BA and BS in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Miami University Oxford

Program Overview

Miami University’s Biochemistry major is designed for students who want to understand how chemistry drives life processes at the molecular level, combining chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, and laboratory science. Students can choose the flexible B.A. pathway for health sciences, teaching, or interdisciplinary interests, or the more research-oriented B.S. pathway for professional scientific careers, biotechnology, and graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish a strong scientific foundation through courses such as CHM 141 College Chemistry I, CHM 142 College Chemistry II, CHM 144M College Chemistry Laboratory for Majors, MTH 151 Calculus I, MTH 251 Calculus II, and BIO 116. This stage develops the core chemistry, mathematics, laboratory, and biological knowledge needed for advanced biochemistry study.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into more specialized chemistry and supporting sciences through CHM 241/251 Organic Chemistry, CHM 254 Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Chemistry Majors, CHM 242/252 Organic Chemistry, CHM 255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and PHY 191/192 Physics. Students begin connecting chemical structure and reactivity with physical and biological systems while strengthening their laboratory skills.

Third Year: Students progress into advanced biochemistry and analytical science with courses such as CHM 432 Fundamentals of Biochemistry, CHM 471 Biophysical Chemistry I, CHM 472 Biophysical Chemistry II, and CHM 375 Analytical Chemistry for Majors. B.S. students also complete advanced chemistry and biology coursework, giving them a stronger preparation for research, biotechnology, and professional scientific work.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes advanced specialization and the application of scientific knowledge through Biochemistry Special Topics, CHM 438 Biochemistry Laboratory, advanced CHM courses, and CHM 491 or CHM 492 as the capstone. Students can use this stage to consolidate their laboratory, research, scientific communication, and problem-solving skills before entering employment, professional school, or graduate study.

Focus areas

Pre-health Sciences; Biotechnology & Computational Modeling; Bioengineering.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to explain and synthesize chemistry concepts in laboratory research scenarios, evaluate methodologies presented in peer-reviewed chemistry and biochemistry literature or student research, and produce clear, well-organized literature critiques and laboratory reports.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and was created in accordance with American Chemical Society guidelines. The B.S. is designed for students seeking professional scientific careers, while the B.A. provides greater flexibility for professional-school preparation, teaching, double majors, and other interests.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Miami University’s official 2025–26 report card lists it No. 2 among public universities for teaching undergraduates, No. 10 for internships, No. 6 for long-term success, and No. 26 for four-year graduation rate. These are university-wide measures rather than Biochemistry-specific rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Miami University gives Biochemistry students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom learning through undergraduate research, laboratory work, internships, mentoring, and capstone experiences. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry encourages undergraduates to join faculty research groups, where students can work on genuine research projects and gain experience with advanced instrumentation rather than only classroom-based laboratory exercises.

Students can also develop professional experience through the department’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Internship Program, alumni mentorship, and Miami’s wider experiential-learning opportunities, including internships, research, job-shadow programs, and career treks.

Key opportunities and facilities include:

Undergraduate research: Students can join faculty research groups and work on individual projects or alongside graduate researchers. Research can lead to presentations, publications, and conference opportunities.
Research-based capstone: Students can complete CHM 492 Independent Research Capstone, providing a structured opportunity to apply research skills at an advanced level.
Biochemistry laboratory: CHM 438 Biochemistry Laboratory provides advanced laboratory experience within the degree curriculum.
Hughes Laboratories: The department is based in Hughes Laboratories, which contains modern teaching and research laboratories and specialized instrumentation.
High Field Magnetic Resonance Laboratory: Students have access to research infrastructure including high-field NMR capabilities, with the department operating instruments ranging from 200–850 MHz.
Ohio Advanced EPR Laboratory: The department provides access to advanced electron paramagnetic resonance research facilities.
Mass Spectrometry Facility: Research instrumentation includes MALDI-TOF, LC-MS, GC-MS, and ICP-MS, with users encouraged to receive training and gain hands-on experience.
X-ray diffraction: The department also houses X-ray diffractometers for advanced structural research.
Electronic research tools: Undergraduate research uses SciNote, an electronic notebook platform used for research record keeping in departmental projects.
Internships and mentoring: The Chemistry and Biochemistry Internship Program works with the department’s Alumni Board and the Center for Career Exploration and Success to connect students with meaningful internship opportunities, while the alumni mentorship program pairs students with professionals in the field.
Student Success Center: The department’s Student Success Center provides space for individual and group study, meetings, tutoring, advising, and career-related activities.
Business, Engineering and Science Library: Hughes Laboratories is located next to the Business, Engineering and Science Library, providing convenient access to academic resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Biochemistry degree from Miami University can lead toward scientific employment, biotechnology and pharmaceutical work, government laboratories, healthcare professions, or further academic study. The department reports that graduates pursue careers across industry, life and health sciences, teaching, medicine, graduate study, pharmacy, and law, while the B.A. and B.S. pathways allow students to shape the degree around their intended direction.

Typical career directions include biochemist/scientist, pharmaceutical industry professional, clinical or biomedical researcher, biotechnology professional, with additional pathways in government laboratories, medical sales, consulting, bioinformatics, toxicology, quality assurance, and biomedical engineering.

Key progression and career-support opportunities include:

Career and internship support: The Chemistry and Biochemistry Internship Program works with the Center for Career Exploration and Success (CCES) and the department’s Alumni Board to connect students with internship opportunities.
Alumni mentorship: The department’s Alumni Mentorship Program pairs students with alumni working professionally in the field, helping students build professional relationships and plan their next steps.
Medical-school preparation: Miami reports that 70% of its Chemistry and Biochemistry majors who applied were accepted into medical school during the last two years, compared with a reported national acceptance rate of 42%.
Pre-health support: The Mallory-Wilson Center for Healthcare Education provides discipline-specific advising for medicine, dentistry, physician associate and other healthcare professions.
Broader professional-school pathways: Miami identifies medical, dental, veterinary, physician-assistant, and pharmacy schools as pathways aligned with its Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
Graduate and professional study: Graduates can continue into master’s or Ph.D. programs in biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics and related areas, as well as medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, physician-assistant, or law programs.
Employment and salary context: Miami University reports that 99% of its 2021–22 graduates were employed or continuing their education by fall 2022, while university-wide alumni salary figures reported by Miami include an early-career median of $61,000 and a mid-career median of $118,400. These are university-wide figures, not Biochemistry-specific salary figures.
Long-term value: The B.S. Biochemistry’s ASBMB accreditation provides external professional recognition of the program’s scientific preparation.
Industry and government pathways: Miami identifies opportunities in pharmaceutical industry roles and government laboratories including the National Institutes of Health, FDA, and EPA, alongside careers in consulting and other scientific fields.

Further Academic Progression: Students can progress into Miami University’s M.S. or Ph.D. programs in Chemistry, or pursue graduate programs in biochemistry, biophysics and related disciplines. Students interested in healthcare can use the Biochemistry major alongside Miami’s pre-health pathway before applying to medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or physician-assistant programs.