of Biochemistry graduates in the past two years reached an employment, further-education, public-service or other meaningful-engagement outcome within six months, and 80% pursued advanced degrees.
University-wide employment data: Across the Class of 2025, Fordham reports 96% were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or another meaningful endeavour within six months, with a $72,500 median starting salary. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to Biochemistry.
Research opportunities: Fordham highlights 13 active faculty-led research labs working on areas including microbial resistance, chemical evolution, bionanotechnology and cosmochemistry, giving Biochemistry students opportunities to participate in current research.
Industry and research exposure: Fordham's department supports undergraduate research in basic and applied science, while students can develop experience in areas connected to biotechnology, biomedical science, pharmacology and bioengineering.
ACS professional recognition: Students completing the ACS-certified track receive a curriculum aligned with American Chemical Society standards, providing an additional professional framework for students pursuing chemistry-related careers and further scientific study.
Research-to-career preparation: Through faculty-mentored research, seminars, advanced laboratory courses and specialised instrumentation, students can build practical experience that supports applications for graduate programmes, professional schools and scientific positions.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, bioengineering and related fields, or apply their scientific foundation to professional schools. Fordham specifically identifies preparation for medicine, dentistry, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences and allied health professions, while the ACS track provides additional preparation for students targeting advanced chemistry and research pathways.