BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hands-on training is a major part of Michigan State University's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology experience, with the department emphasizing practical laboratory skills and providing opportunities for students to conduct independent research with BMB faculty. Students can progress from introductory biochemical laboratory work to advanced experiments and independent research, while the department also offers an off-campus biochemistry internship and senior-thesis research.

Students work with biochemical methods involving proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and cell organelles, and can develop computational skills through CMSE 201 – Introduction to Computational Modeling and access to the department's Macromolecular Computer Facility. Research infrastructure also includes genomics, proteomics, mass spectrometry, metabolomics, flow cytometry, imaging, NMR, X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy resources.

Practical opportunities include:

• BMB 370 – Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory: Students use quantitative biochemical methods to study proteins and nucleic acids and perform data analysis.

• BMB 471 – Biochemistry Laboratory: Students study enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and cell organelles using biochemical methods and principles.

• BMB 490 – Biochemistry Research: Students participate in a laboratory or library research project under the supervision of a BMB faculty member.

• BMB 491 – Off-Campus/External Biochemistry Internship: Provides supervised professional experience in areas including industry, medicine, pharmacy, science policy, science communication, research, patent law and iGEM.

• BMB 499 – Independent Research/Senior Thesis: Students can undertake independent research culminating in a senior thesis.

• Research presentations: Students can present their work at the annual BMB Undergraduate Poster Session, University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum and other research conferences.

• Computational resources: The Macromolecular Computer Facility supports computational work for BMB researchers and the wider MSU scientific community.

• Genomics and proteomics: MSU's associated research facilities include genomics, proteomics, mass spectrometry and metabolomics resources.

• Structural biology: Students working in the broader BMB research environment can access the 900 MHz NMR Facility, X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-EM Facility.

• Advanced imaging and analysis: Associated facilities include flow cytometry and Imaging-IVIS resources for biological research.

• Research abroad: The department lists a Molecular Biology Study Abroad program in Düsseldorf, Germany among its undergraduate research opportunities.

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology prepares students for employment in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical laboratory, environmental, food and government settings, while also providing a foundation for graduate and professional education. MSU's documented alumni pathways include graduate and professional schools as well as organizations such as Pfizer, the National Institutes of Health, and Sigma-Aldrich.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biophysicist, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Food Scientist:

• Career services: MSU's Career Services Network provides career advising, internship and job-search support, Handshake with thousands of job and internship postings, career events, employer connections, interview preparation and professional-document support.

• Natural Science career support: The College of Natural Science's Experiential Learning Office provides Career Labs, a career-resource library, virtual internship programs and connections to career experiences, alongside one-to-one advising.

• Research and professional preparation: The BMB department provides resources for internships, career events, Handshake, potential employers, pre-professional resources and graduate-school preparation.

• Documented employer pathways: BMB graduates have gone on to Pfizer, conduct research at the National Institutes of Health, and enter employment connected with Sigma-Aldrich.

• Graduate and professional pathways: Alumni have progressed to Harvard Graduate School, the University of Michigan pharmacy doctorate, MSU veterinary medicine, the MSU D.O./Ph.D. Dual Degree Program and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

• Employment outcomes: MSU's university-wide Career Services Network reports outcomes within six months of graduation; the Class of 2025 had a 73% knowledge rate.

• Salary information: MSU's public Career Outcomes system provides starting-salary information where sufficient graduate data are available, but a current program-specific starting-salary figure for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was not identified in the official sources reviewed.

• Graduation value: The degree develops transferable laboratory, quantitative, research and scientific problem-solving skills applicable to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical laboratories, government and research environments.

• Long-term academic value: The curriculum is explicitly designed for students who intend to pursue graduate or professional education, including pathways into medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and research-focused graduate programs.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, biomedical sciences and related fields, or pursue professional education in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. MSU also offers post-baccalaureate research and graduate-preparation opportunities through programs such as the Biochemistry Research Trainee Program and SiGuE: Success in Graduate Education for eligible graduates preparing for research-focused graduate education.