Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Indiana University Bloomington

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Indiana University Bloomington brings chemistry and biology together to explore the chemical processes of living organisms, giving students the scientific depth needed to understand and solve biological problems. It is particularly suited to students interested in scientific research, graduate study, medical or dental school, and research careers in industry or government laboratories.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics through courses such as CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I, CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II, and BIOL-L 101 Introduction to Biological Sciences. Early laboratory coursework such as CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I and CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II introduces students to practical scientific methods.

Year 2: Students progress into organic chemistry and molecular biology through CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry 1 Lectures, CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry 2 Lectures, and BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology. Laboratory training continues through CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 and CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2, strengthening experimental and analytical skills.

Year 3: The curriculum moves into advanced biochemistry and physical chemistry, including CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry, CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism, and CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism. Students can also broaden their knowledge through subjects such as genetics, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, genomics and microbiology.

Year 4: Students develop advanced laboratory and research capabilities through CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory, which includes biomolecule isolation, purification, enzyme kinetics and characterization using techniques such as electrophoresis, centrifugation, spectroscopy and chromatography. Research-focused students can also pursue CHEM-C 409 Chemical Research, while advanced electives allow further specialization in areas such as bioinformatics, genomics, nanomedicine, immunology and virology.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, physical biochemistry, biomolecular structure and function, metabolism, genetics, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, genomics, microbiology, nanomedicine, virology, chemical research and biotechnology.

Learning outcomes

Students develop a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics while learning to understand biomolecules, metabolic processes and molecular mechanisms. The program also develops laboratory techniques, scientific problem-solving, quantitative analysis, research skills and the ability to apply modern biochemical methods to biological questions.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry is designed to prepare students for graduate-level research and professional schools including medicine and dentistry, as well as research positions in industry and government laboratories. IU's Department of Chemistry states that its B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry are certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and prepare students for graduate school and industrial positions.

Reputation (employability rankings)

IU Bloomington's official career information identifies biochemistry-related opportunities including biochemists and biophysicists, medical scientists, clinical research coordinators, biologists, microbiologists, biochemical engineers and natural sciences managers. The university's official program page also emphasizes the B.S. as preparation for scientific research and a broad range of research-oriented careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

IU Bloomington gives Biochemistry B.S. students opportunities to move from classroom theory into faculty-led scientific research. Students can join research groups and work alongside faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, developing hands-on experience with modern research techniques, scientific problem-solving and professional communication.

The department also provides access to specialized biochemical and analytical facilities, including the Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility, Macromolecular Crystallography Facility, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Structure Center, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance facilities. These resources expose students to instrumentation and techniques used in contemporary biochemical research.

Students can develop practical experience through:

CHEM-X 399 Chemical Research — faculty-mentored undergraduate research for academic credit.
CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone — advanced research involving a written thesis and oral presentation.
CHEM-C 409 Chemical Research — research opportunity included among the B.S. Biochemistry electives.
CHEM-C 486 Biological Chemistry Laboratory — practical work involving biomolecule isolation, purification, enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis, centrifugation, spectroscopy and chromatography.
ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I (CHEM-X 150) — team-based guided research conducted with faculty.
Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility — access to instruments including microscale thermophoresis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, isothermal titration calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, real-time PCR and multi-angle light scattering.
Macromolecular Crystallography Facility — research infrastructure supporting structural biology and biomolecular research.
Biochemistry Resource Room — equipped with an autoclave, centrifuge and heated shaker.
Mass Spectrometry and NMR facilities — specialized analytical resources supporting biochemical and molecular research.
Team-based research — IU Bloomington enables undergraduates to work with faculty, graduate students and peers and to present or publish research findings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares graduates for research-focused careers and for continued education in scientific and professional fields. IU identifies career areas including biochemistry, biomedical research, clinical research, microbiology, biological science, biochemical engineering and natural-science management.

Typical job roles include:

Biochemist
Biophysicist
Clinical Research Coordinator
Medical Scientist

Students can strengthen their transition from study to employment through:

Career support: The Walter Center for Career Achievement serves College of Arts and Sciences students with career coaching, employer connections, internships, job opportunities and industry-focused career communities.
Handshake: IU Bloomington's career platform connects students with employers, job postings, career events and appointments with career coaches.
Research-to-career preparation: CHEM-X 399 and CHEM-X 499 provide faculty-mentored research experience, with the capstone including a written thesis and oral presentation.
Industry preparation: IU's Department of Chemistry states that the ACS-certified B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry prepare students for industrial positions as well as graduate study.
Professional-school preparation: The university specifically identifies medical, dental and other professional schools as progression options for the Biochemistry B.S.
Research opportunities: IU Bloomington allows students to participate in research teams from early in their undergraduate studies and present discoveries at conferences, publish in journals and participate in research exhibitions and symposiums.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into IU's graduate programs in Biochemistry, including the M.S. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry, or pursue graduate study in related areas such as molecular biology and biological sciences. The B.S. also provides preparation for professional programs including medicine and dentistry, while the ACS-certified curriculum supports progression into research-oriented graduate and industrial pathways.