Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Kansas

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry at the University of Kansas explores life at the molecular level, combining cell biology, physiology, organic chemistry and physical chemistry to understand how biological systems function. The program develops a strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry and biological physical chemistry, preparing students for laboratory-based careers, healthcare-related pathways, graduate study and further professional education.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation in molecular and organismal biology, general chemistry, mathematics and scientific study. Key courses include BIOL 150 Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, BIOL 152 Principles of Organismal Biology, CHEM 130 General Chemistry I, CHEM 135 General Chemistry II and MATH 115/125 Calculus I.

Year 2: The curriculum advances into organic chemistry, genetics, calculus and biostatistics while students also complete the B.A. second-language requirement. Major courses include CHEM 330 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II, BIOL 350 Principles of Genetics and BIOL 370 Introduction to Biostatistics.

Year 3: Students move into advanced biochemical study and laboratory work, supported by physics and continued language study. Core courses include BIOL 636 Biochemistry I, BIOL 637 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory, BIOL 638 Biochemistry II and BIOL 639 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory, with PHSX 114/115 College Physics I and II.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes cellular mechanisms, biological physical chemistry, advanced biology electives and completion of the degree's broader KU Core requirements. Students take BIOL 416 Cell Structure and Function, CHEM 510 Biological Physical Chemistry, an upper-level biology elective and complete the advanced laboratory capstone through BIOL 639.

Focus Areas

Molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, biological physical chemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, cell structure and function, biostatistics, laboratory science, scientific communication and quantitative analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates learn to explain genetic variation and evolutionary processes, understand gene expression and biological responses, connect biological structure with function across molecular-to-organismal levels, apply the scientific method, communicate scientific findings, and use quantitative, statistical and informatics approaches to interpret biological-science questions.

Professional Alignment

The B.A. in Biochemistry is an undergraduate degree accredited institutionally through the Higher Learning Commission; KU does not identify a separate specialized professional accreditation for this B.A. biochemistry program.

Reputation

The University of Kansas is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and its Molecular Biosciences department supports interdisciplinary research spanning biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, bioinformatics, genetics, genomics, immunology and other life-science fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students can complement classroom learning through undergraduate research with Molecular Biosciences faculty, where research opportunities span areas such as biochemistry, structural biology, protein chemistry, proteomics, metabolic biology and computational biology. KU also provides research-development opportunities through the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, Beckman Scholars, Emerging Scholars, Kansas INBRE and NSF-supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU).

Research: Faculty-mentored undergraduate research in Molecular Biosciences
Laboratory experience: Introductory and advanced biochemistry laboratories through BIOL 637 and BIOL 639
Research programs: Beckman Scholars, Emerging Scholars, Kansas INBRE and NSF REU
Scientific facilities: Microscopy and imaging, biomolecular NMR, protein production, protein structure/crystallography, high-throughput screening, mass spectrometry, genome sequencing and computational modeling facilities
Research areas: Enzymology, structural biology, protein chemistry, proteomics, metabolic biology and computational biology
Research presentation: Undergraduate students can participate in KU's Undergraduate Research Symposium and present research findings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.A. in Biochemistry provides a broad molecular-life-science foundation that can support laboratory, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, scientific communication and research-related careers. KU's University Career Center connects biological-science students with career exploration, internships, employment resources and professional development, while the department provides undergraduate research and mentoring opportunities.

Potential career roles: Biotechnologist, Clinical Researcher, Laboratory Technician, Medical Technologist, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Pharmacologist/Toxicologist, Forensic Scientist, Geneticist, Cytologist, Food and Drug Inspector, Patent Examiner, Science Writer, Epidemiologist and Research Scientist.

Career services: KU University Career Center provides career advising, job and internship resources, Handshake and employer-related opportunities.
Research opportunities: Students can gain faculty-mentored research experience and access undergraduate research funding and programs.
Industry and research exposure: Molecular Biosciences research connects students with interdisciplinary work spanning biomedical and life-science fields.
Professional development: KU provides career exploration, resume/interview preparation, networking and internship resources.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into graduate and professional education. KU offers graduate programs including the M.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics, while the B.A. also provides relevant preparation for students pursuing professional pathways in healthcare and related fields.