Biochemistry Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arizona

Program Overview

The University of Arizona’s Biochemistry B.S. uses chemistry to explore the molecular processes of life, preparing students for careers in biochemical and life-science research as well as postgraduate study in areas such as medicine and related health fields. Students build a strong foundation in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, mathematics and research while developing scientific communication, analytical thinking and hands-on laboratory skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through General Chemistry, Introductory Biology and mathematics, including calculus. This stage builds the chemistry and biological knowledge needed for advanced biochemistry while introducing students to the broader scientific environment at the University of Arizona.

Year 2: Students progress into Organic Chemistry and begin focused biochemistry study, including BIOC 296B: Introduction to Biochemical Research. BIOC 296B introduces experimental design, data interpretation, experimental controls and scientific discussion, giving students an early connection between classroom learning and research practice.

Year 3: Students deepen their understanding through BIOC 462A: Biochemistry and BIOC 462B: Biochemistry, studying the properties and metabolism of proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. BIOC 463A: Biochemical Laboratory Techniques then develops practical skills in areas such as spectroscopy, protein purification, enzyme assays, enzyme kinetics and molecular biology techniques.

Year 4: The final stage focuses on independent research and the BIOC 498 Senior Capstone. Students complete at least six units of BIOC 498/BIOC 498H over two semesters, carry out focused laboratory research with a faculty mentor, prepare a scientific thesis and present their work at the department’s undergraduate research poster fair.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular processes of life, protein structure and function, molecular genetics, medicinal biochemistry, metabolism, biochemical research, laboratory techniques, scientific data analysis, chemistry, biology, mathematics and information technology.

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to critically analyze biochemical experimental data, communicate scientific findings within the context of existing literature, conduct original biochemical research, apply core biochemical principles, formulate hypotheses and models, and design appropriate tests and experiments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of Arizona’s BA and BS Biochemistry programs are listed by the university as accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The university’s official accreditation listing records the accreditation for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s BA & BS in Biochemistry.

Reputation

While a program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking is not published on the official Biochemistry pages, the University of Arizona reports that it is a Top 20 public university in the 2026 U.S. News Global rankings and a Top 20 public research university according to the National Science Foundation’s 2025 data. The university also reports more than $1 billion in FY2024 research expenditures, creating a substantial research environment for students interested in laboratory and life-science research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry B.S. is strongly research-oriented: students are required to gain substantial laboratory research experience and complete a Senior Capstone project. Through BIOC 296B, directed research, biochemical laboratory training and the two-semester BIOC 498/BIOC 498H experience, students work with faculty mentors, interpret experimental data and develop the skills needed to conduct and communicate scientific research.

Students can also engage with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s advanced research infrastructure, including facilities supporting NMR, EPR, surface analysis, photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and nanoscale imaging. The W.M. Keck Center for Nano-Scale Imaging provides access to instruments such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy, FTIR and other imaging and characterization technologies.

Key experiential opportunities include:

BIOC 296B — Introduction to Biochemical Research: Students learn experimental design, data interpretation, experimental controls and scientific reasoning through discussions of published experiments.
BIOC 463A — Biochemical Laboratory Techniques: Hands-on training includes UV-visible spectroscopy, protein/enzyme purification, protein assays, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamic measurements, plasmid restriction digestion, cell transformation and gene-expression techniques.
BIOC 392/BIOC 492 — Directed Research: Students undertake individual or small-group research under faculty guidance.
BIOC 498/BIOC 498H — Senior Capstone/Thesis: Students conduct focused laboratory research, write a scientific thesis and present their research at the annual CBC Poster Fair.
W.M. Keck Center for Nano-Scale Imaging: Research instrumentation includes scanning probe microscopes, scanning electron microscopy with EDS and e-beam lithography, spinning-disk confocal microscopy, TIRF microscopy, AFM, FTIR, TGA and DSC.
Chemistry & Biochemistry Research Support Services: Students are part of a research environment containing facilities for NMR, EPR, surface analysis, photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and nanoscale materials characterization.
Undergraduate Poster Fair: The department’s annual event gives students a platform to present undergraduate research and Senior Capstone/Thesis projects.
Faculty advising and research mentoring: Biochemistry faculty advisors help students explore research, career and graduate-school opportunities and identify appropriate experiential-learning experiences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. is designed particularly for students interested in biochemical or life-science research and postgraduate study, while the department also identifies medicine, sustainability, agriculture, toxicology and pharmacology among the fields to which biochemistry can lead. The combination of advanced coursework, laboratory research and a substantial Senior Capstone gives graduates experience that can support entry-level scientific work or further professional and graduate education.

Typical career directions include biochemist, biochemical research scientist, laboratory research scientist and life-science researcher.

Students can build their next steps through:

Faculty and academic advising: Biochemistry faculty advisors help students identify career options, plan for long-term goals, explore experiential learning and receive professional or graduate-school advising.
Research experience: The university connects undergraduate students with research opportunities, including programs involving faculty mentorship and technical research training in biomedical fields such as biochemistry.
Research-intensive environment: UArizona reports more than $1 billion in annual research expenditures and a Top 20 position among public research universities, providing students with access to a large research ecosystem.
Commercialization and innovation: UArizona reports 135 startups launched, 615 U.S. patents issued and 537 licenses and options for university inventions, demonstrating an active pathway from university research toward commercialization.
Accreditation value: The university lists its BA and BS Biochemistry programs as ASBMB-accredited, providing an externally recognized professional framework for the biochemistry curriculum.
Research presentation: Students completing the Senior Capstone/Thesis present their work through the department’s undergraduate poster events, helping them practice communicating scientific research to an academic audience.
Employment and salary figures: A current Biochemistry B.S.-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure is not published on the official program pages reviewed, so a program-specific figure should not be stated as fact.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into postgraduate study in biochemistry, molecular and life sciences, medicine and other related health or scientific fields. The program’s research emphasis, faculty mentoring and Senior Capstone provide a strong foundation for students planning research-oriented graduate education or professional-school pathways.