Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology and Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue University’s Chemical Biology and Biochemistry major combines biology and chemistry to examine the molecular and chemical foundations of life, with applications ranging from protein function and genetics to drug development and disease research. It is designed for students who want intensive preparation for scientific research, biotechnology, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, structural biology, genetics, or medicinal chemistry.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their foundation in biology, chemistry and mathematics through courses such as BIOL 12100 – Biology I: Diversity, Ecology and Behavior, CHM 12901 – Chemistry I, and MA 16100/16500 – Calculus I. They also begin laboratory-oriented study through BIOL 11500 and CHM 25500/25501, building the scientific and quantitative skills needed for advanced chemical biology.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into cellular, genetic and molecular biology through BIOL 23100 – Biology III: Cell Structure and Function, BIOL 24100 – Biology IV: Genetics and Molecular Biology, and CHM 33900/33901. Students also take BIOL 28600, while the chemistry sequence develops a stronger understanding of chemical principles relevant to biological systems.

Third Year: Students begin more specialized chemical-biology study through BIOL 42000, BIOL 41500, and BIOL 32701 – Bioanalytical Chemistry, which connects biology with analytical chemical methods. The progression also includes physics, CBB-selective coursework and supervised research through BIOL 494/499 or CHM 499, allowing students to apply classroom concepts to authentic scientific investigation.

Fourth Year: Advanced study includes BIOL 51202 – Methods of Measurement in Biophysical Chemistry or CHM 56000 – Organic Spectroscopy and Analysis, alongside CHM 34800 – Bioinorganic Chemistry and CHM 37200 – Physical Chemistry. Students complete their BIOL 49500/CHM 49900 CBB Capstone and can strengthen their quantitative and computational abilities through courses such as STAT 50300 or CS 17700.

Focus areas

Chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, enzymology, protein science, genetics, bioanalytical chemistry, drug development, medicinal chemistry, biophysical chemistry

Learning outcomes

Students develop an understanding of chemical processes in living organisms, molecular biology, protein structure and function, enzymatic activity and biochemical analysis, together with laboratory skills including electrophoresis, chromatography, Western blotting, protein sequence analysis and peptide mapping.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Purdue's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Chemical Biology and Biochemistry major. It is a specialized baccalaureate major offered through Purdue's Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science.

Reputation (employability/research environment)

Purdue's Department of Biological Sciences describes itself as the university's largest department in the life sciences disciplines, offering nine baccalaureate areas and supporting research across six major research concentrations. Its research spans areas from cancer models and host-pathogen interactions to behavioral ecology, giving Chemical Biology and Biochemistry students access to a broad scientific research environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Chemical Biology and Biochemistry curriculum places substantial emphasis on laboratory and research experience, allowing students to move beyond theoretical study and investigate biological processes using chemical and molecular techniques. Purdue's progression guide requires research as part of the major, with students working on CBB-related topics such as molecular biology, structural biology, enzymes, drug development, proteins and chemical processes in living organisms.

Students can work with faculty in both the Biology and Chemistry departments and use Purdue's extensive life-science research infrastructure. The university's facilities provide access to specialized technologies for microscopy, genomics, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, protein analysis and other biochemical investigations.

Practical opportunities include:

Research requirement: CBB students undertake research related to Chemical Biology and Biochemistry, with the 2025–26 progression guide placing research in the third and fourth years and requiring a CBB capstone.
CBB capstone: Students complete BIOL 49500/CHM 49900 as the CBB research capstone, providing an opportunity to apply their scientific training to a substantial research experience.
Bioanalytical techniques: BIOL 32701 – Bioanalytical Chemistry provides specialized study connecting biological systems with analytical chemistry.
Research topics: Approved CBB research areas include chemical principles of biological processes, molecular biology, structural biology, enzymes and enzyme activity, drug development, lipid membranes and proteins.
Research laboratories: CBB-related research can involve faculty laboratories across Purdue's Biology and Chemistry departments.
Advanced instrumentation: Purdue's Biochemistry research facilities provide access to flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, gel documentation, quantitative real-time PCR, NMR, DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry and proteomics facilities.
Drug discovery research: Purdue's Drug Discovery Facility supports organic synthesis, cell culture, analytical chemistry, molecule purification, biochemistry, molecular biology and fluorescent imaging.
Cancer research: Students can benefit from the research environment surrounding the Purdue Center for Cancer Research, including facilities supporting molecular and disease-level cancer research.
Computational skills: The degree progression guide recommends CS 17700 or STAT 50300, giving students opportunities to strengthen computing and statistical analysis alongside laboratory science.
Research communication: Students can undertake research through Biology or Chemistry and develop experience communicating scientific findings as part of their capstone and research activities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Purdue describes Chemical Biology and Biochemistry as strong preparation for careers in academic and industrial research, including cancer and AIDS research, structural biology, genetics, medicinal chemistry and drug development. The program can also provide preparation for professional pathways in medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, as well as graduate-level scientific research.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Chemical Biology Researcher, Biomedical Researcher, Medicinal Chemistry Researcher

Key progression and career-support opportunities include:

Research preparation: The major requires research experience and culminates in a CBB capstone, giving students direct experience with scientific investigation before graduation.
Scientific career areas: Purdue identifies career applications including cancer research, AIDS research, structural biology, genetics, medicinal chemistry and drug development.
Interdisciplinary research: Students can work with CBB-related faculty across the Biology and Chemistry departments, creating opportunities to explore different areas of molecular and chemical research.
Industry and research environment: Purdue's research infrastructure includes the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Bindley Bioscience Center, Genomics Facility, Analytical Mass Spectrometry Facility and Proteomics Facility.
Research career development: The broader Biological Sciences department supports research spanning molecular biological systems through ecosystems and identifies its research contributions as addressing areas including cancer models and host-pathogen interactions.
Employment statistics and salary: The official Purdue sources reviewed do not provide a current program-specific employment rate or salary figure for Chemical Biology and Biochemistry. A general figure from another Purdue biological-science program should not be substituted for this major.
Professional-school preparation: Purdue identifies this major as preparation for medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, alongside research-focused career paths.
Graduation outcomes: The curriculum is designed to develop the laboratory and scientific research skills needed for professional research careers and further academic study, with the final CBB capstone providing a substantial research experience.
Long-term academic value: Students who want deeper specialization can use the undergraduate research experience as preparation for graduate study in chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics, medicinal chemistry or related fields. Purdue's Department of Biological Sciences also supports graduate research across multiple life-science areas.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral research programs in chemical biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics, medicinal chemistry and related life-science disciplines. The degree also supports progression into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, depending on the student's prerequisite coursework and admission requirements.