Biochemistry (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

North Carolina State University Raleigh

Program Overview

The Biochemistry, B.S. at North Carolina State University is an interdisciplinary degree that explores the chemical processes of living systems through biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, molecular biology, metabolism, and macromolecular structure. It is particularly suited to students interested in biotechnology, genetics, biomedical and life-science research, or health professions, while combining classroom study with laboratory training and inquiry-based research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIO 181: Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity, BIO 183: Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology, and CH 101/102: Chemistry – A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory. They also begin BCH 103: Introduction to Biochemistry, calculus, academic writing, and the Life Sciences curriculum, building the quantitative and scientific skills needed for advanced biochemistry.

Year 2: The focus moves into more specialized chemistry and supporting sciences through CH 221/222: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab, CH 223/224: Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab, and MB 351/352: General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory. Students also complete physics and mathematics or statistics, strengthening their understanding of the physical principles and biological systems underlying biochemical processes.

Year 3: Students enter the core of the major with BCH 451: Principles of Biochemistry, BCH 452: Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory, and GN 311: Principles of Genetics. They then progress to BCH 453: Biochemistry of Gene Expression, while choosing between advanced laboratory or research experiences such as BCH 454: Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory, BCH 492: External Learning Experience, or BCH 493: Special Problems in Biochemistry.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced molecular and physical concepts through BCH 455: Proteins and Molecular Mechanisms, a cell biology or physiology elective, and physical chemistry options such as CH 431: Physical Chemistry I, CH 331: Introductory Physical Chemistry, or BCH 330: Physical Biochemistry. Students also complete a laboratory-analysis elective, with options including BIT 464: Protein Purification, BIT 465: Real-time PCR Techniques, BIT 476: Applied Bioinformatics, BIT 477: Metagenomics, and BIT 479: High-Throughput Discovery.

Focus areas:

Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, metabolism, macromolecular structure, proteins and molecular mechanisms, gene expression, microbiology, physical biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, laboratory analysis

Learning outcomes:

Students develop knowledge of chemistry, life sciences, physics and mathematics; explain biomolecular structure and function, metabolic processes and their regulation; communicate biochemical concepts effectively; and demonstrate laboratory skills, scientific reasoning and laboratory safety.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The Biochemistry, B.S. program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). This specialized accreditation directly aligns the program with professional standards in biochemistry and molecular biology education.

Reputation (employability rankings):

NC State's official rankings data reports a 2026 U.S. News National Universities ranking of #64, while its 2026 QS subject ranking places Biological Sciences at #180 globally and Life Sciences & Medicine at #200. These are university and subject-level indicators rather than rankings specifically assigned to the Biochemistry B.S. program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

NC State's Biochemistry B.S. is strongly laboratory- and research-oriented, giving students opportunities to apply biochemical concepts through dedicated laboratory courses, research projects and external learning experiences. The curriculum includes BCH 452: Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory, advanced laboratory work, and research options such as BCH 492: External Learning Experience and BCH 493: Special Problems in Biochemistry, allowing students to connect academic knowledge with practical scientific work.

Students can develop specialized technical skills through laboratory-analysis electives covering protein purification, real-time PCR, animal cell culture, PCR and DNA fingerprinting, RNA interference, protein interactions, metagenomics, high-throughput discovery and yeast metabolic engineering. NC State's research infrastructure also includes advanced analytical facilities and instrumentation associated with molecular and structural biochemistry, providing a strong environment for students interested in experimental and interdisciplinary research.

Key hands-on opportunities include:

BCH 452: Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory — foundational experimental biochemistry training.
BCH 454: Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory — advanced laboratory experience within the major.
BCH 492: External Learning Experience — allows students to receive academic credit for relevant external learning experiences.
BCH 493: Special Problems in Biochemistry — an on-campus work-related experience in which students apply coursework to a supervised project and present their research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Protein purification and analysis — laboratory-analysis options include BIT 464: Protein Purification and advanced biochemical analysis.
Molecular techniques — students can study BIT 465: Real-time PCR Techniques, BIT 467: PCR and DNA Fingerprinting, BIT 471: RNA Interference and Model Organisms, and BIT 473: Protein Interactions.
Genomics and bioinformatics — options include BIT 476: Applied Bioinformatics, BIT 477: Metagenomics, and BIT 479: High-Throughput Discovery.
METRIC — the Molecular Education, Technology, and Research Innovation Center provides access to advanced molecular research capabilities including mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.
Core research facilities — NC State's research infrastructure includes the Biomolecular Interactions Core Facility, Cellular and Molecular Imaging Facility, Flow Cytometry & Cell Sorting Facility, Genomic Sciences Laboratory, and METRIC.
Undergraduate research — students can work with faculty research groups; NC State laboratories document undergraduate participation in areas including biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, proteomics and CRISPR-related research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. prepares graduates for employment across biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology and genetics, while also supporting pathways into medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology and related health professions. The program's combination of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, molecular science and laboratory training also provides a strong foundation for graduate-level study and research careers.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Bioinformatics Scientist, Biophysicist, Geneticist, Microbiologist and Molecular and Cellular Biologist.

Students can build their career and postgraduate profile through:

Career development: NC State's Career Development Center provides post-graduation employment and education data, including job titles, salary ranges by major, graduate/professional school destinations and career resources.
Employment and salary information: NC State provides an interactive Post-Graduation Employment Dashboard with outcomes by degree, college and major. Its published salary data also provides major-level salary information; the university advises using the dashboard for the most specific current figures.
Relevant salary benchmark: NC State's published May 2025 bachelor's salary table reports an average salary of $47,839 for Biological Sciences; this is a related field and not a Biochemistry B.S.-specific salary figure, so it should not be treated as the Biochemistry salary.
Industry connections: NC State's Centennial Campus has 70+ corporate, government and nonprofit partners, while the university reports $184 million in research sponsored by industry partners from FY22–FY26.
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem: NC State's biotechnology partners include organizations such as LigaTrap Technologies, Aspa Therapeutics and Adrenas Therapeutics, while its pharmaceutical partner network includes Merck and Collaborations Pharmaceuticals.
Research-to-industry opportunities: NC State's Office of Research Commercialization supports industry collaborations, licensing and co-development of technologies, giving students an institution-wide environment closely connected to scientific innovation and commercialization.
Accreditation value: The program's ASBMB accreditation provides an external professional benchmark specifically for biochemistry and molecular biology education.
Research and academic distinction: The department offers an Honors program for students interested in advanced coursework and/or research, while the H. Robert Horton Award recognizes outstanding scholarly and research achievement in Biochemistry.
Postgraduate preparation: NC State offers an Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's (ABM) pathway allowing qualified students to earn the BS and an MS in Biochemistry or Biochemistry & Biomanufacturing within five years.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into NC State's Master of Biochemistry, Master of Science in Biochemistry, or Ph.D. in Biochemistry. The five-year ABM route provides an accelerated option for qualified undergraduates, while the research-oriented M.S. can prepare students for Ph.D. study or technical employment and the Ph.D. supports research careers in academic, industrial and government environments.