Bachelor's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oregon State University

Program Overview

Oregon State University’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. explores the molecular basis of life, combining biochemistry, molecular genetics, cell biology and bioinformatics to understand processes involving DNA, RNA, proteins and disease. It is well suited to students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, computational biology, medicine, health professions or graduate study, with three options—Advanced Molecular Biology, Computational Molecular Biology, and Pre-Medicine—to tailor the degree to different goals.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build a strong scientific foundation through Introduction to Biochemistry and Biophysics Research, Principles of Biology: Cells, and General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory. The year continues with Principles of Biology: Organisms, General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory, General Chemistry III and General Chemistry III Laboratory, and Differential and Integral Calculus, giving students a broad base in biology, chemistry and quantitative science.

Second Year: Students move into molecular-level study with Cell and Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry, and General Physics, while Introduction to Statistical Methods adds quantitative analysis skills. The year also includes Molecular Biology Laboratory, giving students direct experience applying molecular biology techniques in a laboratory setting.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized through Python for Molecular Biologists, Biochemistry 1: Structure and Function, and Biochemistry 2: Metabolism, combining computational skills with detailed study of biomolecules and metabolic processes. Students then progress to Biochemistry 3: Genetic Biochemistry, alongside courses such as Scientific Theory and Practice, Biological Basis of Neuropathology and Molecular Medicine or other approved interdisciplinary subjects.

Fourth Year: Advanced study focuses on areas such as Cell Biophysics or Macromolecular Structure, Advanced Molecular Genetics, and Biochemistry Laboratory Molecular Techniques. Students also complete Advanced Cell Biology or Evolution, professional development coursework and their selected option courses, allowing the final year to be tailored toward molecular biology, computational biology or pre-medicine.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, cell biology, genomics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, computational molecular biology, protein structure, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, molecular medicine, neuroscience and pre-medicine.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to explain biochemical, molecular, genetic and cellular processes; design and conduct experiments; apply laboratory methods; analyze biological and chemical data; evaluate scientific literature; use databases and computational tools; communicate scientific findings; and recognize ethical responsibilities in scientific research.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

Reputation (employability rankings)

Oregon State does not publish a QS or Guardian program-specific employability ranking for this degree on its official program page. The university does report strong progression into professional and graduate pathways; its official BMB page highlights a 74% medical-school acceptance rate in 2024 for its medical-school pathway.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Oregon State gives Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students multiple ways to move beyond classroom theory into research and professional environments. The major includes laboratory-based coursework, computational training through Python for Molecular Biologists, undergraduate research opportunities, internships, study abroad and access to advanced research facilities used for molecular and biomedical investigations.

Students can develop practical skills through:

Molecular Biology Laboratory: BB 315 Molecular Biology Laboratory provides course-based undergraduate research, including communicating results from protein-expression experiments.
Biochemistry laboratory training: BB 494 Biochemistry Laboratory Molecular Techniques gives students advanced practical experience with molecular techniques.
Computational biology: BB 345 Python for Molecular Biologists develops programming skills applicable to molecular biology and computational research. The Computational Molecular Biology option adds advanced mathematics, statistics, computer science and bioinformatics coursework.
Undergraduate research: Students can work with faculty on research in molecular biophysics and structural biology, protein engineering, cellular and molecular biology, computational biology and bioinformatics. Research credits can also contribute toward upper-division science requirements in the major's options.
Research internships: OSU identifies internships and professional experiences with organizations including Oregon Health & Science University, Genentech, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Amgen Scholars Program, Norton Thoracic Institute, Los Alamos National Laboratory and USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Electron Microscopy Facility: Students have access to advanced imaging infrastructure including an FEI Titan with ChemiSTEM technology, with undergraduate training and education supported by the facility.
Electrophysiology Facility: The facility includes a MED64 multielectrode array and Axon Instruments systems for whole-cell patch-clamp and sharp-electrode recordings.
Macromolecular Interactions Core Facility: Students and researchers can use instrumentation for studying biomolecular structure, stability and interactions through spectroscopy, calorimetry and binding analysis.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility: OSU provides access to the highest-field NMR spectrometers in Oregon, supporting biomolecular and small-molecule NMR analysis.
GCE4All Research Center: Students involved in relevant research can engage with genetic-code-expansion technologies used to investigate health and disease and develop diagnostics and therapeutics.
Study abroad: BMB students can gain international academic and cultural experience through OSU study-abroad opportunities; OSU highlights BMB students undertaking laboratory work and crystallography experiences abroad.
Active-learning groups: OSU's Learning Assistant Program uses small-group, active-learning strategies within STEM courses, providing collaborative learning alongside traditional coursework.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can lead to entry-level laboratory, biotechnology, manufacturing, quality, analytical and clinical-research roles, while also providing preparation for professional and graduate education. Oregon State's recent career information documents alumni working in research, biotechnology, healthcare, clinical research, informatics, education and program management, with employers including Genentech, Lonza, Providence, OHSU, Twist Bioscience and other organizations.

Typical job roles include: Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate, Molecular Biologist

Career services: OSU College of Science provides career development services, career advising, career planning, career readiness resources and internship-search support, helping students connect their scientific training with employment and professional opportunities.
Employment and salary information: OSU's current career information reports national 2025 median wages of $57,510 for biological technicians, $62,930 for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, $103,410 for medical scientists, and $127,410 for biochemists and biophysicists. These are national occupational figures, not salaries specifically earned by Oregon State graduates.
Industry connections: BMB graduates have worked at organizations including Genentech, Lonza, Twist Bioscience, Seres Therapeutics, Discovery Life Sciences, Benchmark Biotech, Providence Health & Services and Thermo Fisher Scientific, covering biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory and healthcare environments.
Research partnerships and experience: Students have gained professional research experience through organizations such as OHSU, Genentech, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory and USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Professional accreditation value: ASBMB accreditation provides external professional recognition of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology curriculum and its alignment with the discipline.
Graduate outcomes: OSU reports BMB alumni progressing to institutions including OHSU, University of Washington, Washington University School of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Boston University, Northwestern University and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Medical and professional pathways: The Pre-Medicine option is designed to meet the requirements for most U.S. medical schools and includes psychology, ethics, social sciences and medically relevant electives such as physiology, microbiology and immunology.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral study in biochemistry, biophysics, cellular and molecular biology, molecular biomedicine, toxicology, cancer biology, immunology, pharmacology, bioinformatics and computational biology. Depending on their chosen option and career goals, graduates can also progress into professional programs such as medicine, pharmacy, genetic counseling and other health professions, with OSU reporting BMB alumni entering institutions including Stanford, UCLA, Johns Hopkins and OHSU.