Bachelors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Davis

Program Overview

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. at UC Davis explores how life works at the molecular level, combining biology and chemistry with quantitative approaches to understand biologically important molecules and processes. It suits students interested in research, biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals or advanced study, with the curriculum progressing from foundational sciences to advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, physical chemistry and intensive laboratory training.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong scientific foundation through introductory biology, chemistry and mathematics. Courses include BIO 001 – Introductory Biology: Ecology & Evolution, BIO 002 – Introductory Biology: Molecules to Cells, and MAT 017A – Calculus for Biology & Medicine, developing the biological and quantitative skills needed for later study.

Year 2: The curriculum develops core knowledge in biology and chemistry while students progress through organic chemistry and related laboratory work. Students can take CHE 118A – Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences, CHE 129A – Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and continue the foundational biological sciences needed for advanced molecular coursework.

Year 3: Students move into the major's advanced molecular and biochemical content, including MCB 121 – Advanced Molecular Biology, MCB 123 – Behavior & Analysis of Enzyme & Receptor Systems, and MCB 120 – Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Associated Lecture. These courses strengthen students' understanding of molecular mechanisms while building practical research skills.

Year 4: Students consolidate their specialist knowledge through advanced laboratory training, physical chemistry and molecular structure and function. Courses such as MCB 120L – Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory, MCB 124 – Macromolecular Structure & Function, and CHE 107A – Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences provide deeper preparation for research and professional or graduate study.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, macromolecular structure and function, enzyme and receptor systems, molecular biology laboratory research, biological statistics

Learning outcomes

Students develop knowledge of the chemistry of living organisms, molecular and biochemical processes, quantitative problem-solving, experimental techniques, laboratory procedures, data analysis and research methods used to investigate biologically important molecules.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

UC Davis does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. on the official program or catalog pages reviewed. The program instead emphasizes rigorous laboratory and research preparation for careers in biomedical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agricultural and chemical fields, as well as graduate and professional study.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UC Davis reports that its Biological Sciences programs were tied for 21st nationally in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings and 43rd globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Biological Sciences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places strong emphasis on practical research preparation: UC Davis states that advanced coursework gives students extensive opportunities to develop familiarity with research laboratory procedures, while the College of Biological Sciences provides undergraduate research opportunities involving experiments, testing and data collection. Students can work with faculty researchers and access interdisciplinary research environments across biological sciences, biotechnology, genomics and molecular research.

Students can gain hands-on experience through opportunities such as:

Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory (MCB 120L): intensive laboratory training focused on biochemical research techniques.
Undergraduate research: students can participate in research projects with faculty and graduate researchers, including wet-lab, dry-lab and clinical research environments.
ASPIRE: an undergraduate honors research program providing selected students with intensive research experience under faculty mentorship.
Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs): students work on research questions or problems connected with the instructor's or wider research community's interests.
UC Davis Genome Center: provides opportunities connected with genomics research and includes specialized research infrastructure such as bioinformatics and DNA technologies.
Bioinformatics Core: supports acquisition, curation and analysis of complex biological datasets, particularly sequence data.
Proteomics Core: provides analytical proteomics capabilities including quantitative protein profiling, macromolecular-complex analysis and protein identification.
Metabolomics Core: supports analysis of biochemical pathways and more than 1,200 identified metabolites using validated analytical methods.
Biological Electron Microscopy Facility: provides advanced imaging capabilities for research involving macromolecular assemblies, organelles and tissues; UC Davis also reports access to cryo-electron microscopy for atomic-resolution structural studies.
Internships: UC Davis provides internship opportunities through campus, UC Davis Medical Center, local industry and faculty-led research environments.
Career Center and Handshake: students receive career advising, resume support, workshops and access to Handshake for connecting with employers and internship opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S. can pursue research, laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare and agricultural opportunities. UC Davis specifically lists Research Scientist, Biotech Associate Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Technologist, Pharmaceutical/Biotech Researcher, Healthcare Clinical Researcher, Production Manager and Agricultural Technologist among career outcomes, while alumni employers listed by the university include Genentech, Roche, Thermo Fisher Scientific, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health.

Typical career directions include:

Research Scientist – conduct scientific research involving biochemical and molecular processes.
Biotech Associate Scientist – contribute to biotechnology research and development.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist – apply laboratory science in clinical environments.
Laboratory Technologist – perform laboratory testing and research procedures.
Pharmaceutical/Biotech Researcher – work in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research.
Healthcare Clinical Researcher – support research involving healthcare and clinical applications.
Production Manager – pursue production and operations roles within relevant scientific industries.

Employment and career support

Career Center: UC Davis provides career advising, one-to-one career coaching, resume support, events, workshops and employer connections through Handshake.
Internships and research: students can gain experience through internships on campus, at UC Davis Medical Center, with local industry and through faculty research.
Alumni employers: the university identifies Genentech, Roche, Intrexon, Thermo Fisher Scientific, U.S. Department of Agriculture and California Department of Public Health among alumni employers.
Employment statistics: UC Davis's major-specific career data page currently reports an insufficient sample size to display employment data for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, so an official program-specific employment rate or salary figure should not be added.
College outcomes: UC Davis College of Biological Sciences reports that 32% of students have internships or field experience and 58% complete a research project or paper; these are college-level figures rather than Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-specific statistics.
Research environment: students can connect with the UC Davis Genome Center, Biotechnology Program, School of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and other interdisciplinary research centers.
Long-term value: the major provides preparation for advanced study in graduate and professional schools, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, medicine, veterinary sciences and agricultural sciences.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can progress to graduate study in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Veterinary Sciences or Agricultural Sciences. UC Davis specifically notes that the major provides strong preparation for graduate and professional schools, allowing students to build on their laboratory, quantitative and molecular-science training through advanced study.