B.S. Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Program Overview

NJIT’s B.S. in Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary program combining chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, physics, and computer science to help students understand the chemical processes underlying life. It suits students interested in biotechnology, biomedical research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals, and laboratory-based careers, with strong emphasis on both scientific theory and practical laboratory skills.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build their scientific foundation through CHEM 125 General Chemistry I, CHEM 125A General Chemistry Lab I, MATH 111 Calculus I, PHYS 111 Physics I, and introductory biology courses. The curriculum also introduces computing through CS 115 Intro to Computer Science I in C++ or BNFO 135 Bioinformatics, giving students an early connection between life sciences, quantitative methods, and technology.

Second Year: Students progress into more specialized chemistry and biology through CHEM 222 Analytical Chemistry, CHEM 243 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 244 Organic Chemistry II, and CHEM 244A Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Courses including MATH 211 Calculus III A, PHYS 121 Physics II, and BIOL 205/206 strengthen the mathematical, physical-science, and biological knowledge required for advanced biochemistry.

Third Year: The program moves directly into advanced biochemical study with CHEM 473 Biochemistry, CHEM 474 Biochemistry II, and CHEM 475 Biochemistry Lab, supported by CHEM 231 Physical Chemistry I and R120:356 Molecular Biology. Students explore biomolecular structure and function, metabolism, genetic information, and laboratory approaches used in biochemistry and biotechnology.

Fourth Year: Students consolidate their specialist knowledge through courses such as CHEM 235A Physical Chemistry Laboratory, CHEM 480 Instrumental Analysis, R120:352 Genetics, and R120:355 Cell Biology, together with technical and general-education requirements. The final stage emphasizes advanced laboratory analysis, genetics, cellular processes, scientific communication, and preparation for professional or graduate-level work.

Focus areas

Biological molecules and molecular interactions, cellular synthesis and degradation, cellular energy metabolism, genetic information, genetic engineering, molecular biology, enzymology, microbiology, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical science, biomedical science, and laboratory research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop in-depth knowledge of biochemical principles and biomolecular processes, stay current with biotechnology and biologic discoveries, apply laboratory knowledge to research settings, collaborate effectively, communicate experimental results through technical reports and presentations, and evaluate scientific literature related to their research interests.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

NJIT’s official accreditation information confirms that the New Jersey Institute of Technology is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) through 2030. NJIT's official B.S. in Biochemistry pages do not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation, so no additional specialized accreditation is claimed here.

Reputation (employability rankings)

NJIT’s official Biochemistry page reports a $55,300 NJIT average starting salary for Biochemistry and a $70,575 national average mid-career salary, while noting that U.S. News & World Report ranked biochemist as the fourth Best Science Job in its 2017 ranking. The ranking is historical rather than a current 2026 ranking, so it should be treated as dated context rather than a current ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

NJIT’s Biochemistry program places strong emphasis on meaningful research and laboratory experience, with students learning how to apply biochemical theory in professional research environments. The department provides undergraduate research through independent study, volunteer and paid research assistantships, while NJIT’s laboratories contain analytical and biochemical instrumentation such as NMR, HPLC, mass spectrometry, FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and gas chromatography.

Students can also gain professional experience through internships and cooperative education, while specialized biomedical research programs allow students to participate in longer-term research projects involving experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication, and thesis work. Key opportunities include:

Undergraduate research: Students can undertake 3-credit independent study, volunteer research assistantships, or paid research assistantships by working directly with faculty researchers.
Provost Undergraduate Research and Innovation Fellowship: NJIT offers a competitive 10-week paid summer fellowship worth $5,000, allowing selected students to conduct research with faculty mentors.
Biochemistry laboratory training: CHEM 475 Biochemistry Lab provides practical laboratory approaches to biochemistry and biotechnology and reinforces concepts covered in the lecture courses.
Instrumental analysis: CHEM 480 Instrumental Analysis gives students advanced exposure to analytical techniques used in scientific laboratories.
NMR instrumentation: Department facilities include Bruker AV-300 MHz and AVIII-500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometers.
Mass spectrometry: Students have access to a GC-MS (gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer) alongside other analytical instrumentation.
Chromatography: Department facilities include HPLC and multiple gas chromatographs, providing exposure to important chemical-analysis techniques.
Spectroscopy: Available equipment includes FTIR, UV/Visible scanning spectrophotometers, and fluorescence spectrometers for chemical and biochemical analysis.
U-RISE biomedical research: NJIT’s Undergraduate Training Program in Biomedical Research combines Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, and Chemistry & Environmental Science, with mentorship, research for credit, an undergraduate thesis, and scientific dissemination.
Life Sciences & Engineering Center: This $19 million research facility includes 10,000 square feet of wet and dry laboratories and 4,000 square feet of collaborative space, supporting multidisciplinary research.
BioSMART Center: The center provides state-of-the-art instrumentation and microfabrication tools, including dedicated wet-lab and biosafety laboratory facilities for biosensor research.
Internships and co-ops: NJIT provides access to more than 26,000 job opportunities through its career resources, with internships and co-ops connecting classroom learning to professional work.
Professional opportunities: NJIT's Career Development Services supports students through Handshake, CareerShift, micro-internships, LinkedIn, NJITWorks, and other job-search resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The NJIT B.S. in Biochemistry prepares graduates for scientific and laboratory careers as well as further study in medicine, medical technology, biopharmaceuticals, health research, and related fields. NJIT specifically identifies career pathways connected with medicine, medical technology, patent law, biopharmaceuticals, chemical industries, advanced-school teaching, and health research, while its Biochemistry career page lists common job titles such as Clinical Study Supply Assistant, Inorganic Analyst, Senior Scientist, and Senior Chemist.

Typical job roles include Clinical Study Supply Assistant, Inorganic Analyst, Senior Scientist, Senior Chemist, with additional opportunities across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, and laboratory organizations. NJIT identifies BD, SGS Accutest Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, and Bristol-Myers Squibb among employers associated with Biochemistry career prospects.

Key progression and career-support opportunities include:

Career Development Services: NJIT provides students with career advising, employer connections, resume support, interview preparation, and access to internship, co-op, and full-time positions.
Co-op opportunities: NJIT reports that nearly 2,600 different companies have hired NJIT students over the past decade, with placements across New Jersey, the wider U.S., and overseas.
Internship outcomes: NJIT reports 2,541 co-ops and internships secured and $17 million earned through internships and co-op programs on its internships and co-ops page.
Salary information: NJIT's Biochemistry page reports a $55,300 NJIT average starting salary and a $70,575 national average mid-career salary for Biochemistry. These figures are presented by NJIT on the program page and are not identified there as a cohort-specific graduate survey.
Employer connections: NJIT identifies BD, SGS Accutest Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, and Bristol-Myers Squibb as top employers associated with its Biochemistry career prospects.
Biomedical research: Students can participate in multidisciplinary research involving Chemistry & Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering through programs such as U-RISE.
Industry-oriented preparation: The interdisciplinary curriculum combines chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, physics, and computer science, helping students develop skills relevant to biotechnology and biopharmaceutical environments.
Long-term accreditation value: NJIT's institutional accreditation by MSCHE is currently maintained through 2030, providing institutional recognition for the university and its academic programs.
Graduate and professional pathways: The program specifically identifies preparation for medicine, medical technology, patent law, biopharmaceuticals, chemical industries, advanced-school teaching, and health research, giving graduates multiple routes for further education or employment.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into graduate or professional education in areas related to biochemistry, chemistry, biology, biomedical science, biotechnology, medicine, and health research. NJIT's interdisciplinary research environment can also provide a foundation for students interested in progressing from undergraduate research into advanced research training.