Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree with a Major in Biosciences and a Major Concentration in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rice University

Program Overview

Rice University’s B.A. in Biosciences with a Major Concentration in Biochemistry gives students a broad foundation in biology alongside focused study of how molecules, enzymes, cells, and biological systems work. It is a flexible option for students interested in biochemistry, biomedical science, research, medicine, graduate study, or other life-science careers, while allowing room to explore additional academic interests.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by building the scientific foundation needed for advanced biochemistry through courses such as BIOS 201/101: Introductory Biology I, BIOS 202/102: Introductory Biology II, CHEM 121/111: General Chemistry I, and CHEM 123/113: General Chemistry Laboratory I. Mathematics also forms part of the foundation through MATH 101/105: Single Variable Calculus I, giving students the quantitative preparation required for later biological and biochemical study.

Second Year: Students continue developing their chemistry, biology, mathematics, and statistical skills while moving toward the molecular basis of biological systems. The curriculum introduces the integrated biochemistry sequence through courses such as BIOS 300: Paradigms in Biochemistry and Cell Biology, followed by BIOS 301: Biochemistry I, which covers protein and nucleic-acid structure and function, enzyme kinetics, glycolysis, aerobic metabolism, and energy coupling.

Third Year: Students deepen their understanding through advanced biochemical and experimental coursework, including BIOS 302: Biochemistry II and BIOS 311: Experimental Biochemistry. They can also explore laboratory-based areas such as BIOS 313: Experimental Synthetic Biology, BIOS 314: Experimental Molecular Biology, or BIOS 315: Experimental Physiology, connecting biochemical theory with experimental investigation.

Fourth Year: The final stage allows students to focus on advanced topics and research while completing the major's capstone requirement. Depending on their interests, students can study BIOS 420: Molecular Basis of Diseases, BIOS 460: Cancer Biology, BIOS 470: Computation with Biological Data, BIOS 481: Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, or BIOS 482: Structural Biology, giving them a strong platform for research, professional school, or graduate study.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biological research, enzyme function, metabolism, molecular basis of disease, cancer biology, synthetic biology, experimental molecular biology, computational biology, structural biology, molecular and cellular biophysics

Learning outcomes

Students develop broad knowledge of core biology and advanced understanding of biochemistry, learn to evaluate primary and secondary scientific literature, design experiments or mathematical models, collect and interpret scientific data, and communicate scientific information effectively through written, oral, and visual formats.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Rice's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the B.A. in Biosciences with a Biochemistry concentration. The program instead emphasizes a rigorous academic foundation, independent research opportunities, and preparation for graduate, medical, professional-school, and life-science career pathways.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Rice University is a highly research-intensive institution, and its BioSciences department emphasizes close interaction between undergraduates and research faculty. Rice's official Natural Sciences information reports that more than 75% of Natural Sciences students participate in research before graduation, although this is a university/school-level research participation statistic rather than an employment ranking for the Biochemistry B.A.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Rice provides unusually strong opportunities for undergraduate research alongside classroom learning. BioSciences students can work with Rice faculty on campus or with research groups in the Texas Medical Center, and the department offers research-for-credit, honors research, summer fellowships, laboratory courses, and opportunities to communicate research through papers and posters.

Students can put their biochemical knowledge into practice through:

BIOS 310 — Independent Research for Biosciences Undergraduates: Students conduct independent research in Rice BioSciences faculty laboratories or approved Texas Medical Center laboratories, with research proposals, weekly reports, and a research paper or poster.
BIOS 311 — Experimental Biochemistry: A dedicated upper-level laboratory course providing direct experimental experience in biochemistry.
BIOS 313 — Experimental Synthetic Biology: Gives students experimental experience in synthetic biology.
BIOS 314 — Experimental Molecular Biology: Provides hands-on exposure to experimental molecular biology.
BIOS 315 — Experimental Physiology: Develops practical experience investigating physiological systems.
BIOS 401/402 — Undergraduate Honors Research: Advanced juniors and seniors can undertake a two-semester individual research project in a BioSciences or approved off-campus laboratory, including regular research activities, lab meetings, progress reports, and scientific writing.
Texas Medical Center research: Students can conduct approved research in laboratories outside Rice within the Texas Medical Center, giving them access to a major biomedical research environment in Houston.
Summer research fellowships: BioSciences offers summer research fellowships that can provide $5,000 for a 10-week research internship, subject to departmental eligibility and available funding.
Faculty mentoring: Rice's Natural Sciences departments provide opportunities for students to work directly with research faculty and apply classroom knowledge to real scientific problems.
Scientific communication: Advanced research courses require students to communicate their work through research papers, posters, presentations, and other scientific formats.
Career and internship experience: Natural Sciences students can pursue internships for academic credit and use Rice's Center for Career Development, Handshake, career expos, and advising resources to connect academic study with professional experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. provides a broad biological education with focused biochemical training that can support careers across life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, research, biotechnology, and related fields. Rice states that its BioSciences degree pathways prepare students for graduate, medical, and other professional schools as well as a wide range of life-science careers.

Typical career roles include Biochemist, Research Scientist, Laboratory Researcher, Biotechnology Scientist:

Career services: Rice Natural Sciences students can receive career support through the Center for Career Development (CCD), including résumé and cover-letter preparation, Handshake job and internship listings, career events, and networking with employers.
Internships: Students can pursue internships that connect classroom learning with professional environments and may earn academic credit through Natural Sciences departments.
Research experience: More than 75% of Rice Natural Sciences students participate in research before graduation, giving students opportunities to develop research, communication, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Biomedical connections: Research opportunities extend beyond Rice into the Texas Medical Center, providing access to a major biomedical research ecosystem in Houston.
Graduate and professional preparation: Rice states that its BioSciences major pathways prepare students for graduate, medical, and other professional schools.
Research-intensive progression: Students interested in advanced scientific research can build substantial laboratory experience through BIOS 310 and the two-semester honors research sequence.
Career fields: Rice Natural Sciences reports alumni career fields spanning academic research, health and medical professions, industry, pharmaceuticals, government, consulting, legal professions, technology, communications, and education.
Employment and salary figures: Rice's official sources reviewed for this program do not publish a program-specific employment rate or median salary for graduates of the Biochemistry B.A.; therefore, no unrelated salary figure has been substituted.
Long-term academic value: The degree provides preparation for advanced study in biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical sciences and related life-science disciplines, while its research opportunities can strengthen applications to graduate and professional programs.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs, medical school, and other professional schools. Qualified Rice undergraduates may also apply to Rice's accelerated Biochemistry and Cell Biology BA/MS/PhD pathway, with applications available during the sophomore year; students selected for the accelerated program can begin graduate coursework alongside their upper-level undergraduate studies.