B.S. Biochemistry

Georgetown's B.S. Biochemistry program gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into hands-on laboratory investigation. Students can begin research early through credit-bearing research courses, the Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP) or volunteer research, while the Honors pathway provides a sustained multi-term research experience culminating in a senior thesis and presentation.

Students work with faculty-directed research groups and can receive training on sophisticated analytical and computational equipment. Department facilities include instrumentation for chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy, mass spectrometry, NMR, X-ray diffraction and computational chemistry, giving students exposure to techniques used in modern biochemical and chemical research.

Key practical and research opportunities include:

• Credit-bearing undergraduate research: Students can enroll in Chemistry Research (CHEM 3709 or 3809) and gain hands-on laboratory research experience under faculty supervision.

• GU Research Opportunities Program (GUROP): Students can participate in Georgetown's undergraduate research program, including opportunities to become involved in research early in their degree.

• Honors research and thesis: Honors students complete Honors Research I (CHEM 4809), Honors Research II (CHEM 4909) and Honors Thesis (CHEM 4999), together with a senior presentation of their research.

• Advanced laboratory methods: The curriculum includes Analytical Methods with Lab (CHEM 3100 & 3105), Experimental Methods in Biochemistry (CHEM 3805) and Experimental Methods in Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 4505).

• Analytical instrumentation: Students and researchers have access to HPLC, FTIR, GC, GC/MS, LC/MS, ICP/MS, UV-Vis, fluorometers, circular dichroism, Raman, NMR and X-ray diffraction facilities.

• Advanced computational tools: Georgetown provides access to high-performance computing resources and advanced chemistry software, while undergraduate students learn to use Spartan in relevant courses.

• Research techniques: Department research groups use techniques including liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy, live-cell fluorescence imaging, cell and tissue culture and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

• Interdisciplinary facilities: Research groups have access to facilities and equipment associated with the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown Nanoscience and Microtechnology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Georgetown University Medical Center Biomedical Research.

• Faculty mentoring: Undergraduate research is typically conducted under close supervision of experienced laboratory researchers, giving students practical exposure to experimental design, data collection and interpretation.

The B.S. Biochemistry degree provides rigorous preparation for scientific research, biotechnology, healthcare and advanced study. Georgetown specifically highlights pathways into graduate study in biochemistry and related sciences, medical and M.D.-Ph.D. programs, dentistry, veterinary medicine, industry, government, academia and research.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biomedical Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher and Laboratory Scientist, with additional possibilities across healthcare, biotechnology, government, academia and scientific research.

Students can build their career pathway through:

• Career support: Georgetown's Cawley Career Education Center provides Career Exploration Counselors and Industry Advisors, while Handshake can be used to connect students with career resources and opportunities.

• Alumni networking: Hoya Gateway connects students with Georgetown alumni for networking and career conversations; Georgetown reports an alumni network of approximately 130,000 people on its career guidance page.

• Employment and graduate outcomes: Georgetown's Class of 2025 university-wide report shows a 94% career outcomes rate within six months of graduation. This includes graduates who were employed, pursuing internships, military or volunteer service, or continuing education, and is not a Biochemistry-specific statistic.

• Salary information: Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce reports a $98,000 median earning level for STEM bachelor's-degree fields among prime-age workers nationally; this is broader STEM data rather than a Georgetown Biochemistry-specific salary figure.

• Research and industry ecosystem: The Chemistry Department's research environment is connected to facilities and scientific organizations including the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center Biomedical Research, the Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology and the Georgetown Nanoscience and Microtechnology Laboratory.

• Washington, D.C. location: Georgetown notes that its Chemistry Department is located close to major scientific research centers including the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Standards and Technology and Naval Research Laboratory, providing a strong surrounding scientific ecosystem.

• Long-term professional preparation: Georgetown states that the program prepares students for graduate study, medical and M.D.-Ph.D. programs, dentistry, veterinary medicine, industry, government, academia and research.

• Graduate and professional outcomes: Georgetown's Biochemistry career guidance identifies medical school, graduate study, industrial careers, academic careers, research careers, law school and graduate business study among possible directions for graduates.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology and other basic medical sciences. The degree also provides preparation for medical school, M.D.-Ph.D., dental and veterinary programs, with Georgetown specifically identifying the B.S. Biochemistry degree as particularly suited to students aspiring to M.D.-Ph.D. programs.