Biochemistry (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Dayton

Program Overview

The University of Dayton’s Biochemistry B.S. combines biology and chemistry to help students understand life at the molecular level while preparing for careers in the biochemical and life sciences. The program is especially suited to students interested in research, biotechnology, medicine, pharmaceuticals or graduate study, with a strong emphasis on laboratory experience and faculty-mentored research.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through CHM 123/123L – General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory, CHM 124/124L – General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory, and BIO 151/151L – Concepts of Biology I: Cellular & Molecular Biology and Laboratory. Mathematics through MTH 148 or MTH 168 also develops the quantitative skills needed for subsequent chemistry and biochemistry coursework.

Second Year: Students move into more advanced chemistry, biology and physics through CHM 313/313L and CHM 314/314L – Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory, PHY 201/201L – College Physics I and Laboratory, and BIO 415/BIO 415L or BIO 416. This stage strengthens students' understanding of chemical reactions, biological systems and experimental methods.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized, with CHM 303/303L and CHM 304 developing physical chemistry knowledge, while CHM 451 and CHM 452/CHM 462L provide advanced biochemical and analytical preparation. Students also complete MTH 367 – Statistical Methods I, together with a CHM/BIO elective and laboratory-based study.

Fourth Year: Students consolidate their scientific knowledge through a BIO/CHM elective with laboratory, an additional BIO/CHM elective and CHM 490 – Major Capstone. The final year also allows students to complement their biochemistry studies with neuroscience coursework and advanced Common Academic Program subjects.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological sciences, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, laboratory science, statistics, neuroscience, medicinal-pharmaceutical chemistry

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply modern laboratory techniques to scientific problems, analyze and communicate scientific information, conduct research and build the knowledge required for graduate school, professional school or employment in scientific fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The University of Dayton's Biochemistry B.S. is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The program's research emphasis, laboratory training and scientific curriculum support preparation for professional employment as well as graduate and professional education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Dayton reports that 100% of students can participate in experiential learning activities and that recent Biochemistry graduates have an average starting salary of $39,999. The university also reports a 93% success rate after graduation across the College of Arts and Sciences, while its Chemistry Department highlights strong progression into graduate-level study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry B.S. gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom theory and work directly with modern scientific instrumentation and research problems. Students can work alongside faculty in teaching and research laboratories, and the university encourages each Biochemistry student to undertake a research project that normally includes a 10-week summer period after the junior year, followed by a research thesis and seminar presentation.

Students can build practical skills through:

Faculty-mentored research: Students can work side-by-side with faculty on projects involving bacterial drug resistance, polymer biodegradation and photodynamic treatments for lung cancer.
10-week summer research: The program encourages students to complete a research project during the summer following the junior year, culminating in a thesis and seminar.
Cooperative education: Qualified B.S. students can participate in cooperative education after completing their sophomore year.
Modern chemical instrumentation: Upper-level students gain experience with a Bruker 300 MHz FT NMR, high-pressure liquid chromatography, GC-mass spectrometry, laser Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet spectroscopy.
Computational chemistry: Students have access to desktop and mainframe computing and high-speed parallel computing clusters for computational chemistry studies.
Research instrumentation: Departmental research facilities support work in X-ray crystallography, biochemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and organic synthesis and electroanalytical studies.
Advanced microscopy: The university provides access to scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy equipment through the Nano Engineering Science and Technology Center.
Undergraduate research programs: Students can pursue research through the Honors Program, College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Summer Fellowships, Integrated Science and Engineering Summer CoRPs and the Berry Summer Thesis Institute.
First-Year Research Experience (FYRE): First-year students can participate in a two-semester interdisciplinary research experience involving two six-week research rotations with faculty and campus researchers.
Research Institute opportunities: The University of Dayton Research Institute employs several hundred students in research programs, giving them exposure to contemporary science and engineering research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. prepares students for employment and further education across the biochemical and life sciences, with particular value for students who want to combine scientific knowledge with laboratory and research experience. The University of Dayton reports that approximately two-thirds of graduating Chemistry Department seniors immediately continue to graduate-level study in medicine, chemistry, biochemistry and related fields.

Typical career directions include:

Biochemist, Biomedical Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Pharmacologist

Students can strengthen their progression through:

Career Services: University career resources help students prepare for employment and connect their academic experience with career opportunities.
Holistic advising: Students work with a holistic advisor throughout their degree to plan academic and professional development.
Research experience: Faculty-mentored research, summer fellowships and independent research provide experience that can strengthen applications for scientific employment and postgraduate study.
Industry and research exposure: The Chemistry Department's hands-on research environment includes projects related to bacterial drug resistance, polymer coatings and cancer treatments.
Employment outcome: The university reports a $39,999 average starting salary for recent Biochemistry majors.
Graduation outcome: The university reports a 93% success rate after graduation across the College of Arts and Sciences.
Professional preparation: ACS approval provides a recognized framework for rigorous chemistry and laboratory preparation.
Further opportunities: The department reports graduates progressing into academia, industry and government, with many pursuing postgraduate education.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into graduate study in biochemistry, chemistry, biology and related life-science disciplines, or pursue professional education in areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other health professions. The University of Dayton also offers a Bachelor's Plus Master's pathway, allowing qualified Biochemistry students to earn both a B.S. and M.S. in five years.