Biochemistry, BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Hawaii Manoa

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa provides a rigorous foundation in the chemistry and biology of living systems, combining substantial laboratory work with mathematics, physics, and advanced biochemical study. It is well suited to students interested in biomedical science, biotechnology, laboratory research, or further professional and graduate study, with a 120-credit curriculum that builds from foundational science into advanced biochemistry and specialized electives.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by developing the scientific foundation needed for the major through General Chemistry and Biology, supported by laboratory experience and calculus. Key courses include CHEM 161 – General Chemistry I, BIOL 171 – Introduction to Biology I, and MATH 241 – Calculus I (with approved alternatives for calculus). The second semester continues with CHEM 162 – General Chemistry II, BIOL 172 – Introduction to Biology II, and Calculus II, giving students a strong base for more advanced chemistry and biological sciences.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into more specialized physical sciences, with students studying CHEM 272 – Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 273 – Organic Chemistry II, each accompanied by laboratory work. Students also complete PHYS 170 – General Physics I and PHYS 272 – General Physics II, developing the quantitative and physical-science background needed to understand biochemical systems.

Year 3: Students begin connecting chemistry and biology more directly through subjects such as BIOL 275 – Cell and Molecular Biology and CHEM 372 – Bioorganic Chemistry. They also take CHEM 274 – Principles of Analytical Chemistry with its laboratory component and begin using major electives to explore areas that can include molecular biotechnology, genetics, molecular cell biology, microbiology, or related fields.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced biochemical concepts and allows students to deepen their interests through major electives and laboratory courses. Students study BIOL 402/MBBE 402 – Principles of Biochemistry, CHEM 461 – Physical Biochemistry, and CHEM 462 – Advanced Biochemistry with its laboratory, bringing together the chemical, biological, and analytical knowledge developed throughout the degree.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, molecular biotechnology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, cancer biology, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, environmental biochemistry and advanced laboratory science.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong foundation in chemistry and biology while building experimental, analytical and quantitative skills through laboratory-based coursework. The elective structure also allows students to explore areas such as molecular biotechnology, genetics, bioinformatics, microbiology, immunology and synthetic biology, supporting preparation for research, biomedical and other science-related pathways.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The official University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biochemistry. The program instead emphasizes a rigorous scientific curriculum, laboratory training and research preparation.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The official UH Mānoa sources reviewed do not publish a specific employability ranking for the B.S. in Biochemistry. UH Mānoa does identify itself as an R1 research university, and its Chemistry Department reports a substantial research environment involving faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biochemistry places substantial emphasis on laboratory-based learning, with students completing chemistry, biology, physics and advanced biochemistry laboratory courses throughout the degree. The curriculum also allows students to undertake approved directed research and laboratory electives, while UH Mānoa's Chemistry Department encourages undergraduate students to participate in faculty-led research projects where they can work with real chemical problems and interact with faculty, graduate students and other researchers.

Students can develop practical experience through:

General and advanced laboratories: Students complete laboratory components in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Advanced Biochemistry.
Directed research: CHEM 399L – Directed Research is included among the approved biochemistry electives, allowing students to pursue supervised research for credit.
Molecular biotechnology: Students can select BIOL 401/MBBE 401 – Molecular Biotechnology and BIOL 401L/MBBE 401L – Molecular Biotechnology Lab-Gene Editing by CRISPR/Cas9.
Molecular and cellular research: Elective options include BIOL 407 – Molecular Cell Biology I, BIOL 408/MBBE 408/MCB 408 – Molecular Cellular Biology II, and BIOL 408L/MCB 408L – Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory.
Cancer research: Students can pursue BIOL 472 – The Biology of Cancer together with BIOL 472L – Cancer Research Laboratory.
Bioinformatics: BIOL 483/MBBE 483 – Introduction to Bioinformatics Topics for Biologists provides an opportunity to explore computational approaches within biological science.
Microbiology and immunology laboratories: Elective choices include laboratory courses in microbial physiology, immunology, pathogens, bacterial genetics and virology.
Chemistry research facilities: The Department of Chemistry supports research and undergraduate classes through facilities including NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), circular dichroism spectroscopy, and electronics and machine shops.
Undergraduate research opportunities: UH Mānoa's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and other research initiatives connect students with faculty-mentored research opportunities across the university.
Research environment: The Chemistry Department reports research activity spanning bioinorganic, organic, inorganic, physical, bioorganic and natural-products chemistry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry can prepare graduates for science-focused careers by combining chemistry, biology, laboratory science and research experience. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa specifically describes chemistry and biochemistry as fields that provide scientific and experimental preparation for research, teaching, business and professional practice, while noting their relevance to biomedical careers.

Typical career directions include:

Biochemistry laboratory technician, research assistant, biotechnology laboratory specialist, pharmaceutical laboratory professional

Career development and progression can be supported through:

Career services: The Mānoa Career Center helps students and recent graduates explore career options, build experience and connect with employment opportunities. It provides career fairs, resume and cover-letter support, recruitment activities and access to job and internship opportunities.
Research experience: The Chemistry Department encourages undergraduate research and notes that research experience can strengthen a student's preparation for graduate school or employment. Students can work with faculty, graduate students and other researchers in departmental laboratories.
Research opportunities across UH Mānoa: Students can explore faculty-mentored opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), ForagerOne, INBRE and NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
Employer connections: The Mānoa Career Center provides employer recruitment programs, career fairs, on-campus interviews and opportunities for employers to post jobs and internships for UH Mānoa students and alumni.
Research environment: UH Mānoa identifies itself as an R1 research university and provides students with access to a broad university research environment, including affiliated biomedical and life-science research opportunities.
Industry and professional exposure: The Career Center facilitates connections between employers and students through recruitment events and career fairs. The official sources reviewed do not identify a specific industry partnership dedicated exclusively to the B.S. in Biochemistry.
Employment statistics and salary: The official University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sources reviewed do not provide a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure for the B.S. in Biochemistry. Therefore, no salary or employment percentage is stated here.
Accreditation value: The official program information reviewed does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the B.S. in Biochemistry.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into graduate or professional education depending on their goals. UH Mānoa offers master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs, while the research-intensive curriculum and laboratory experience can provide a foundation for students pursuing advanced study in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedical sciences or related fields.