Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue University’s Biochemistry, B.S. combines biology and chemistry to explore life at the molecular level, preparing students to investigate areas such as medical treatments, clean energy, agriculture, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The program is particularly suited to students interested in laboratory science and research, with small classes, faculty mentoring, hands-on research beginning early in the degree, and optional pathways such as pre-medicine, pre-veterinary medicine, bioinformatics and a five-year biological engineering dual degree.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with foundational science and quantitative coursework while being introduced to biochemistry and laboratory research. BCHM 10000: Introduction to Biochemistry introduces modern biochemistry through contemporary experiments, while BCHM 10100: Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory gives first-year students practical experience with pipetting, centrifugation, sterile technique and analysis of DNA-related experimental results.

Second Year: Students progress from introductory science into analytical methods and experimental design. BCHM 22100: Analytical Biochemistry develops practical experience with techniques such as spectrophotometry, chromatography and electrophoresis, while BCHM 29000: Experimental Design Seminar teaches students how to formulate hypotheses, design experiments and critically analyze results.

Third Year: The curriculum moves into advanced biochemical concepts and professional preparation. BCHM 30700: Biochemistry examines biomolecular structure and function, enzymology, replication, transcription, translation and intermediary metabolism, while BCHM 30900: Biochemistry Laboratory gives students practical experience analyzing and separating biological molecules; BCHM 39000: Professional Development Seminar adds preparation for careers, graduate applications, interviews and industrial practices.

Fourth Year: Students apply their accumulated knowledge through independent research and advanced biochemical study. BCHM 49800: Research in Biochemistry allows students to develop hypotheses, design experiments, maintain laboratory records, analyze results and communicate findings, while the senior BCHM 49000: Undergraduate Seminar focuses on discussing research projects and preparing research posters and public presentations.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, molecular genetics, metabolism, protein structure and function, enzymology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, medical science, pharmaceutical science, agriculture and biological research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop knowledge of the chemical processes of living systems, experimental design, laboratory techniques, quantitative and analytical methods, critical analysis of scientific results, scientific communication and independent research. The curriculum also develops practical experience in areas such as biological-molecule analysis, molecular biology and biochemical experimentation.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Purdue identifies this as the only Purdue biochemistry program accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The program's accreditation provides an external professional framework for its biochemistry and molecular biology curriculum.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Purdue University was ranked No. 88 globally and No. 9 among U.S. public universities in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, according to Purdue's official reporting. This is an institutional ranking rather than a ranking specifically for the Biochemistry B.S. program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a major feature of Purdue's Biochemistry program: Purdue reports that 100% of undergraduate students participate in research, and the department requires biochemistry majors to complete at least one year of undergraduate research, while encouraging two years. Students can begin research as freshmen, work in faculty laboratories, complete internships, participate in summer research and gain experience presenting their findings.

Students can build practical scientific experience through:

BCHM 10100 — Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory: First-year students perform real-world experiments involving DNA sequence changes and learn pipetting, centrifugation, sterile technique and scientific-result interpretation.
BCHM 22100 — Analytical Biochemistry: Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with pH measurement and control, spectrophotometry, radioactivity measurement, chromatography and electrophoresis.
BCHM 29800 — Introduction to Biochemistry Research: Freshmen and sophomores can begin independent research in a real laboratory, recording experimental data, troubleshooting and critically analyzing results.
BCHM 49800 — Research in Biochemistry: Students conduct in-depth independent research, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, maintain laboratory notebooks, analyze results and communicate their findings.
Required research capstone: Biochemistry majors must complete at least three credits of BCHM 49800 research as part of their capstone and present their work to the department before graduation.
Research laboratories: Students may conduct research in Purdue Biochemistry laboratories or, with approval, in laboratories in other departments when the project uses modern molecular-biology approaches and relevant biochemical tools.
Research grants: The College of Agriculture offers $500 research grants to help students purchase supplies for research projects, subject to available funding.
Internships: BCHM 39100 — Internship in Biochemistry provides professional internship experience with biochemistry-related employers in industry, government or small business.
Summer research: Students can pursue research opportunities through programs such as the NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) in Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Proteins, which provides research training in protein biochemistry, molecular genetics and experimental design.
Off-campus experience: Purdue lists opportunities with organizations and programs including the Food and Drug Administration, Danforth Plant Science Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and other research programs.
Biochemistry Club: Students can explore career choices through meetings with faculty and scientists from industry, as well as industrial field trips.
International opportunities: Students can participate in study-abroad experiences ranging from short programs to a semester or academic year, including Purdue's Germany exchange opportunity.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Purdue's Biochemistry B.S. prepares graduates for research and development, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical laboratory and government-related careers, while also providing a foundation for advanced professional and graduate education. Purdue specifically highlights pathways into graduate programs, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and industry, with recent graduate destinations including Eli Lilly and Company, Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, IU School of Medicine, Purdue Veterinary Medicine and the University of Michigan Ph.D. program.

Typical career roles include Biochemist, Molecular Biologist, Bioinformatics Specialist, Pharmaceutical Researcher:

Career development: BCHM 39000 — Professional Development Seminar covers career possibilities, interviewing, job-search strategies, graduate and professional-school applications, résumé construction and industrial practices.
Career services: Purdue directs students toward the Center for Career Opportunities and College of Agriculture Career Services for internships and employment opportunities.
Research participation: Purdue reports 100% undergraduate research participation, while the department requires at least one year of undergraduate research for biochemistry majors.
Industry exposure: Students can obtain professional experience through internships with biochemistry-related employers in industry, government and small business, alongside industry interactions through the Biochemistry Club.
Graduate destinations: Purdue lists graduates moving into roles such as Manufacturing Scientist at Eli Lilly and Company, Biochemist at Corteva Agriscience and Technical Service Manufacturing Scientist at Elanco.
Professional-school destinations: Purdue lists graduates entering the IU School of Medicine M.D. program, Purdue Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and University of Wisconsin-Madison Doctor of Pharmacy program.
Accreditation: ASBMB accreditation provides external professional recognition of Purdue's biochemistry program.
Additional pathways: Students can pursue a bioinformatics minor, pre-medical or pre-veterinary concentration, Germany exchange, or a five-year dual degree with biological engineering.
Employment/salary figures: The official Purdue Biochemistry sources reviewed do not publish a specific program-level employment rate or graduate salary figure, so no unsupported salary statistic is included here.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.D., D.V.M., Pharm.D., Ph.D. and other graduate/professional programs. Purdue specifically identifies graduate and professional destinations including medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and Ph.D. study, and the department also offers a Graduate Certificate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for undergraduate students who complete significant research and graduate-level coursework.