Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

San Francisco State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at San Francisco State University is designed for students who want to understand biology through the lens of chemistry, combining a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics with extensive laboratory training. It is particularly suited to students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and laboratory careers, health professions, or further study in biochemistry and related molecular sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by building the quantitative and chemical foundations needed for advanced biochemistry, studying CHEM 115 – General Chemistry I, CHEM 215 – General Chemistry II, MATH 226 – Calculus I, and MATH 227 – Calculus II. Physics is introduced through either the General Physics sequence or the calculus-based physics sequence, giving students a broad scientific base.

Year 2: The curriculum moves toward the chemistry of carbon and living systems through CHEM 233/234 – Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 235 – Organic Chemistry II, and BIOL 230 – Introductory Biology I. Students also begin CHEM 321 – Quantitative Chemical Analysis, developing the analytical perspective and laboratory skills needed for upper-division study.

Year 3: Students enter the core of the degree with CHEM 340 – Biochemistry I and CHEM 343 – Biochemistry I Laboratory, combining biochemical concepts with practical laboratory work. They then progress into CHEM 341 – Biochemistry II and either CHEM 300 – Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences I or CHEM 351 – Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics, while beginning their upper-division chemistry and biology electives.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced scientific understanding and specialization through courses such as CHEM 301 – Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences II or CHEM 353 – Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy, alongside upper-division electives. Students complete the remaining major electives and university requirements, allowing them to tailor their studies toward areas of chemistry, biology and related sciences.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, quantitative chemical analysis, laboratory science, biotechnology, biological sciences, molecular and cellular applications, and interdisciplinary connections between chemistry and biology.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve problems across analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry; perform laboratory procedures using modern instrumentation; analyze and communicate experimental results; search and interpret scientific literature; apply classroom knowledge to laboratory problems; connect chemistry with biological, materials and environmental sciences; and work effectively as part of scientific teams.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry is approved by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). SF State states that the degree is designed to prepare students for careers in biochemistry, modern areas of biology and biotechnology, while its extensive laboratory training also supports pharmaceutical careers and preparation for medical or dental school.

Reputation (employability rankings)

SF State's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry states that the Biochemistry B.S. has a favorable reputation among biotechnology companies in the Bay Area. The university also reports that 80% of its science and engineering alumni live in the Bay Area, 83% remain in California, and 8% of employees in the largest Bay Area biopharma companies are SF State graduates, providing useful institutional context for the program's regional industry connections.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain substantial practical experience through relatively small laboratory classes, modern analytical instrumentation and opportunities to participate in faculty-supervised research. The department's facilities span spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, microscopy, computational chemistry and molecular visualization, giving students opportunities to connect classroom concepts with real experimental and analytical work.

Specific opportunities and resources include:

Modern chemistry laboratories: Students receive hands-on training with instrumentation used for synthesis, separation, isolation, analysis and characterization of molecules.
NMR Facility: The department provides access to a Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometer with Prodigy Cryoprobe, supporting advanced molecular analysis.
Mass spectrometry: The Agilent teaching laboratory includes an Agilent 6546 LC/Q-TOF LC-MS system and Agilent 7000E QQQ GC-MS, alongside other analytical instruments.
Spectroscopy and analytical equipment: Students can train with UV-Vis, fluorescence, FTIR, Raman, XRD and XRF instrumentation, including Cary spectrometers and Bruker systems.
Electron microscopy and imaging: College facilities include an electron microscopy facility, the Cell and Molecular Imaging Center (CMIC) and Atomic Force Microscopy resources.
Computational chemistry: The department has a Computational Chemistry and Visualization (CCV) Laboratory and provides molecular visualization resources including Chime, Protein Explorer and RasMol.
Faculty research: Undergraduate students have opportunities to participate in research projects under the direct supervision of faculty members working in areas including biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, bioorganic chemistry and drug discovery.
Internships and research experience: SF State's biochemistry career guidance specifically recommends gaining experience through internships, faculty research and/or a senior research project.
Student academic support: The Chemistry Community Learning Room (CCLeaR) provides drop-in support for undergraduate chemistry courses, while the Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Association provides student activities and tutoring.
Career and internship platform: SF State's Handshake platform connects students with jobs, internships, workshops, employer events and career fairs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry can lead into laboratory-focused roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and clinical settings, while also providing preparation for professional schools and graduate study. SF State specifically identifies biotechnology and clinical laboratory work as career areas for the degree and notes that graduates may continue into M.S. or Ph.D. programs, medical school or pharmacy school.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Biological Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Medical Scientist.

Career services: Career & Leadership Development provides career counseling, resume and cover-letter resources, interview preparation, career fairs and employer events. Its Handshake platform is specifically used for finding jobs and internships.
Internship support: SF State provides internship guidance and career fairs, with employers also able to conduct on-campus interviews with students.
Industry connections: SF State's Science and Engineering Innovation Center was developed partly to strengthen STEM workforce preparation. Corporate supporters and industry partners connected with the center include the Genentech Foundation, Gilead Foundation, Agilent and Keysight.
Regional employment connection: SF State reports that 8% of employees in the largest Bay Area biopharma companies are SF State graduates, while 80% of SF State science and engineering alumni live in the Bay Area.
Employment and salary figures: SF State's Career & Leadership Development identifies salary information as available for relevant career fields, but the university's publicly accessible Biochemistry materials reviewed here do not provide a specific graduate employment percentage or average starting salary for this B.S. The university states that career-placement data can include average starting salary and employment percentages when available.
Long-term professional value: The program's ASBMB approval, extensive laboratory training and preparation for biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health-profession pathways provide a relevant academic foundation for further professional or scientific training.
Graduation outcomes: SF State identifies biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other laboratory-based industries, health professions, graduate study and teaching among the broader outcomes supported by its Chemistry & Biochemistry programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biochemistry, students can continue into SF State's M.S. in Chemistry with a Concentration in Biochemistry, or pursue graduate degrees in biochemistry and related molecular sciences elsewhere. The department also states that the bachelor's degree provides a strong foundation for medical, pharmacy and dental school, while its graduate programs can prepare students for further Ph.D.-level study.