Biochemistry, B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Saint Louis University

Program Overview

Saint Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry is designed for students who want to understand how chemistry connects with the life sciences, while keeping their options open for careers or further study in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law. The program combines chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics with laboratory-based learning, giving students a strong scientific foundation alongside opportunities to develop research and scientific communication skills.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific foundation of the degree through subjects such as General Chemistry 1 for Majors, General Chemistry 2 for Majors, Calculus I and II, and Principles of Biology I and II. These courses introduce students to core chemical principles, quantitative methods and biological processes, while laboratory components develop early practical skills.

Second Year: The curriculum moves deeper into chemical analysis and molecular structure through Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors, Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors and Analytical Chemistry 1. Students develop a stronger understanding of organic reactions, chemical analysis and laboratory techniques that prepare them for advanced biochemistry.

Third Year: Students focus more directly on the relationship between chemistry and biological systems through Biochemistry 1, Biochemistry 2, Engineering Physics I and Engineering Physics II. This stage develops knowledge of biochemical processes while strengthening students' understanding of physical principles and quantitative analysis.

Fourth Year: Students bring the chemistry and biology components together through Principles of Genetics, Physical Chemistry 1 or Physical Chemistry 2 and chemistry electives. Approved biological electives can also allow students to explore areas such as Advanced Biological Chemistry, Biochemical Pharmacology, Virology, Immunobiology, Microbiology or Cancer Biology, depending on their interests and future plans.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, genetics, biological chemistry, pharmacology, laboratory science and quantitative scientific analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are expected to demonstrate foundational knowledge of organic, analytical and physical chemistry with advanced knowledge in biochemistry; perform basic laboratory techniques safely; collect, interpret and analyze quantitative data; and communicate scientific results effectively.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biochemistry B.A. is not identified by SLU as an ACS-certified degree. SLU specifically states that its Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and biochemistry receive American Chemical Society certification, while the B.A. provides a broader undergraduate pathway with research available as an elective.

Reputation / Employability

SLU describes the B.A. in Biochemistry as a rigorous program designed to prepare graduates for STEM employment and further professional or graduate education. Across the university, SLU's 2021–2024 undergraduate First-Destination Survey recorded 3,430 respondents; 1,659 respondents (48%) reported working as an outcome, while 1,000 respondents (29%) reported continuing their education at SLU. These are university-wide undergraduate figures, not Biochemistry B.A.-specific employment statistics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in SLU's Biochemistry B.A. can connect classroom learning with practical laboratory and research experience. The Department of Chemistry provides instructional and research laboratories, specialized scientific equipment and computers, while students can work with full-time faculty researchers and, in selected cases, serve as undergraduate laboratory assistants with a stipend. B.A. students can also choose undergraduate research as an elective, typically beginning research around the junior year, with some students able to start earlier.

The program's practical opportunities include:

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research: Students can participate in research projects under the close mentorship of full-time chemistry faculty and develop scientific communication skills through their research work.
Undergraduate laboratory assistantships: Selected students may work as assistants in undergraduate laboratories and may receive a stipend.
Research presentations: Undergraduate researchers can attend professional meetings and present research through talks and poster presentations; SLU notes student participation in regional and national scientific meetings, including American Chemical Society meetings.
High-resolution NMR facility: SLU's Chemistry Department operates an open-access NMR facility with a multinuclear Bruker spectrometer at 16.4 Tesla and advanced NMR capabilities for studying organic molecules and biomolecules.
Advanced analytical instrumentation: Chemistry facilities include instruments such as NMR, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS, Raman microscopy, UV-Vis and fluorometry equipment.
Biochemistry and molecular biology equipment: SLU research facilities include HPLC, FPLC, thermal cyclers, real-time PCR systems, centrifuges, automated microscopy and protein-imaging systems.
Research facilities: Chemistry instructional laboratories are located in Monsanto Hall, while research laboratories and faculty offices are located in Monsanto and Shannon Halls.
Professional and academic community: The Chemistry Department hosts seminars, while the Chemistry Club provides additional opportunities for students to engage with scientific activities and the department community.
Internship opportunities: SLU identifies internship and career opportunities as part of the benefits of its Biochemistry B.A.; university Career Services also supports internship searches through Handshake, career counseling, employer connections and on-campus recruitment.
Career-connected experiential learning: SLU's experiential-learning data identifies internship/job experiences as the leading category recorded through Handshake, with 1,104 experiences representing 62% of reported experiences during the stated reporting period.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.A. can prepare graduates for scientific and health-related roles while also providing a foundation for advanced study. SLU specifically identifies opportunities in chemical research and development, pharmaceutical research, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, environmental research and the public health sector, while also highlighting preparation for graduate and professional schools.

Typical career directions include: Biochemistry Research Assistant, Pharmaceutical Research Assistant, Biotechnology Laboratory Technician, Chemical Research Assistant

Career development and graduate outcomes include:

Career Services: SLU Career Services provides career counseling, interview practice, résumé and cover-letter reviews, career planning, networking support and assistance with job and internship searches.
Handshake: Students have access to SLU's Handshake career database, where they can search for internships and employment opportunities. Employers can also post positions for SLU students and alumni.
Employer connections: Employers connect with students through career fairs, information sessions, on-campus interviews and other recruiting activities.
University-wide employment outcomes: SLU's First-Destination Survey for academic years 2021–2024 had 3,430 respondents. Working was the leading reported outcome, with 1,659 respondents (48%), while 1,000 respondents (29%) reported continuing their education at SLU. These figures cover SLU undergraduate bachelor recipients overall rather than Biochemistry B.A. graduates specifically.
Reported employer industries: SLU's university-wide outcomes data identifies health care, aerospace, higher education, management consulting and accounting among the leading full-time employer industries.
Industry connections: SLU's School of Science and Engineering maintains relationships with industry leaders for internships, co-op opportunities, continuing education and research collaboration.
Research-to-career preparation: Students can gain experience working with faculty researchers, use specialized scientific instrumentation and present research at professional conferences, helping connect undergraduate study with scientific research environments.
Salary figures: SLU's official undergraduate outcomes information provides outcome and destination data, but the official sources reviewed do not publish a Biochemistry B.A.-specific graduate salary figure. Therefore, no program-specific salary figure is included here.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the B.A., students can continue into graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry and health-related fields such as pharmacology and toxicology. The degree also provides preparation for professional schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law, allowing students to build on their undergraduate scientific foundation according to their chosen career direction.