Biochemistry (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgia Institute of Technology

Program Overview

Georgia Tech’s B.S. in Biochemistry combines biological and physical sciences with a technology-focused curriculum, giving students a strong foundation in biochemical principles and their application to real-world problems. The program is well suited to students interested in research, biotechnology, healthcare, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, or graduate study, with flexible options including Pre-Health, Business, Research, and International pathways.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through introductory chemistry, biology, mathematics, and laboratory-based study. Courses such as CHEM 1211K Chemical Principles I and CHEM 1212K Chemical Principles II introduce core chemical concepts alongside laboratory work, preparing students for more advanced biochemistry and biological science courses. Georgia Tech's first-year chemistry sequence includes linked laboratory components delivered in state-of-the-art facilities.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialized chemistry and biological science coursework while developing the analytical skills needed to understand biochemical systems. Coursework can include subjects such as Organic Chemistry and Biology, building the foundation needed for upper-level biochemical, molecular, and laboratory studies.

Year 3: The curriculum moves further into advanced biochemical and chemical concepts, with students able to explore areas such as Biochemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, and related biological or chemical electives. Students interested in research can begin substantial faculty-supervised research through courses such as CHEM 4698/4699 Undergraduate Research Assistantship/Undergraduate Research, while technical electives allow the degree to be tailored toward individual interests.

Year 4: Students consolidate their knowledge through advanced technical electives, research, and specialized options aligned with their career plans. The Research Option can include CHEM 4698/4699, LMC 4701 Undergraduate Research Proposal Writing, and LMC 4702 Undergraduate Research Thesis Writing, while eligible students can also use the BSMS Option to double-count up to six approved graduate-level credits.

Focus areas:

Biochemical principles, biological sciences, chemical sciences, molecular and cellular systems, biotechnology, pre-health sciences, research, bioinformatics and computing, biomedical science, business applications, medicinal chemistry, molecular biophysics, computational chemistry.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop competence in the biological and physical sciences, a strong understanding of biochemical principles, analytical and critical-thinking skills, laboratory and research experience, and the ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems. The Research Option further develops experiment design, execution, interpretation of results, proposal development, scientific writing, and research communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The B.S. in Biochemistry is recommended by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Georgia Tech states that the program also provides preparation for medical, dental, graduate, law, and pharmacy school, with a dedicated Pre-Health option for students pursuing healthcare professions.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Georgia Tech reports a No. 3 ranking for Co-op and Internship Programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report undergraduate rankings, as well as No. 19 for Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects. The university also reports No. 1 in Career Placement and No. 2 for Internships from The Princeton Review. These are institution-wide measures rather than rankings specifically for the Biochemistry B.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Georgia Tech gives Biochemistry students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom learning through undergraduate research, laboratory courses, cooperative education, internships, teaching, and international experiences. The program's research pathway allows students to work directly with faculty on projects ranging from biological and medicinal chemistry to molecular biophysics and computational chemistry, while the School's teaching and research facilities provide access to advanced analytical infrastructure such as NMR and mass spectrometry.

Students can also gain professional experience through Georgia Tech's Co-op Program and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry's Undergraduate Internship Program, while study-abroad opportunities provide an international dimension to their scientific education. The School reports that approximately 25% of its undergraduates participate in research during a given semester, with research courses available from the freshman/sophomore level through junior/senior study.

Students can develop practical experience through:

Undergraduate research: CHEM 2698/2699 and CHEM 4698/4699 allow students to participate in supervised research, with three hours in the research laboratory required for one credit of coursework.
Research Option: Students complete supervised research over at least three semesters, prepare a research proposal, and complete an approved thesis; Georgia Tech notes that students contributing to completed studies are expected to be considered for co-authorship on scholarly submissions.
Biochemistry laboratories: Freshman chemistry laboratories are located in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, while upper-level undergraduate teaching laboratories are located in the Boggs Building.
NMR facilities: The Campus NMR Center provides access to solution NMR instruments up to 800 MHz and solid-state NMR capabilities up to 700 MHz, supporting advanced molecular analysis.
Mass spectrometry: Georgia Tech's Mass Spectrometry Facility provides molecular mass analysis and operates laboratories in the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences and the Krone Engineered Biosystems Building.
Research institutes: Biochemistry research is supported by facilities including the Institute for Bioscience and Bioengineering (IBB), where many of the School's biochemists conduct research.
Co-op and internships: Students can gain employment experience through Georgia Tech's Co-op Program and conduct supervised research or professional experience through the School's Undergraduate Internship Program.
International experience: The International Plan combines foreign-language proficiency, international coursework, and a study or research-abroad experience, normally during the junior year.
Research presentation: Georgia Tech supports undergraduate researchers through PURA awards and school/college travel awards for presenting research at regional and national professional meetings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Georgia Tech B.S. in Biochemistry can prepare graduates for scientific careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, government, research, education, consulting, and other technical sectors. The university also specifically highlights progression into medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, graduate, law, and other professional programs, while the Research Option can provide particularly relevant preparation for graduate study and research careers.

Typical career directions include Research Scientist, Lab Manager, Biochemist/Biophysicist, Physician/Medical Doctor, as well as professional pathways such as pharmacist, dentist, veterinarian, physical therapist, lawyer, and college professor.

Students can build their professional pathway through:

Career development: Georgia Tech provides access to the Georgia Tech Career Center, while the School supports co-op, internship, research, and international opportunities that can add practical experience to a student's résumé.
Employment experience: Georgia Tech identifies its co-op and internship programs as major experiential opportunities, and the university's 2026 rankings page reports No. 3 nationally for co-op and internship programs in the U.S. News undergraduate rankings.
Salary information: Georgia Tech's Biochemistry degree page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures of $50,000 for B.S.-level biochemist or biophysicist roles, $91,190 for Ph.D.-level biochemist/biophysicist roles, $104,860 for physician assistants, and $92,490 for college professors. These are occupational salary figures rather than guaranteed Georgia Tech graduate salaries.
Industry and research exposure: Georgia Tech's School of Chemistry and Biochemistry identifies healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials/polymers, personal-care products, government, consulting, business, law, and marketing among sectors where chemistry and biochemistry graduates can work.
Research progression: Students completing the Research Option often continue into graduate studies in chemical or biological sciences or research careers in industrial and governmental laboratories.
Professional-school preparation: The curriculum can support admission preparation for medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, physical therapy, graduate, and law programs, with a dedicated Pre-Health concentration available.
Graduation credentials: Students completing the Research Option receive the designation on their transcript, while students completing the International Plan receive an International Plan designator on their diploma.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral study in chemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, and related fields, or progress to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, or law. Georgia Tech also offers a BSMS Option, allowing eligible Biochemistry students to double-count up to six approved graduate credits toward the undergraduate and graduate degrees; students may apply after earning at least 30 Georgia Tech credits, with a minimum 3.3 undergraduate GPA and fewer than 90 total credits.