Biochemistry Bachelor of Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arizona

Program Overview

The B.A. in Biochemistry at the University of Arizona combines chemistry and biology to help students understand the molecular processes that make life possible, while giving them the flexibility to explore another discipline through a double major or minor. It suits students interested in medicine, health-related fields, science communication, sustainability, agriculture, toxicology, pharmacology and other non-laboratory career pathways.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific foundation through General Chemistry with laboratory work, Introductory Biology with laboratory work, and Mathematics. The program also begins developing the broader general-education foundation that supports later study in the sciences.

Year 2: Students progress into Organic Chemistry and continue the mathematics and physics requirements needed for biochemical study. A key program-specific course is BIOC 296B – Introduction to Biochemical Research, which introduces sophomore students to experimental design, experimental controls, data interpretation and alternative explanations for published experiments.

Year 3: Students move into the core of biochemistry through BIOC 462A – Biochemistry and BIOC 462B – Biochemistry, studying the properties and metabolism of proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. Upper-division science electives then allow students to develop interests in areas such as molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience or other approved life-science fields.

Year 4: The final stage provides room for advanced science electives and completion of the B.A. major requirements while allowing students to shape the degree around their intended career direction. Students interested in molecular-level biology can pursue advanced subjects such as BIOC 466 – Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids, while the flexible B.A. structure can also accommodate a minor or second major.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemical research, protein structure and function, nucleic acids, enzymes, metabolism, medicinal biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, agriculture, sustainability, health sciences, interdisciplinary science

Learning Outcomes

Students develop foundational knowledge of biochemical principles, learn to conduct biochemical or related experiments, critically analyze experimental data, formulate hypotheses and models, design tests, communicate scientific findings, and place research results within existing scientific literature.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of Arizona lists both its B.A. and B.S. in Biochemistry as accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The department also states that biochemistry programs provide preparation for professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and osteopathy, while the B.A. is particularly designed for students interested in non-laboratory professions.

Reputation (Employability & Outcomes)

The University of Arizona's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry reports that its graduates work in private industry, government and academia, while the university's undergraduate outcomes dashboard tracks employment, continuing education and other destinations after graduation. For the Class of 2025, the university reported a 74% knowledge rate for its undergraduate outcomes data; the university also reports that about 9 in 10 students participate in at least one career-related experience during their undergraduate education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Although the B.A. is designed for greater flexibility and non-laboratory career pathways than the B.S., University of Arizona students can still gain meaningful research experience through credit-bearing research, paid research positions and faculty-supervised projects. The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry encourages undergraduate research across a wide range of biochemical areas, allowing students to work with professional researchers and develop skills in experimental design, laboratory work, data interpretation and scientific communication.

Students can also access sophisticated departmental research infrastructure, including nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, nanoscale imaging and molecular-structure facilities. These resources expose students to instrumentation and research environments used across modern chemical and biochemical sciences.

Practical opportunities include:

Introduction to Biochemical Research: BIOC 296B introduces students to experimental design, controls, conclusions, alternative explanations and interpretation of published biochemical research.
Credit-bearing research: Students can undertake faculty-supervised Directed Research (392/492) or independent-study research, with projects involving laboratory or field work and written scientific reports.
Paid research opportunities: The department provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research through paid positions as well as academic credit.
Undergraduate research presentations: Students can present their research at events including the CBC Undergraduate Fair & Poster Contest, BECUR (Biological, Engineering, and Chemical Undergraduate Research) and relevant American Chemical Society meetings.
NMR Facility: The department's Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility provides access to specialized instrumentation for molecular-structure research.
X-Ray Diffraction Facility: Students can receive training through demonstrations and use of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction instrumentation.
W.M. Keck Center for Nano-Scale Imaging: The facility supports atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, with training and experimental-design support.
EPR Facility: Students interested in advanced biochemical and chemical analysis can receive training on electron paramagnetic resonance instrumentation through facility demonstrations.
Internships: The department identifies internships as a way for students to gain hands-on experience in their intended field and explore potential career paths before graduation.
Pre-health preparation: Chemistry and Biochemistry advisors work with the university's Pre-Health Advising team to help students plan coursework around professional-school prerequisites.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. in Biochemistry provides a flexible scientific foundation for graduates moving into private industry, government, academia and professional education. The University of Arizona specifically connects biochemistry with career areas including medicine, sustainability, agriculture, toxicology and pharmacology, while the flexible B.A. structure can support students who want to combine biochemistry with another academic discipline.

Typical career directions include Biochemistry Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Toxicology Professional and Scientific Researcher.

Students can strengthen their transition from study to employment through:

Career and academic advising: Chemistry and Biochemistry advisors help students plan their coursework and career or postgraduate pathway, while the department's Pre-Health Advising partnership supports students preparing for professional-school applications.
Research-to-career experience: The department offers credit-bearing and paid undergraduate research, internships and opportunities to present research, giving students experience that can support future employment or postgraduate applications.
Employment outcomes: UArizona's undergraduate outcomes dashboard collects post-graduation destination information within six months through the Graduating Senior Survey, LiveAlumni and the National Student Clearinghouse. For the Class of 2025, the reported knowledge rate was 74%.
Career-related experience: Approximately 9 in 10 University of Arizona students participate in at least one career-related experience during their undergraduate education, including internships, research, volunteering, leadership, study abroad and other experiences.
Employer ecosystem: University-wide outcomes data identify industries employing Wildcats including engineering, education and medicine, while the Chemistry & Biochemistry department reports graduates working in private industry, government and academia.
Professional accreditation value: The B.A. Biochemistry program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), providing a recognized professional framework for the degree.
Research and professional networking: Students can work with faculty researchers, participate in research groups, attend research presentations and pursue conference opportunities, helping them build relationships within the scientific community.
Postgraduate preparation: The department states that its undergraduate programs provide a foundation for advanced study in biochemistry, chemistry and related graduate programs, as well as professional schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and osteopathy.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral programs in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology and related scientific disciplines. The degree can also support progression into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and osteopathy, particularly when students use their elective and supporting coursework to meet the prerequisites of their intended program.