Bachelors in Biological Chemistry Major

Experiential learning is a major part of Tulane’s Biological Chemistry pathway, with students required to complete a year-long research component and having the option to conduct independent research or an honors thesis. The program is jointly operated by Chemistry and Cell & Molecular Biology, while students can also work with research groups in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Physics, and the Medical School.

Students can build practical research experience through:

• Two semesters of research: The major requires a six-credit research/special-project component, with the recommended fourth-year plan including Bio-Chem Year Long Research.
• Independent research: Students can take CHEM 4010 Research, CHEM 4020 Research and Seminar, or independent-study courses, with research potentially counting toward the Biological Chemistry major.
• Honors thesis: Students can choose CHEM 4990/5000 Honors Thesis or CELL 4990/5000 Honors Thesis as part of the independent-study/research requirement.
• Laboratory training: The curriculum includes General Chemistry Lab, Organic Chemistry Lab, Molecular Biology Lab, Intro to Biochem Lab, General Biology Lab, and Physical Chemistry Lab II.
• Cell and molecular biology facilities: Departmental research facilities include a transgenic mouse facility, neuroscience core laboratory, animal cell and tissue culture facility, DNA thermocyclers, Bio-Rad digital gel imaging equipment, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, centrifuges, bioreactor equipment, and ultralow-temperature freezers.
• Shared biomedical instrumentation: Tulane’s School of Medicine provides access to a Shared Instrumentation Facility with equipment including a Nikon Eclipse Ti2 confocal microscope, Akoya Phenolmager Fusion Slide Scanner, cryostat, and Quantum GX2 MicroCT.
• Summer research: Tulane’s Newcomb-Tulane College Summer Research Program allows undergraduates to work alongside faculty or conduct independent research, while NTC provides $100,000 annually in undergraduate grant funding for projects including research.
• Cross-disciplinary research: Biological Chemistry students have worked with research groups across Chemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, Physics, and the Medical School.
• Libraries and research resources: Tulane’s Cell and Molecular Biology facilities page notes access to the university’s library system, including Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and additional Health Sciences Center library facilities.

The Biological Chemistry major is designed to support several directions after graduation, including biochemistry, biotechnology, medical research, professional health programs, and graduate study. Tulane specifically identifies opportunities in analytical and forensic chemistry, biotechnology, business, education, government, industry, toxicology, information science, patent-related careers, health and safety, and science writing.

Typical job roles include: Biochemist, Biochemistry Research Assistant, Laboratory Scientist, Biotechnology Researcher, Molecular Biology Researcher, Biomedical Research Assistant, Analytical Chemist, Forensic Chemistry Technician, Toxicology Technician, Scientific Writer.

• Career services: Tulane Career Services provides personalized career coaching, resume and interview guidance, job-search resources, employer connections, career fairs, and networking opportunities.
• Jobs and internships: Handshake gives Tulane students access to job, internship, fellowship, and student-employment opportunities, while career coaches provide individualized support for applications and interviews.
• Industry connections: Tulane’s Innovation Institute works with companies on sponsored research, technology licensing, commercialization, and collaborations in areas including healthcare and life sciences, creating opportunities for university-industry interaction around research.
• Employment and graduate outcomes: Tulane publishes Graduating Student Survey dashboards covering employment, continuing education, employers, industries, locations, and year-by-year trends for undergraduate graduates.
• Salary information: Tulane’s Career Services provides labor-market information with employment trends, occupation data, and employer information through its Lightcast-powered platform; the university does not publish a Biological Chemistry-specific graduate salary figure on the program page.
• Internship support: Tulane’s Career Services actively supports internship searches through Handshake, career coaching, networking events, and its internship initiative for Newcomb-Tulane College students.
• Professional value: The program’s ASBMB certification provides an external professional connection to the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Research progression: Students can use undergraduate research, independent study, paid research opportunities, and honors-thesis routes to strengthen applications for research-focused graduate and professional programs.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress into graduate study in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, biological sciences, chemistry, biomedical research, and related fields. The interdisciplinary science foundation also provides preparation for medical school and other professional health programs, while students interested in research can continue toward master's or doctoral-level study.