Biochemistry, BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Seattle University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Seattle University explores the molecular processes underlying life, combining chemistry, biology, mathematics and laboratory science to prepare students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medicine, research and related fields. It is particularly suited to students interested in understanding areas such as DNA, metabolism and biological molecules while gaining substantial research experience and preparation for graduate or professional school.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through CHEM 1350 – General Chemistry I, CHEM 1360 – General Chemistry II, MATH 1344 – Calculus I, MATH 1346 – Calculus II, and BIOL 1410 – Molecular and Cellular Biology with its laboratory component. Laboratory-focused courses such as CHEM 1351 – Chemistry of Water Lab and CHEM 1851 – Ocean Acidification Lab introduce students to practical scientific investigation while the University Core develops broader academic skills.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized chemistry and physical science through CHEM 2450 – Organic Chemistry, CHEM 2460 – Organic Chemistry I, PHYS 1210 – Physics I, PHYS 1220 – Physics II, and CHEM 3650 – Intro Biochemistry. This stage connects organic and physical science concepts with the molecular processes studied in biochemistry and can also support students preparing for pre-health pathways.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly research-oriented with CHEM 3050 – Quantitative Analysis, CHEM 3150 – Inorganic Chemistry, and advanced options such as CHEM 4650 – Advanced Enzymology or CHEM 4660 – Advanced DNA Methods and Genomics. Students also complete CHEM 4990 – Undergraduate Research, giving them an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to faculty-guided scientific research.

Year 4: Students consolidate their advanced knowledge through CHEM 3560 – Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics and CHEM 3561 – Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Lab, alongside CHEM/BIOL electives that allow them to explore areas aligned with their interests. The year concludes with CHEM 4995 – Spring Seminar, while the combination of advanced coursework, research and electives supports preparation for scientific careers, graduate study and professional programs.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, enzymology, DNA methods and genomics, quantitative analysis, biological sciences, scientific research, laboratory science, pre-health preparation, biotechnology and pharmaceutical science.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop mastery of fundamental chemistry and biochemistry principles, gain experience planning and conducting scientific experiments with modern laboratory technology, and build the analytical and research skills needed to investigate complex scientific questions. The Chemistry Department specifically emphasizes knowledge across general, organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and biochemistry.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biochemistry BS has an American Chemical Society (ACS) certification option, giving students the opportunity to pursue an ACS-certified degree pathway. The program also incorporates research throughout the curriculum, including required undergraduate research, supporting preparation for scientific careers and advanced graduate or professional study.

Reputation & Employability

Seattle University reports an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, supporting small classes and faculty-led learning. The university's Biochemistry BS page also reports that its graduates have progressed to professional programs and graduate institutions including UC Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, the University of Washington and ETH Zurich; these are graduate/professional destinations rather than a program-specific employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Seattle University makes research a central part of the Biochemistry BS rather than treating it as an optional add-on. Chemistry and biochemistry students work with faculty in modern laboratories, use research-grade instrumentation, and can complete course-based research, longer-term faculty-mentored research or approved external internships; the university states that all chemistry and biochemistry majors participate in research projects.

The Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation provides modern chemistry laboratories equipped with instruments that students can encounter in professional scientific environments. Research opportunities can also involve advanced topics such as enzymology, DNA methods and genomics, while the curriculum includes CHEM 4990 – Undergraduate Research and opportunities for external internships.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Faculty-mentored undergraduate research: Students work directly with faculty members on scientific projects and receive one-on-one guidance throughout their research experience.
Required research experience: Chemistry and biochemistry majors can satisfy the research requirement through course-based research, longer-term faculty-mentored research or approved external internships.
CHEM 4990 – Undergraduate Research: The semester curriculum formally includes undergraduate research during the third year.
Research-grade instrumentation: Facilities include a 400 MHz FT-NMR spectrometer, UV-visible and fluorescence spectrometers, atomic absorption spectroscopy, HPLC systems, FT-IR instruments, GC-MS, gas chromatography, a potentiostat system and a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument.
Molecular and biological research tools: The program includes advanced study in Advanced Enzymology and Advanced DNA Methods and Genomics, while Seattle University highlights faculty research involving whole genome sequencing.
Internship opportunities: Students may use an external internship to fulfill the chemistry/biochemistry research requirement, providing an avenue to gain experience outside the university laboratory.
Career-development technology: Handshake provides access to internships, jobs, employer events and career fairs, while Career Engagement offers coaching, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation and job-search assistance.
Research and library support: Seattle University provides access to librarians and an extensive network of books, eBooks, databases and journals to support research and assignments.
Paid summer research: The Chemistry Department specifically highlights paid summer research positions alongside research opportunities embedded throughout the curriculum.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry BS is designed to support both immediate scientific careers and further professional or graduate education. Seattle University specifically identifies pathways into healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, drug development, neuroscience, cell biology and environmental science, while graduates have also entered MD, DO, DDS and PharmD programs as well as master's and PhD programs in biochemistry, chemical biology, cancer biology, genetics and biophysics.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Biochemical Researcher, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Biotechnology Researcher.

Career and progression support includes:

Career Engagement Office: Students can receive one-on-one career coaching, résumé and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation, internship and job-search support, career fairs and employer events.
Handshake: Seattle University uses Handshake for job and internship searches, employer events, career fairs and other professional opportunities; the university states that the platform is used by more than 200,000 employers.
Employer engagement: Seattle University's Career Engagement Office works with employers through job and internship postings, on-campus interviews, career fairs, employer treks, job-shadow opportunities and industry mentoring.
Research-to-career preparation: Required research participation and access to research-grade instrumentation give students experience applicable to biotechnology, pharmaceutical and scientific research environments.
Salary information: Seattle University's Chemistry Department reports a 2024 median annual wage of more than $84,000 for chemists, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is an occupational figure for chemists, not a salary guarantee or a Biochemistry BS graduate salary.
Post-graduation outcomes: Seattle University conducts a First Destination Survey measuring employment, continuing education, volunteer service, military service and students still seeking employment within six months of graduation. The university's published page describes the methodology but does not provide a Biochemistry-BS-specific employment percentage in the information reviewed here.
Professional accreditation value: The program offers an ACS-certified Biochemistry degree option, which can provide an additional professional credential for students following the ACS-certified pathway.
Graduate/professional destinations: Seattle University reports chemistry graduates at UC Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, the University of Washington and ETH Zurich, while Biochemistry graduates have entered medical, dental and pharmacy programs as well as master's and doctoral programs.
Industry-related career areas: Seattle University identifies healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, drug development, neuroscience, cell biology and environmental science as areas where Biochemistry graduates can pursue professional careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biochemistry BS, students can continue into M.S. or Ph.D. programs in areas such as biochemistry, chemistry, chemical biology, cancer biology, genetics and biophysics. The degree also provides preparation for professional programs including M.D., D.O., D.D.S. and Pharm.D., with Seattle University offering pre-health advising and a dedicated pre-health version of the four-year curriculum for students targeting health-professional programs.