Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S. (Science)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Pennsylvania State University University Park

Program Overview

Penn State’s Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S. explores the molecular basis of life by combining chemistry, physics, and biology to understand cells, biological molecules, metabolism, genetics, and molecular processes. It is well suited to students who enjoy experimental science and want preparation for research, biotechnology, health professions, government, or further study in areas such as biochemistry, genomics, immunology, pharmacology, and medicine.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific and mathematical foundation for the major through courses such as CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, MATH 140/140B, and MATH 141/141B, alongside introductory microbiology. This stage builds the chemistry, mathematics, and laboratory background needed for later study in molecular and cellular science.

Second Year: Students move more deeply into biological systems through BMB 251: Molecular and Cell Biology I, BMB 252: Molecular and Cell Biology II, and BIOL 322: Genetic Analysis. These courses develop an understanding of cellular organization, molecular mechanisms, and how genetic information is analyzed and transmitted.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes increasingly advanced and analytical, allowing students to build expertise in areas such as molecular genetics, advanced cell biology, immunology, virology, molecular medicine, and physiological biochemistry. Depending on the selected option, students can pursue the quantitative study of biomolecular structure and function through the Biochemistry Option or concentrate on cellular growth, differentiation, signaling, and regulation through the Molecular and Cell Biology Option.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced BMB/MICRB coursework and can undertake research-oriented study such as BMB 490: Undergraduate Research in Cellular Dynamics I, where students work collaboratively on experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation. The program culminates in advanced scientific training that can support entry-level scientific employment or progression to graduate and professional schools.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, cell biology, enzymology, metabolism, macromolecular structure and function, cellular signaling, quantitative biological science, molecular medicine, immunology, virology, biotechnology

Learning outcomes

Students learn to integrate mathematics and the biological, chemical, and physical sciences; communicate scientific information using written, verbal, graphical, and visual methods; locate and critically analyze primary scientific literature and databases; formulate hypotheses, design experiments, use modern biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, and analyze experimental results; and recognize ethical issues and career opportunities within the biological sciences.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Penn State states that this accreditation supports the program's professional preparation and recognizes its alignment with standards in biochemistry and molecular biology education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Penn State's institutional reputation provides additional context for the degree: in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, Penn State was tied at No. 92 globally and No. 23 in the United States, while its QS employer-reputation indicator placed it No. 92 globally and No. 24 in the United States. Penn State also reports a five-star QS rating overall and for employability, although these are university-level measures rather than rankings specifically of the B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places substantial emphasis on learning through laboratory and research experience rather than limiting students to classroom study. Penn State's BMB department reports that more than 75 undergraduate researchers enroll in independent research each semester, with opportunities to work directly with faculty in research laboratories; students can also participate in research-based courses, first-year research experiences, internships, and college-wide co-op opportunities.

Students can gain practical experience through:

BMB 496 – Independent Research: Students can conduct research within a faculty member's laboratory and develop practical research experience; completing the required research experience can also lead toward the Science Research Certificate program (SCIRES).
BMB 490/491 – Cellular Dynamics: Students work as a collaborative research team on a cell and molecular biology topic, learning experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation, with the possibility of progressing to a start-to-finish research project.
BMB 448 – Model Systems in Cell Biology Inquiry: A research-based course that incorporates inquiry into cell biology.
First-Year Research Initiative: BMB offers course-based undergraduate research experiences focused on areas including phage discovery and antibiotic discovery, allowing students to engage with research from an early stage of their degree.
Faculty research laboratories: Available projects cover areas including genomics, genetics, cancer biology, chromatin and gene expression, microbiology, bioinformatics, cell signaling, enzyme mechanisms, aging, metabolism, and molecular medicine.
Modern research techniques: Depending on the research group, students may work with molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, high-throughput sequencing, cell culture, animal studies, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, kinetic techniques, and computational approaches.
Science Internship Program: Eberly College of Science students can earn academic credit while completing internships related to their academic goals through SC 294 or SC 494.
Science Co-op Program: Eligible Eberly science majors can undertake typically two-semester, full-time industry co-ops while remaining full-time students and earning academic credit.
Career and industry networking: Eberly's Office of Science Engagement organizes career fairs and networking events where students can meet science-industry employers and explore internships, co-ops, and employment opportunities.
Research facilities: The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is based at Althouse Laboratory at University Park, with departmental research spanning areas such as genomics, cloning, stem cells, cancer biology, emerging diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Corporate connections: Eberly College of Science has established corporate-engagement initiatives connecting companies with student research, recruitment, internships, co-ops, and professional development. Penn State specifically identifies PPG Industries and Merck among companies with longstanding relationships with the college.
Industry interaction: Eberly's Diversity in STEM Corporate Partners Program has included companies such as GSK and DuPont, providing workshops, networking, and opportunities for students to present research to industry representatives.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can lead toward entry-level scientific roles in industry, government, medical laboratories, and university research, while also providing a foundation for professional and graduate education. Penn State specifically identifies pathways into areas including biomedical research, drug development, genetic engineering, pharmaceutical science, research technology, health professions, science policy, and academic research.

Typical career directions include Biomedical Researcher, Industry Scientist, Research Technician, Drug Development Scientist.

Career services: Eberly College of Science's Office of Science Engagement provides career counseling, résumé reviews, career fairs, networking events, internship support, co-op opportunities, and connections with science-related employers.
Employment and salary information: Penn State's official program page does not publish a B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-specific employment rate or salary figure, so a program-specific statistic should not be substituted with figures from another Penn State degree. The university does provide broader alumni earnings data through its Pennsylvania earnings resources.
University–industry connections: Eberly College of Science maintains corporate-engagement activities involving research, recruitment, internships, co-ops, and professional development. Penn State identifies longstanding corporate relationships with PPG Industries and Merck, while its Diversity in STEM program has included GSK and DuPont.
Accreditation value: The program's ASBMB accreditation provides an externally recognized professional framework for the B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Graduation outcomes: Penn State states that graduates are prepared for employment in industry, government, medical, and university research laboratories, while many continue into graduate or professional schools.
Professional-school preparation: The degree can support progression toward medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary education, as well as law and business studies.
Graduate research: Penn State identifies graduate pathways including M.S. and Ph.D. study in biochemistry and related fields such as biology, bioinformatics, chemistry, genomics, immunology, neurobiology, toxicology, and pharmacology.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress to M.S. or Ph.D. programs, including graduate study in biochemistry, biology, bioinformatics, chemistry, genomics, immunology, neurobiology, toxicology, or pharmacology. Other routes include medical school (MD/DO), dental school, optometry school, pharmacy school, physical therapy school, veterinary school, or further education in law or business.