Biochemistry B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Maryland College Park

Program Overview

The Biochemistry B.S. at the University of Maryland combines chemistry and biological sciences to examine the molecular processes underlying life, with a particularly strong emphasis on advanced biochemistry, laboratory work and quantitative science. It is designed for students who want to become professional scientists or continue into advanced study in biochemistry, related research fields, medicine and other professional areas.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as MATH 140 Calculus I, MATH 141 Calculus II, CHEM 146 Principles of General Chemistry and CHEM 177 Introduction to Laboratory Practices and Research in the Chemical Sciences. The combination of calculus, general chemistry and introductory laboratory training prepares students for the more specialized chemistry, biology and biochemistry coursework that follows.

Year 2: Students progress into organic chemistry and molecular and cellular biology, with courses including CHEM 237 Principles of Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 247 Principles of Organic Chemistry II and BSCI 170 Principles of Molecular & Cellular Biology. This stage strengthens students' understanding of chemical reactions, biological systems and the molecular principles that connect chemistry with living organisms.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes substantially more biochemistry-focused through BCHM 461 Biochemistry I, BCHM 462 Biochemistry II and CHEM 481 Physical Chemistry I, while students also complete the associated CHEM 483 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I. These courses develop understanding of biomolecular structure and function, metabolism, chemical mechanisms and the quantitative principles behind biological processes.

Year 4: Students complete advanced study through BCHM 464 Biochemistry Laboratory, BCHM 465 Biochemistry III and BCHM 485 Physical Biochemistry, alongside CHEM 425 Instrumental Methods of Analysis and other approved requirements. The final stage emphasizes experimental biochemistry, protein function, molecular cloning, enzyme assays, DNA/RNA biology, cellular information processing and quantitative analysis.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, biomolecular structure and function, metabolism, physical biochemistry, protein science, genetics, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, chemical biology and laboratory research.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to interpret chemical and numerical information, safely conduct laboratory experiments, design and analyze experiments using appropriate instrumentation, evaluate scientific literature, communicate scientific findings effectively and apply ethical research practices. The program also prepares students to continue into scientific employment or graduate and professional education.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Biochemistry B.S. can be completed as an American Chemical Society (ACS)-certified degree. To obtain ACS certification, Biochemistry majors must complete CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry in addition to the standard major requirements; the department describes ACS certification as indicating a specified level of content and rigor for advanced training in the discipline.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Maryland reports a 91% Career Outcomes Rate for its 2025 bachelor's-degree graduates, based on its university-wide Graduation Survey, with 59.4% employed full-time and 23.3% continuing education among the graduates whose outcomes were reported. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to the Biochemistry B.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry B.S. places substantial emphasis on laboratory and research experience, with the department stating that a large fraction of Chemistry and Biochemistry majors undertake research projects. Students can work with faculty and researchers on active projects while developing practical skills in experimental design, biochemical analysis and scientific communication.

The program's practical learning is supported by advanced laboratory courses and shared research facilities, giving students opportunities to work with modern instrumentation and participate in the department's research community:

BCHM 464 Biochemistry Laboratory: Students use biochemical and genetic methods to study protein function, including site-directed mutagenesis, molecular cloning, protein purification, enzyme activity assays and computer modeling of protein structure.
BCHM 477 Biomolecular Measurement and Data Analysis: An approved upper-level laboratory option that provides practical training in biomolecular measurement and analysis.
CHEM 425 Instrumental Methods of Analysis: Students can choose this advanced laboratory course as one of the required upper-level laboratory options, developing experience with instrumental analytical methods.
Undergraduate research: Students can undertake research for credit through CHEM 399, working with departmental research faculty or affiliated scientists at nearby government laboratories.
Research partnerships: Departmental research opportunities are expanded through collaborations with nearby national laboratories and agencies including NIH, NIST and the FDA.
Core instrumentation facilities: The department maintains shared facilities for Analytical NMR, Surface Analysis, Biomolecular NMR, Mass Spectrometry, Optical Instrumentation and X-ray Crystallography.
Undergraduate laboratories: UMD's chemistry teaching laboratories include equipment such as refrigerated microcentrifuges, fluorimeters, spectrophotometers and analytical balances, with biochemistry laboratory work involving DNA and other biological samples.
Honors research: Students with at least a 3.0 GPA who have completed two semesters of CHEM 399 can pursue the departmental honors program, culminating in a senior honors thesis and seminar.
Professional networking: Student organizations including the American Chemical Society student affiliate program, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Alpha Chi Sigma provide opportunities for professional networking and exposure to the scientific community.
Research training for first-year students: UMD's First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) provides faculty-mentored research opportunities through 16 research streams and supports more than 600 new students each year.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. prepares graduates for scientific careers in areas including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, energy and food/agriculture industries, as well as government laboratories and healthcare-related fields. UMD also identifies postgraduate routes in biochemistry and related STEM disciplines, alongside professional programs such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biotechnology Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist and Laboratory Scientist:

University Career Center: UMD's Career Center tracks graduate destinations through its Graduation Survey and provides career-development resources to help students explore employment and further-study pathways.
Research experience: Undergraduate research can help students develop technical skills and become more competitive for employment and graduate-school admission. Students can work alongside faculty, graduate students and researchers in laboratory settings.
Industry opportunities: UMD reports that its chemistry and biochemistry graduates work in the chemical, energy, food/agriculture, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, including roles involving development of medicines, consumer products, agricultural products and advanced materials.
Government laboratories: The department identifies opportunities with organizations such as the NIH, FDA, NIST, EPA and NRL, while departmental collaborations with nearby national laboratories expand research opportunities.
Employment outcomes: UMD's 2025 university-wide Graduation Survey recorded a 91% Career Outcomes Rate; 59.4% of reported graduates were employed full-time and 23.3% were continuing education. These figures cover bachelor's graduates across UMD and are not specific to Biochemistry.
Salary figures: The official UMD Biochemistry B.S. sources reviewed do not publish a current program-specific graduate salary figure, so a salary should not be entered as a UMD Biochemistry graduate outcome without an official source.
Professional development: The department's American Chemical Society student affiliate program provides professional networking, access to job and internship announcements, participation in national meetings and public outreach activities.
Long-term professional value: Completing the additional requirements for ACS certification gives Biochemistry B.S. graduates an ACS-certified degree and demonstrates completion of the specified level of disciplinary content and rigor.
Academic advising: Chemistry and Biochemistry majors receive mandatory advising each semester, helping students plan the highly structured sequence of courses and identify professional opportunities.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.S. or Ph.D. programs in biochemistry, chemistry and related STEM fields, including biophysics, medicinal chemistry, toxicology, environmental chemistry, materials science and bioengineering. UMD also identifies progression into professional programs such as M.D., D.D.S. and Pharm.D., as well as advanced study in public health, business, law, education and public policy.