Biochemistry B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Los Angeles

Program Overview

The Biochemistry B.S. at UCLA combines chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics to explore how molecules, enzymes, DNA, RNA and metabolic processes work together in living systems, making it particularly suited to students interested in biochemical research, medicine, biotechnology or graduate study. The program builds from foundational science into advanced biochemistry, including molecular structure, metabolism, biochemical methods and physical biochemistry, while also offering access to research opportunities and specialized scientific facilities.

Curriculum Structure

Early-stage study: Students first establish a rigorous scientific foundation through courses such as CHEM 1 – Connections in Chemistry and Biochemistry, CHEM 20A – Chemical Structure, and CHEM 20B – Chemical Energetics and Change, together with mathematics, physics and life-science preparation. The curriculum also develops practical laboratory skills through courses such as CHEM 20L – General Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 30AL – General Chemistry Laboratory II.

Intermediate study: Students then progress into organic chemistry and the molecular basis of biological systems through CHEM 30A – Organic Chemistry I: Structure and Reactivity, CHEM 30B – Organic Chemistry II: Reactivity, Synthesis, and Spectroscopy, and CHEM 30C – Organic Chemistry III: Reactivity, Synthesis, and Biomolecules. Laboratory components such as CHEM 30BL – Organic Chemistry Laboratory I help students connect chemical theory with experimental practice.

Advanced study: Upper-division work focuses directly on biochemistry through CHEM 153A – Biochemistry: Introduction to Structure, Enzymes, and Metabolism, CHEM 153B – Biochemistry: DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis, and CHEM 153C – Biochemistry: Biosynthetic and Energy Metabolism and Its Regulation. Students also develop experimental skills through CHEM 153L – Biochemical Methods I and CHEM 154 – Biochemical Methods II, while CHEM 156 – Physical Biochemistry adds a quantitative perspective to biological molecular systems.

Final-stage study: Students complete advanced major requirements and approved upper-division electives, allowing them to explore areas beyond the core curriculum. Current 2026–27 offerings include subjects such as CHEM C159/C259 – Mechanisms of Gene Regulation, CHEM C164/C265 – Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, CHEM 266 – Proteomics and Protein Mass Spectrometry, and CHEM 268 – Biochemistry Research Seminar, depending on availability and prerequisites.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, metabolism, DNA and RNA, protein synthesis, biochemical methods, physical biochemistry, chemical biology, structural biology, proteomics, systems biology, bioinformatics and biological regulation.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand chemical and biochemical principles, analyze biological molecules and processes, apply quantitative and laboratory methods, interpret scientific information and build a foundation for research and professional or graduate study. The curriculum also provides extensive preparation in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

UCLA states that the Biochemistry B.S. is designed primarily for students interested in graduate study in biochemistry or related areas and also satisfies many requirements for medical and other professional schools. UCLA advises students pursuing professional schools to check each school's individual prerequisites because requirements vary.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UCLA reports a 93% six-year graduation rate for first-year and transfer students and ranks #21 among U.S. universities for employability in the Times Higher Education 2026 ranking. UCLA also reports a #9 ranking among public universities for student outcomes in the Times Higher Education 2025 rankings. These are university-level measures rather than rankings specific to the Biochemistry B.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UCLA gives Biochemistry B.S. students opportunities to move beyond classroom learning through faculty-guided research, laboratory courses and access to advanced molecular instrumentation. The department offers dedicated undergraduate research courses, summer research programs and fellowships, while its research infrastructure includes mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, cryo-EM and specialized biochemistry instrumentation.

Students can build practical experience through several structured opportunities:

CHEM 153L – Biochemical Methods I: Provides hands-on training in biochemical experimental methods as part of the advanced Biochemistry curriculum.
CHEM 154 – Biochemical Methods II: Extends students' practical biochemical methods training and is part of the current Biochemistry B.S. upper-division curriculum.
Undergraduate research: Students can work with faculty mentors through CHEM 99, CHEM 196A, CHEM 196B and CHEM 199, with research projects required to be chemical or biochemical in nature for departmental research tutorials.
Student Research Program: UCLA's Undergraduate Research Center–Sciences supports students working with faculty on research projects and provides research training, mentoring, summer programs, academic-year opportunities and research stipends.
2026 research fellowships: UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry awarded research fellowships to 32 undergraduate students in 2026, enabling recipients to conduct research in faculty laboratories.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF): Selected students can conduct summer research with a Chemistry or Biochemistry faculty mentor through the department's SURF program.
Molecular Instrumentation Center: Students and researchers have access to sophisticated molecular characterization capabilities, including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, materials characterization, and MicroED & cryo-EM.
Biochemistry Instrumentation Core Facility: The UCLA-DOE Biochemistry Instrumentation Core supports molecular-weight determination, ligand-binding analysis, structural characterization, gel documentation, radioisotope detection and spectroscopy.
Advanced mass spectrometry: Department facilities include instruments such as Agilent Q-TOF LC/MS systems, Bruker MALDI TOF-TOF, Sciex QTrap systems and Thermo Orbitrap mass spectrometers.
Computational research: UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry research includes structural and computational biology, systems biology and biological regulation, with computational resources supporting research activities.
Career-focused practical development: CHEM 147 – Careers in Chemistry and Biochemistry includes resume-writing, a Career Center visit, alumni presentations, Q&A sessions and networking with faculty and professionals from industry, government, research, healthcare, education and law.
Professional research exposure: The department also highlights programs such as the Amgen Scholars Program, which can include faculty mentoring, biotechnology activities, workshops, seminars and poster presentations.
Library resources: UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry provides dedicated Library Resources for Chemists and Biochemists alongside its research facilities and instrumentation resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The UCLA Biochemistry B.S. is designed particularly for students considering graduate study in biochemistry and related disciplines, while also providing preparation for medical and other professional schools. UCLA's department also highlights career possibilities across industry, government, research, education, law and healthcare through its dedicated Careers in Chemistry and Biochemistry seminar.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biochemical Research Assistant, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Biotechnology Researcher:

Career Center support: UCLA's Career Center provides career counseling, career exploration, job-placement resources, career fairs, workshops, employer information sessions and industry networking opportunities. From July 2026, UCLA's Career Center moved its jobs, internships, appointments and events platform from Handshake to 12twenty.
Career-focused departmental course: CHEM 147 brings UCLA alumni from sectors including industry, government, research, development, education, law and healthcare to discuss career paths and professional development with students.
Research-to-career exposure: Recent CHEM 147 alumni examples include graduates working at Amgen, Edwards Lifesciences, ImmunityBio, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Sandia National Laboratories, illustrating the range of sectors represented by departmental alumni. These examples are individual alumni outcomes, not a placement rate for the entire B.S. cohort.
Research progression: UCLA's undergraduate research system provides pathways from entry-level research through research apprenticeships and independent research, helping students build experience relevant to graduate-level scientific work.
Graduate-study preparation: UCLA explicitly states that the Biochemistry B.S. is designed primarily for students interested in graduate school in Biochemistry or related areas and satisfies many requirements for medical and other professional schools.
Professional-school pathway: The major covers many of the standard science requirements used by medical schools, although UCLA advises students to verify prerequisites individually with each professional school.
PharmD linkage: The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has partnered with West Coast University School of Pharmacy on a PharmD Linkage Program specifically for UCLA students and alumni interested in pursuing a PharmD.
Employment statistics: UCLA's published #21 U.S. employability ranking and 93% six-year graduation rate are university-level indicators; UCLA does not present these figures as Biochemistry B.S.-specific employment rates.
Salary figures: UCLA's official Biochemistry B.S. materials and departmental career pages do not provide a current program-specific graduate salary figure. Therefore, a Biochemistry-specific salary should not be entered as a UCLA graduate salary without another official source.
Industry and professional connections: Departmental alumni working in companies and organizations such as Amgen, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Edwards Lifesciences and Sandia National Laboratories provide examples of professional destinations, while CHEM 147 creates direct opportunities for alumni networking.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can progress to graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, chemistry and related fields, or apply to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, subject to each institution's admission prerequisites. UCLA also offers graduate-level study in biochemistry and related research areas, providing a potential route from undergraduate research into advanced scientific training.