BS in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Tufts University

Program Overview

The BS in Biochemistry at Tufts University is an interdepartmental program jointly offered by the Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry, designed for students interested in understanding the chemistry of living systems and the connections between biology and chemistry. Students build a strong foundation in cellular and molecular biology, genetics, organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics and physics, while also completing laboratory and research experiences that can prepare them for further study or careers in the life sciences.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific foundation for the major through courses such as Biology 13 & 15: Cells and Organisms, Chemistry 1/11: Chemical Fundamentals or General Chemistry, and Math 32: Calculus I. Depending on the pathway selected, students may begin with biology or chemistry, while developing the quantitative and laboratory background needed for later coursework.

Sophomore Year: The curriculum moves into more specialized biological and chemical concepts through subjects such as Biology 41: General Genetics, Biology 105: Molecular Biology, Chemistry 51/53: Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory, and Chemistry 52/54: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory. This stage strengthens students’ understanding of genetics, molecular processes and organic chemistry while continuing the hands-on laboratory component of the degree.

Junior Year: Students progress into advanced biochemical and analytical study with courses including Chemistry 171: Biochemistry I, Chemistry 172: Biochemistry II, Chemistry 43/45: Bioanalytical Chemistry with Laboratory, and Chemistry 35: Biophysical Chemistry. These courses bring together the biological and chemical foundations developed during the first two years and introduce more advanced approaches to studying biological molecules and systems.

Senior Year: The final year provides flexibility for students to deepen their interests through an approved biochemistry elective and experiential research such as Biology 50: Experiments in Molecular Biology, Biology 54: Molecular Genetics Project Lab, Biology 193: Independent Research in Biology, or Biology 199: Senior Honors Thesis. Students can therefore finish the degree with a combination of advanced coursework and practical research experience tailored to their academic goals.

Focus areas

Chemistry of living systems, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, molecular genetics, experimental laboratory research and biotechnology-related applications.

Learning outcomes

Students develop an integrated understanding of biological and chemical processes, build laboratory and experimental research skills, and learn to apply concepts from molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry and biochemistry to scientific questions. The program's experiential options also provide opportunities to develop practical research experience through laboratory courses, independent research and senior thesis work.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Tufts lists an ACS Certified Chemistry BS among its programs with specialist accreditation; however, the BS in Biochemistry itself is not identified on Tufts' accreditation page as an ACS-certified degree. The biochemistry curriculum nevertheless includes substantial chemistry and laboratory coursework, including organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical/biophysical chemistry and bioanalytical chemistry.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Tufts University is ranked #=338 in the QS World University Rankings 2027; the QS ranking is university-wide rather than specific to the BS in Biochemistry. Tufts also reports first-destination data through its Career Center, allowing outcomes to be examined by academic program, including employment, graduate school and internship destinations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Tufts BS in Biochemistry incorporates practical learning directly into the major through laboratory courses and an experiential research requirement. Students can work with molecular biology, cell biology and molecular genetics approaches, undertake independent research with Tufts faculty, or pursue a senior honors thesis; Tufts' Biology Department currently lists 24 research laboratories where undergraduates may seek research opportunities, while the Chemistry Department also provides undergraduate access to research through research credit or paid summer and academic-year positions.

Students can build practical experience through:

Experiments in Molecular Biology – Biology 50: A dedicated experiential laboratory option within the biochemistry major.
Experiments in Cell Biology – Biology 52: Provides another laboratory-based route for fulfilling the program's experiential research requirement.
Molecular Genetics Project Lab – Biology 54: A project-based laboratory option focused on molecular genetics.
Recombinant DNA Technology – ChBE 163: Students can select this biotechnology-oriented laboratory experience as part of the approved experiential options.
Biotech Processing Projects Lab – ChBE 168: Provides another project-oriented laboratory pathway connected with biotechnology processing.
Independent Research – Biology 193: Students can earn academic credit for independent research and work alongside faculty, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students.
Senior Honors Thesis – Biology 199: Students interested in advanced research can undertake a senior thesis as an experiential component.
Chemistry research: The Chemistry Department has undergraduate research opportunities through research credit and paid summer or academic-year research positions; its department currently lists 17 research labs.
Biology research laboratories: Undergraduate opportunities are available across Tufts Biology research areas, with labs including the Blackiston, Freudenreich, Gardiner, Levin, McVey, Mirkin, Reed, Trimmer, Tytell and Wolfe labs, among others.
Scientific seminars: Biology undergraduates are encouraged to attend weekly research seminars featuring graduate students and visiting faculty presenting current research.
Career and internship resources: Tufts Career Center provides scientific-discovery and research resources, including research opportunities, fellowships and internship programs relevant to biotechnology and biomedical research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biochemistry can support progression into laboratory, biotechnology, healthcare and scientific careers, as well as professional and graduate education. Tufts specifically provides research opportunities, career resources and life-sciences employer networking that can help students connect their scientific training with employment, internships and further study.

Typical career directions include: Research Associate, Laboratory Scientist, Biochemistry Technician, Bioanalytical Scientist.

Students can further develop their career readiness through:

Career Center support: Tufts' Career Center provides dedicated resources for scientific discovery and research, including guidance on laboratory opportunities, research experience, fellowships, internships and professional associations.
Employment and graduate-school outcomes: Tufts maintains destination dashboards that allow students to explore employment, graduate-school and internship destinations by academic program and graduation year.
Internship experience: Tufts reports that 86% of graduates from the Class of 2025 completed at least one internship, while 65% completed two or more; Tufts defines internships broadly to include research, study abroad, volunteer service, summer jobs and internships.
Life-sciences employer networking: Tufts' Career Center organizes life-sciences networking opportunities specifically involving students in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences and related programs.
Biotech and life-sciences connections: Tufts participates in employer-focused events connecting students with biotechnology, healthcare and life-sciences organizations, including a planned 2027 event with Boston University and Brandeis University at MassBio Hub in Kendall Square.
Research-to-career preparation: Undergraduate research at Tufts can involve working alongside faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, with the department noting that research can prepare students for graduate school and a range of life-science careers.
Career destination examples: Tufts' published historical destination data for Chemistry and Biochemistry graduates includes progression to MD, PhD and master's programs at institutions such as Boston University, Columbia, Duke, MIT, Stanford, Tufts and other universities. These are historical destination records rather than guarantees of future outcomes.
Salary information: Tufts' Career Center directs students to the American Chemical Society's job bank and salary/employment surveys, but the university does not publish a specific salary figure for graduates of this BS in Biochemistry on the official program page.
Long-term academic value: The curriculum provides preparation in molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, quantitative analysis and laboratory research, creating a foundation that can be used for advanced study in areas such as biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedical science, biology and related health or life-science fields.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Biochemistry, students can pursue graduate or professional education. Tufts' academic pathways include graduate study in areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology Engineering and biomedical sciences, while historical Tufts destination data shows Biochemistry/Chemistry graduates progressing into MD, PhD and master's programs at Tufts and other universities.