Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Stevens Institute of Technology

Program Overview

Stevens Institute of Technology’s B.S. in Chemical Biology combines a rigorous chemistry foundation with cellular, molecular and physiological biology, computational methods and physics to understand biological systems and develop ways to engineer them. Established in 1978 as the first undergraduate program of its kind, it is particularly suited to students interested in biotechnology, healthcare, drug development, research and professional health programs.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through Biology and Biotechnology, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry Laboratory I, calculus and physics. Courses such as Career Pathways in Chemical and Biology Sciences and the First Year Experience also introduce students to the field and Stevens' interdisciplinary approach.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into molecular and cellular systems through Cell and Molecular Biology and Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, while General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I and associated laboratories strengthen students' chemical understanding. Students also study Vectors and Matrices, Multivariable Calculus I, Electricity and Magnetism and Introduction to Scientific Computing/Computer Science.

Year 3: Students begin advanced chemical biology work with Genetics, Instrumental Analysis I – Spectroscopy and Chromatography, and Biochemistry I – Cellular Metabolism and Regulation. Research Proposals for Undergraduate Research, Chemical Dynamics, Instrumental Analysis II – Electrochemistry, and Biochemistry II: Biomolecular Structure and Function develop research, analytical and biochemical skills.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes independent research and advanced biological chemistry through Computational Biology or Physiology, Biophysical Chemistry, and the two-semester Senior Capstone Research Project I and II. Students can further specialize through technical electives, with options including Inorganic Chemistry, Quantitative Biology, advanced biology, chemistry and biomedical engineering courses; CH 412 Inorganic Chemistry can also be added to obtain ACS certification.

Focus areas

Chemical biology, chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology, physiological biology, biotechnology, drug development, computational biology, biophysical chemistry, spectroscopy, chromatography, electrochemistry, genetics, scientific research and healthcare.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics and computational methods to biological problems; use modern chemical and biological techniques; design and conduct experiments; analyze scientific literature; communicate scientific findings; collaborate in multidisciplinary teams; conduct ethical research; and develop innovative solutions to chemical, biotechnology, healthcare and environmental problems.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Chemical Biology can be certified in chemistry by the American Chemical Society (ACS) when students complete CH 412 Inorganic Chemistry as a general or technical elective.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Stevens reports 12th in the nation for Best Career Placement according to The Princeton Review (2024), Top 15 in the U.S. for Best 20-year ROI according to PayScale (2023), and 14th in the nation for Early/Mid-Career Salary according to PayScale (2023). The university also reports 97% finalized outcomes six months after graduation at the department average and 81% accepted into graduate, medical or dental school, based on its 2025 Careers Report. These are Stevens-wide/department-level figures rather than Chemical Biology-specific rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Stevens builds research into the Chemical Biology degree rather than treating practical experience as an optional addition. Students are embedded in research groups, work with faculty and other researchers, complete a two-semester senior research capstone and can pursue summer undergraduate research, while the program also provides access to advanced research facilities and opportunities for internships and study abroad.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Research-focused curriculum: Stevens integrates undergraduate students into research groups where they learn cutting-edge technology and work collaboratively with researchers.
Senior Research Capstone: Students complete CH/BIO 498 Senior Capstone Research Project I and CH/BIO 499 Senior Capstone Research Project II, working individually or in teams on real research problems that may involve a company.
Laboratory training: The curriculum includes General Chemistry Laboratories, Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Physics Lab I and II, and advanced analytical chemistry coursework.
Spectroscopy and chromatography: CH 362 Instrumental Analysis I – Spectroscopy and Chromatography provides training in modern analytical approaches used to investigate chemical and biological systems.
Electrochemistry: CH 461 Instrumental Analysis II – Electrochemistry gives students further exposure to instrumental chemical analysis.
Computational tools: Students can take CS 105 Introduction to Scientific Computing or CS 115 Introduction to Computer Science, while advanced students can choose BIO 568 Computational Biology.
Undergraduate research: Stevens provides department-based and interdisciplinary research opportunities, including summer research with faculty and opportunities to work alongside graduate students and researchers.
Interdisciplinary research: Stevens highlights research involving multiple disciplines and technologies, giving students opportunities to work in teams on complex scientific problems.
Research presentations: Undergraduate researchers can present their original research at events such as the ICUNJ Undergraduate Research Symposium and Stevens' Chemistry & Chemical Biology Research Day.
Pre-health experiences: Students pursuing medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and other health professions can combine research with clinical experiences and community service through Stevens' pre-health opportunities.
Research facilities: Stevens provides access to numerous research centers and facilities across the Schaefer School, supporting hands-on experimentation and interdisciplinary research.
Internships and study abroad: The program specifically provides access to Stevens' undergraduate internship and study-abroad opportunities, allowing students to gain experience beyond the classroom.
Samuel C. Williams Library: Students have access to the university's library and research resources through the Samuel C. Williams Library.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemical Biology B.S. prepares graduates for careers and further study spanning chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, forensic science, medicine and biology. Stevens reports graduates progressing to medical and graduate programs at institutions including NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Cornell's Tri-Institutional Ph.D. Chemical Biology Program, University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins, as well as industry positions such as Senior Associate Scientist at Pfizer and Principal Associate Scientist in Analytical Development at Oncorus.

Typical job roles include: Research Scientist, Biochemist, Chemical Biologist, Biotechnology Scientist

Career support: Stevens provides career resources and opportunities connected with its industry-focused educational model, while faculty mentorship in Chemistry and Chemical Biology supports students' research and professional goals.
Employment outcomes: Stevens reports 97% finalized outcomes six months after graduation at the department average and 81% accepted into graduate, medical or dental school in its 2025 Careers Report. These figures are department-level rather than specifically reported for every Chemical Biology graduate.
Salary information: Stevens reports 14th in the nation for Early/Mid-Career Salary in PayScale's 2023 College Salary Report and #2 in New Jersey for Salary Potential according to PayScale (2023). These are institutional figures rather than Chemical Biology-specific salary outcomes.
Industry connections: Chemical Biology graduates have entered industry roles at Pfizer and Oncorus, while Stevens emphasizes faculty industry experience and research projects that may be conducted in collaboration with real companies.
Professional accreditation value: Students who complete CH 412 Inorganic Chemistry can obtain ACS certification in chemistry, adding professional recognition to the degree.
Healthcare progression: The degree satisfies requirements for admission to professional schools in medicine, dentistry and other healthcare programs, and Stevens offers an optional pre-health advisory program.
Accelerated medical pathway: Highly qualified students can pursue the seven-year B.S.-M.D. program with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, subject to the program's separate competitive admission requirements.
Accelerated master's pathway: Stevens allows students to double-count eligible undergraduate credits toward a graduate degree and complete a bachelor's and master's degree in five years through its Accelerated Master's Program.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the B.S., students can continue into master's and doctoral study in areas such as chemical biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, human genetics, biomedical data analytics, chemistry and related life sciences. Stevens graduates from this program have continued to Ph.D. programs at Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins, while the accelerated master's and B.S.-M.D. pathways provide additional structured routes into graduate and medical education.