Chemistry: Biochemistry - Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Portland State University

Program Overview

The Biochemistry, B.S. at Portland State University is designed for students who want to build careers in the life sciences by combining quantitative chemistry and physical science with biology and the chemical processes underlying living systems. It is a strong fit for students interested in research, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, scientific communication or other life-science fields, with the programme combining rigorous coursework and hands-on teaching and research laboratory experiences.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through CH 221Z, CH 222Z and CH 223Z General Chemistry I–III, supported by the corresponding laboratory courses CH 227Z, CH 228Z and CH 229Z. Alongside chemistry, MTH 251Z, MTH 252Z and MTH 253Z develop the calculus skills needed for the quantitative side of biochemistry; PSU identifies completion of the general chemistry and calculus sequences as the first-year milestone.

Second Year: Students move into more advanced chemical and physical science through CH 334 Organic Chemistry I, CH 335 Organic Chemistry II and CH 336 Organic Chemistry III, together with CH 320 Quantitative Analysis and laboratory courses CH 321, CH 337 and CH 339. The year also includes calculus-based physics through PH 211, PH 212 and PH 213 with laboratory components, completing the programme's organic chemistry and physics sequences.

Third Year: The curriculum shifts decisively into biochemistry and biological sciences through BI 221Z Principles of Biology: Cells, BI 222Z Principles of Biology: Organisms and BI 223Z Principles of Biology: Ecology and Evolution. Students simultaneously progress through CH 490 Biochemistry: Structure and Function, CH 491 Biochemistry: Enzymology and Metabolism, and CH 492 Biochemistry: Nucleic Acids and Biological Information Flow, followed by CH 493 Biochemistry Laboratory, where they develop practical techniques including enzyme purification and characterisation.

Fourth Year: Students deepen their understanding of chemical measurement and physical chemistry through CH 440 Physical Chemistry I, CH 441 Physical Chemistry II, CH 426 Instrumental Analysis and CH 427 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory. The final stage also includes a Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis, giving students an opportunity to bring together their scientific knowledge and complete an advanced piece of academic work.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, biological chemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, quantitative analysis, physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, molecular biology, biological systems, enzymology, metabolism, nucleic acids, protein structure and function, scientific research and laboratory science.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to interpret experimental results, maintain accurate laboratory records, understand chemical structures and reactivity, apply concepts such as bonding, quantum theory and thermodynamics, analyse chemical systems using spectroscopy, read and interpret primary scientific literature, plan and execute experiments, synthesise and characterise compounds, and use modern laboratory instruments including NMR, IR, UV-visible and atomic-absorption spectrometers, chromatographs and electrochemical instruments.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The curriculum, faculty, library and facilities of PSU's Department of Chemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). PSU states that graduating chemistry majors are eligible for certification to become members of the ACS after two years of professional service; the university does not separately describe the Biochemistry B.S. as an individually accredited programme.

Reputation (employability rankings)

PSU does not publish a Biochemistry B.S.-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking on its official programme pages. Instead, the university highlights the programme's interdisciplinary education, integration of current research discoveries into teaching, opportunities for undergraduate research with faculty scientists, and preparation for careers in professional health, STEM business and industry, education and policy, scientific communication and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

PSU's Biochemistry B.S. combines classroom learning with hands-on teaching and research laboratories, and the Chemistry Department encourages undergraduates to participate in research with faculty scientists. Students can develop practical expertise in modern chemical instrumentation while also gaining experience through internships, volunteer opportunities, paid departmental positions and a senior capstone or honors thesis.

Students can build practical and research skills through:

Undergraduate research: Most PSU Chemistry science professors maintain independent research programmes and involve undergraduates in their laboratories, giving students opportunities to gain direct research experience and technical expertise.
Biochemistry research: Faculty research areas include biophysics, chemical biology, molecular imaging, therapeutics, synthesis, sensors and environmental, green, materials and systems chemistry, giving students opportunities to explore different research directions.
Biochemistry Laboratory: CH 493 Biochemistry Laboratory introduces general biochemical techniques, including the purification and characterisation of enzymes.
Senior research/capstone: The fourth-year degree map includes a Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis, providing a culminating opportunity to apply scientific knowledge and complete advanced academic work.
Advanced instrumentation: Department facilities include 400 and 600 MHz NMR spectrometers, gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and other analytical instruments.
Mass spectrometry: The BioAnalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility provides LC-MS/MS capabilities, while the Pankow Group Mass Spectrometry Facility includes GC/x, HPLC and IC instrumentation.
Microscopy and imaging: Students involved in relevant research can work in the Center for Electron Microscopy & Nanofabrication and access facilities supporting advanced microscopy and nanofabrication research.
X-ray and analytical facilities: PSU provides access to an X-ray Diffraction and Scattering Facility, Atomic Force Microscope Center and Typhoon Phosphorimager as part of its research infrastructure.
Internships: PSU's Chemistry Department provides information about formal internships and other opportunities, while PSU's Pre-Health programmes support volunteer and internship experiences connecting students with healthcare professionals and patients.
Semiconductor industry experience: PSU's Physics and Chemistry Departments collaborate with regional industry on workforce training in semiconductor technologies, including courses and experiential learning through the PSU Semiconductor Internship Program.
Student employment: Chemistry students can work in the Chemistry Stockroom, gaining practical experience in chemical inventory, solution preparation, laboratory setup, instrumentation and safe handling of hazardous materials.
Career and internship platform: Handshake, PSU's official career-development resource, connects students with jobs and internships and supports online professional portfolios.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. can prepare graduates for professional health, STEM business and industry, scientific research, STEM education and policy, and scientific communication. PSU specifically highlights opportunities in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical products, biotechnology, environmental and food science, while its career resources identify roles ranging from biochemist and laboratory technician to medicinal chemist and scientific product developer.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Laboratory Technician, Medicinal Chemist and Research Scientist:

Career support: PSU's Advising & Career Services provides career choice and job-search support to undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. The Chemistry Department also provides career-pathway guides that connect course planning and electives with different professional directions.
Handshake: Students can use PSU's official Handshake platform to create an online portfolio and connect with jobs and internships relevant to their interests.
Pre-health support: PSU's Pre-Health programmes provide volunteer and internship opportunities connecting students with healthcare professionals and patients, supporting students considering healthcare professions.
Career options: PSU identifies biochemistry-related career possibilities including laboratory or field technician, biochemist, medicinal chemist, computational chemist, food scientist, forensic scientist, quality-control or safety specialist, scientific product developer or salesperson, entrepreneur and academic research professor.
Employer examples: PSU's official biochemistry career resource lists employers and job titles associated with biochemistry graduates, including Oregon Health & Science University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Patheon, Seattle Children's Hospital, Schrodinger and Portland State University.
Industry connections: PSU's Chemistry and Physics Departments collaborate with regional industry in semiconductor workforce training, providing courses and experiential learning connected with semiconductor technologies.
Employment statistics and salary: PSU does not publish a Biochemistry B.S.-specific employment rate or salary figure on the official programme page. Therefore, no programme-specific salary or employment percentage is estimated here. PSU's broader official 2025 undergraduate career-outcomes data reports 77% employed full-time or continuing education within six months, with an average salary of $63,177, but this is university-wide data from the Class of 2025 and should not be treated as a Biochemistry B.S. outcome.
Professional value: The department's ACS accreditation covers its curriculum, faculty, library and facilities, while students also graduate with extensive laboratory, research and instrumentation experience that can support scientific employment or applications to advanced study.
Graduation preparation: The degree's senior capstone or honors thesis, combined with undergraduate research and laboratory training, gives students a substantial opportunity to demonstrate scientific problem-solving, experimental and communication skills before graduation.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can apply for PSU's M.A. or M.S. in Chemistry or Ph.D. in Chemistry, with graduate study requiring preparation equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. PSU's graduate Chemistry programme offers research areas including biophysics, chemical biology, molecular imaging, therapeutics, nanotechnology, synthesis and environmental, green, materials and systems chemistry; the B.S. can also provide preparation for professional health programmes such as medicine and other graduate or professional degrees.