Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Major in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Loyola University Chicago

Program Overview

Loyola University Chicago’s Biochemistry B.S. combines chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and laboratory science to explore the chemical basis of life, preparing students for careers in biochemistry, industry, academia, medicine, pharmacy, and other professional fields. The program is particularly suited to students who want a strong scientific and research foundation, with advanced study in areas such as biochemistry, physical biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and biological chemistry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin with the foundations of both chemistry and biology through CHEM 160 Chemical Structure and Properties, CHEM 161 Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory, and BIOL 101/111 General Biology I and General Biology I Lab. They continue with CHEM 180 Chemical Reactivity I, CHEM 181 Chemical Reactivity I Lab, BIOL 102/112 General Biology II and General Biology II Lab, and MATH 131/161 Applied Calculus I or Calculus I, developing the quantitative and laboratory skills needed for more advanced biochemistry.

Year 2:
The second year expands students’ understanding of biological systems and chemical reactions through BIOL 282 Genetics, BIOL 251 Cell Biology, and BIOL 283 Genetics Laboratory. Students also progress through CHEM 240 Chemical Reactivity II, CHEM 242 Chemical Synthesis Laboratory, CHEM 260 Quantitative Methods in Chemistry, and PHYS 111/111L and PHYS 112/112L College Physics and Laboratory, connecting molecular science with quantitative and physical principles.

Year 3:
Students move into specialist biochemistry coursework with CHEM 272 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, CHEM 305 Physical Biochemistry for the Biological Sciences, and CHEM 370 Biochemistry I. The spring semester advances this foundation through CHEM 306 Physical Biochemistry Lab, CHEM 307 Inorganic Chemistry, and CHEM 371 Biochemistry II, giving students deeper experience with biochemical systems, laboratory analysis, and the chemistry underlying biological processes.

Year 4:
The final year places greater emphasis on hands-on biochemical experimentation through CHEM 372 Biochemistry Laboratory I and CHEM 373 Biochemistry Laboratory II, alongside two Biochemistry Electives. Students can use these electives to explore subjects such as CHEM 365 Proteomics, CHEM 385 Advanced Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanisms, CHEM 386 The Chemistry of Enzymes, CHEM 388 Biophysical Chemistry, CHEM 323 Medicinal Chemistry, or BIOL 388 Bioinformatics, allowing them to develop a more specialised academic direction.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, chemical structure and reactivity, biomolecules, physical biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, proteomics, enzyme chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biophysical chemistry, bioinformatics, analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, laboratory research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop knowledge of fundamental chemical concepts, understand the chemical basis of life, research and critically evaluate scientific literature, design and conduct experiments, collect and interpret scientific data, operate state-of-the-art equipment used by chemists and biochemists, and communicate scientific findings using evidence-based reasoning.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Biochemistry B.S. is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Loyola states that its BS programs also align with current ACS and American Association of Medical Colleges standards and guidelines, supporting preparation for industrial or academic scientific careers as well as professional pathways such as medicine and pharmacy.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Loyola University Chicago's official 2026 rankings report places the university at #132 among National Universities, #51 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, and #74 for Best Value Schools according to U.S. News & World Report. These are university-level rankings rather than rankings specifically for the Biochemistry B.S.; Loyola's official rankings page does not list a separate undergraduate Biochemistry ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry B.S. gives students substantial opportunities to develop practical laboratory and research skills alongside their academic coursework. Loyola strongly recommends CHEM 300 Undergraduate Research, while the curriculum includes multiple dedicated chemistry, biology, physical biochemistry, and biochemical laboratory courses; students can also complete CHEM 399 Internship in Biochemistry or Chemistry, a supervised placement in settings such as an industrial organisation or national laboratory.

The department also provides access to specialised scientific instrumentation and computational resources, allowing students involved in research to work with equipment and software used by practicing chemists and biochemists:

Undergraduate research — CHEM 300: Students can participate in a faculty-directed research project and receive engaged-learning credit.
Introduction to Chemistry Research — CHEM 300P: Students receive training in chemical safety, research protocols, data recording, instrumentation use, group discussions, presentations, and hands-on research preparation.
Internship — CHEM 399: Students can undertake a supervised field placement outside the classroom, including an industrial setting or national laboratory, applying and extending their chemistry or biochemistry skills. A three-credit placement normally requires at least 150 hours.
Biochemistry laboratories: Required courses include CHEM 306 Physical Biochemistry Laboratory, CHEM 372 Biochemistry Laboratory I, and CHEM 373 Biochemistry Laboratory II, giving students dedicated laboratory experience within the degree.
Shared Instrumentation Facility: Loyola's Chemistry and Biochemistry Department houses specialised instruments including scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption, UV-Vis, FTIR, electrochemistry, and Raman equipment.
NMR/EPR facilities: Students involved in research can benefit from facilities containing three high-resolution NMR spectrometers and an EPR spectrometer, supporting research into molecular structure and dynamics.
Computational resources: The department maintains computational resources including quantum and molecular dynamics software, Mathematica, and ChemDraw.
Bioimaging resources: Additional facilities include fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy through Loyola's Bioimaging Facility, providing access to advanced imaging capabilities relevant to biological and biochemical research.
Interdisciplinary facilities: Students and researchers can also draw on resources in the Quinlan Life Sciences Building, Institute for Environmental Sustainability, and Cudahy Science Hall, including analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatography and ICP-MS.
Research experience opportunities: Loyola's Chemistry and Biochemistry department has offered undergraduate research experiences involving faculty presentations, research mentoring, professional-development sessions, and visits to facilities including Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source.
Faculty mentorship: Every Biochemistry major is assigned a chemistry faculty advisor, with students encouraged to meet with their advisor at least twice each year to discuss coursework, research possibilities, and graduate-school planning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Loyola describes its Biochemistry B.S. as preparation for careers in industry, academia, medicine, pharmacy, and other professional fields, with the BS pathway particularly suited to students planning scientific careers that may continue into graduate training. The combination of ACS accreditation, undergraduate research, advanced laboratory work, and access to specialised instrumentation gives graduates a foundation for scientific employment as well as postgraduate study.

Typical career directions include biochemist, research scientist, laboratory scientist, pharmaceutical scientist:

Career Services: Loyola Career Services provides one-to-one career advising through Handshake, including support with career-path exploration, résumé and cover-letter development, interview practice, and searches for internships, campus employment, and full-time positions.
Internship and job support: Students can use Handshake to search for internships and entry-level jobs, while Career Services also provides mock interviews, job-search preparation, on-campus recruiting, and assistance obtaining research experience.
Student employment: Loyola's student employment and work-study opportunities span 450 campus offices and 30 community-based organisations, giving students additional opportunities to build professional experience while studying.
Employment statistics and salary figures: Loyola's official Biochemistry B.S. page does not publish a programme-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure. Rather than substituting unrelated salary statistics, the university identifies industry, academia, medicine, pharmacy, and other professional schools as progression destinations.
Industry exposure: Loyola's Chemistry and Biochemistry department provides an explicit route into industry through CHEM 399, where students can undertake supervised experience in an industrial setting or national laboratory. The department also states that its BS programmes are designed for students pursuing industrial or academic chemistry/biochemistry careers.
Professional accreditation value: The ACS accreditation of the Biochemistry B.S. provides a recognised professional framework for the degree and complements the programme's laboratory and research preparation.
Research progression: Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in faculty-directed research, and the department offers MS and PhD programmes with specialisations including Analytical, Biological, Chemistry Education, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry.
Medical and professional pathways: Loyola states that its BS programmes provide preparation for medicine, pharmacy, and other professional fields, making the Biochemistry B.S. suitable for students who intend to pursue further professional education after graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
Loyola offers a 5-Year BS/MS in Chemistry or Biochemistry, allowing current undergraduate students to combine their bachelor's and master's study in a compressed pathway. Students can take graduate-level courses during their senior year that count toward both degrees, then complete the remaining graduate coursework in the fifth year.

After the B.S., students can also pursue Loyola's M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a two-year, thesis-based programme covering research areas such as cancer biology, molecular virology, genetics, molecular immunology, and molecular cardiology. Other graduate options include Loyola's M.S. and Ph.D. programmes in Chemistry and biomedical-science pathways including Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.