Biochemistry Undergraduate Major

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Riverside

Program Overview

UC Riverside’s Biochemistry major combines chemistry and biology to explore how molecules and chemical reactions drive biological processes, with Biology, Chemistry, and Medical Sciences emphases allowing students to tailor the degree to research, scientific, or health-profession goals. Students can pursue either a B.A. or B.S. while building a strong foundation in quantitative biochemistry, laboratory science, and molecular biology, with extensive opportunities to participate in research across campus.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish the scientific and mathematical foundation of the major through courses such as CHEM 1A/1LA, CHEM 1B/1LB, CHEM 1C/1LC, BIOL 5A/5LA, and MATH 6A/6B or MATH 7A/7B, alongside writing and breadth requirements. The year introduces students to general chemistry, introductory biology, mathematics, and laboratory work that prepare them for the highly sequential upper-division curriculum.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized scientific study with CHEM 8A/8LA, CHEM 8B/8LB, CHEM 8C/8LC in organic chemistry, together with BIOL 5B/5C, PHYS 2A/2LA, mathematics, and BCH 15. Students may also take BCH 100 where appropriate, which UCR recommends for students who need additional preparation before beginning the BCH 110A–110C sequence.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes strongly focused on biochemistry through BCH 110A, BCH 110B, and BCH 110C, supported by courses such as BIOL 102, PHYS 2B/2LB and PHYS 2C/2LC, and STAT 10. Students develop deeper knowledge of biochemical processes while continuing quantitative, biological, and physical-science training, and may begin undergraduate research through opportunities such as BCH 98-I or, with the required status and approval, BCH 197.

Fourth Year: Advanced study includes courses such as CHEM 109, BCH 184, BCH 162 Advanced Biochemistry Lab, and upper-division major electives, with the exact selection varying by emphasis. This stage brings together advanced biochemical theory, laboratory techniques, research preparation, and specialized coursework aligned with careers in research or health professions.

Focus areas

Biology, Chemistry, Medical Sciences, molecular biology, physical biochemistry, plant biochemistry and molecular biology, metabolomics, signal transduction, biomedical science, and quantitative understanding of biomolecular processes.

Learning outcomes

Students develop quantitative and analytical understanding of biomolecular processes, integrate chemistry and biology to explain biological mechanisms, build laboratory and critical-thinking skills, and gain practical research experience through laboratory courses and opportunities for independent research.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

UCR's official Biochemistry pages do not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation for the undergraduate B.A./B.S. Biochemistry major. The program instead emphasizes preparation for graduate study, research careers, and health-profession programs, with the Medical Sciences emphasis specifically designed around health-profession preparation.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UC Riverside reports strong university-wide research and graduate-outcome recognition. In 2026, UCR was ranked No. 30 among public universities for research by Washington Monthly, while its official rankings page reports No. 22 for most innovative schools according to U.S. News & World Report; these are university-level measures rather than Biochemistry-specific rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Biochemistry students at UC Riverside can gain practical experience through laboratory courses, directed research, internships, and interdisciplinary research across campus. The department specifically encourages undergraduates to participate in laboratories working in areas such as molecular biology, physical biochemistry, plant biochemistry, metabolomics, signal transduction, and biomedical science, while campus-wide research facilities provide access to specialized scientific infrastructure.

Students can build research experience for academic credit through BCH 197: Research for Undergraduate Students, and UCR's Biochemistry curriculum also includes BCH 162 Advanced Biochemistry Lab. The department additionally provides an internship pathway through BCH 198-I, while the UCR Career Center explains how qualifying internships can receive academic credit.

Specific opportunities include:

BCH 197 Directed Research: Junior-status students with faculty approval can undertake hands-on research in a university laboratory, earn 1–4 units per quarter, and submit a final research report.
BCH 162 Advanced Biochemistry Lab: Provides advanced laboratory experience as part of the Biochemistry degree plan.
BCH 198-I Internship in Biochemistry: UCR's Biochemistry curriculum includes an internship route providing on-the-job biochemical experience in government, industrial, or clinical laboratories, subject to departmental and laboratory approval.
Metabolomics Core Facility: UCR's facility includes high-resolution mass spectrometry, UPLC-MS, MALDI imaging, triple-quadrupole MS, and GC-MS instrumentation used for metabolomics and lipidomics research.
Institute for Integrative Genome Biology: UCR lists proteomics, metabolomics, genomics, and bioinformatics among its College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences core facilities.
Research areas: Undergraduate opportunities connect with research in molecular biology, physical biochemistry, plant biochemistry and molecular biology, metabolomics, signal transduction, and biomedical science.
Interdisciplinary research: Students can work with affiliated faculty across UCR, including researchers connected with the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, Bourns College of Engineering, and UCR School of Medicine.
Faculty mentorship: Students can identify a faculty laboratory matching their interests and contact the faculty member directly about undergraduate research opportunities.
Career and internship support: UCR's Career Center provides a formal process for students to receive academic credit for eligible internships and employment aligned with their academic goals.
Biochemistry Club: The department's undergraduate club provides opportunities for student collaboration, mentoring, mutual support, and volunteering.

Progression & Future Opportunities

UC Riverside's Biochemistry degree is designed to keep several pathways open, including research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical work, laboratory science, teaching, and health professions. The Biology and Chemistry emphases are particularly suited to research-oriented pathways, while the Medical Sciences emphasis includes coursework recommended for students planning careers in the health professions.

Typical career directions include biotech industry specialist, biomedical researcher, clinical laboratory scientist, pharmaceutical scientist, with additional UCR-listed pathways such as forensic scientist, quality control analyst, toxicologist, geneticist, medical science liaison, and healthcare consultant. Some of these careers require additional professional education or certification beyond a bachelor's degree.

Key progression and career-support opportunities include:

Academic and career advising: CNAS professional academic advisors provide individual guidance throughout students' academic careers, while a Biochemistry Lead Faculty Advisor can advise on graduate/professional school, research, independent study, internships, and career goals.
Career Center: UCR's Career Center tracks graduates' first destinations within six months of graduation and provides an interactive dashboard covering career destinations, locations, and salary ranges.
Research preparation: Students can gain university-laboratory experience through BCH 197 and research projects with Biochemistry faculty, strengthening preparation for research-oriented employment or graduate school.
Health-profession pathways: UCR specifically identifies medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and optometry schools as pathways associated with the Biochemistry major.
Industry sectors: UCR identifies pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies such as the NIH, USDA, EPA and FBI, and research positions at colleges and universities as potential employment sectors.
Internship experience: The Biochemistry internship route provides experience in government, industrial, or clinical laboratories, giving students an opportunity to connect academic study with professional laboratory work.
Employment and salary data: UCR's official First-Destination Survey provides graduate career locations and salary ranges through its interactive dashboard, but the publicly indexed page does not provide a Biochemistry-specific salary figure; therefore, a program-specific salary number has not been added here.
Research environment: UCR's department works across areas including structural biology, biophysics, RNA biology, metabolomics, genome stability, enzymology, genetic engineering, and biomedical research, supporting research-oriented progression.
Research recognition: UCR reports that a Biochemistry major was among its 2026–27 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipients, illustrating one possible route from undergraduate research into competitive graduate research opportunities.
Long-term academic value: The degree provides preparation for graduate study in the sciences as well as professional programs in health-related fields. UCR's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. study for students who want to continue into advanced research training.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into UCR's M.S. or Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where areas of specialization include molecular biology, physical biochemistry, plant biochemistry and molecular biology, signal transduction, metabolomics, and biomedical science. Depending on their chosen emphasis and career goal, graduates can also apply to medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, optometry, or other relevant professional programs.