Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Marquette University

Program Overview

Marquette University’s Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology combines biology and chemistry to help students understand the molecular mechanisms underlying living systems, with applications spanning medicine, agriculture, ecology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The programme is particularly suited to students who enjoy biology, chemistry, mathematics and laboratory work and want to build a strong foundation for scientific careers, research or graduate and professional study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 1001 General Biology 1, BIOL 1002 General Biology 2, and CHEM 1001 General Chemistry 1, alongside mathematics and Marquette Core Curriculum courses. These subjects introduce the fundamental principles of biological systems and chemistry while developing the quantitative and analytical skills needed for later laboratory-based study.

Year 2: Students move into more specialised biological and chemical concepts with courses such as BIOL 3201 Genetics, BIOL 3301 Cell Biology, and CHEM 2111/2113 Organic Chemistry. This stage develops an understanding of inheritance, cellular processes and chemical structures while strengthening the connection between biological phenomena and their underlying chemistry.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly advanced and research-oriented through CHEM 3201 Foundations of Analytical Chemistry, CHEM 4530 Biochemistry 1: Macromolecular Structure and Function, and BIOL 4532 Biochemistry 2: Bioenergetics and Metabolism. Students also begin upper-level laboratory and physics coursework, allowing them to investigate biological molecules, energy pathways and analytical methods in greater depth.

Year 4: Students complete advanced laboratory and molecular biology study through courses such as BIOL 4302 Experimental Molecular Cell Biology and BIOL 4102 Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, or approved upper-division alternatives. The final year brings together biochemical, molecular and experimental knowledge and provides opportunities to deepen expertise through electives, research or internship experiences.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, bioenergetics, metabolism, molecular structure and function, experimental biology, quantitative analysis and biological research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand biological systems at the molecular level, connect chemical mechanisms with biological processes, conduct and analyze experiments, interpret scientific data, communicate scientific findings and apply biochemical and molecular biology concepts to research and professional problems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Marquette’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. has full accreditation from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) through December 31, 2029. The accreditation is an outcomes-based recognition of the quality of undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology education and supports the programme’s emphasis on scientific knowledge, laboratory experience and professional preparation.

Reputation (Employability)

Marquette reports that graduates have progressed to advanced graduate and professional schools and that employed graduates have joined organisations including Advocate Aurora Health, Caris Life Sciences, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Eurofins Scientific, Houston Cancer Institute, Medline Industries, Northwestern Medicine, ScribeAmerica and the University of Wisconsin. The university also highlights biotechnology, pharmaceutical and environmental research as career areas for graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience by working directly with faculty researchers and using facilities shared by Marquette’s Biological Sciences and Chemistry departments. The programme combines laboratory-based coursework with opportunities for internships and independent research, including work with recombinant DNA, protein electrophoresis and bioinformatics, while specialised facilities support tissue culture, plant growth and advanced spectroscopy.

Students can build hands-on expertise through:

Experimental laboratory courses: Students can complete BIOL 4102 Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or BIOL 4302 Experimental Molecular Cell Biology, giving them direct experience with experimental approaches in molecular and cellular science.
Research with faculty mentors: Junior and senior students can undertake independent research projects with faculty mentors, including planning experiments and developing research proposals; some undergraduate research can lead to publications with faculty mentors.
Recombinant DNA and protein analysis: Undergraduate researchers work with techniques involving recombinant DNA and protein electrophoresis, building practical molecular biology skills.
Bioinformatics: Students involved in undergraduate research can gain experience with bioinformatics alongside laboratory techniques.
Advanced spectroscopy facilities: Students have access to spectroscopy resources including laser spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray diffraction facilities through the combined strengths of the Chemistry and Biological Sciences departments.
Tissue culture and plant growth facilities: These facilities support experimental work involving biological systems and provide additional environments for research-based learning.
Internships: Programme-specific internships can place students in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, environmental and conservation nonprofits, educational organisations, government organisations and scientific policy or advocacy organisations.
Research-based honours experience: Students accepted into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Disciplinary Honors programme complete research experiences, internships, research-based laboratory courses and accompanying seminars.
Research presentation opportunities: Undergraduate research can give students opportunities to present their findings at regional or national conferences and develop scientific communication skills.
Career-supported internship preparation: Marquette’s Career Center assists students with internship searches, résumé and cover-letter preparation, practice interviews and networking strategies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Marquette’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. provides preparation for employment in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, environmental research and laboratory science, while also supporting progression into graduate and professional schools. Recent graduates have moved into organisations such as Advocate Aurora Health, Caris Life Sciences, Eurofins Scientific, Northwestern Medicine and research and healthcare institutions, while others have continued their education through advanced degrees.

Typical job roles include Biochemist, Molecular Biology Researcher, Laboratory Researcher and Biotechnology Research Associate.

Students can strengthen their career preparation through:

Career Center support: Marquette’s Career Center provides career counselling, major and career exploration, résumé and cover-letter reviews, practice interviews, networking guidance, internship and job-search strategies, and graduate/professional school preparation.
Handshake: Students can use Marquette’s Handshake platform to search for internship and employment opportunities from thousands of employers, schedule career appointments and access career events.
Internship opportunities: Biochemistry and molecular biology students can gain professional experience through internships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, environmental organisations, government and scientific policy organisations.
Research experience: Faculty-guided undergraduate research provides experience in molecular biology, biochemistry and related fields and can include independent projects, experimental planning and scientific presentations.
Employment outcomes: Marquette’s programme page identifies actual employers of recent graduates, including Advocate Aurora Health, Caris Life Sciences, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Eurofins Scientific, Medline Industries, Northwestern Medicine and the University of Wisconsin.
Salary information: Marquette’s official Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programme pages reviewed do not publish a programme-specific graduate salary figure, so no salary value is stated here.
Industry connections: Students can gain professional experience through internships in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, environmental, conservation, government and scientific policy settings, while Marquette’s research programmes maintain collaborations with organisations including the Medical College of Wisconsin, UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee.
Long-term accreditation value: The programme’s full ASBMB accreditation through December 31, 2029 provides external recognition of its biochemistry and molecular biology education and outcomes-based programme quality.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter scientific and healthcare-related employment or continue into graduate and professional education, with Marquette specifically noting advanced-degree progression among many graduates.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue graduate degrees in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, biological sciences, chemistry or related biomedical sciences. The degree also provides a foundation for professional pathways in fields such as medicine and other health-related programmes, while Marquette offers a five-year B.S./M.B.A. accelerated programme allowing eligible students to combine the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. with an M.B.A.