Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UMass Amherst explores how chemical, physical, and genetic principles work together to control biological processes, making it a strong choice for students interested in biotechnology, biomedical science, research, healthcare, and related fields. Students build their foundation through biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics before progressing into advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, laboratory research, and interdisciplinary electives.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIO 151 – Introductory Biology I, BIO 152 – Introductory Biology II, and BIO 153 – Introductory Biology Lab, alongside CHEM 111 – General Chemistry for Science Majors I and CHEM 112 – General Chemistry for Science Majors II. Mathematics courses such as MATH 127/131 and MATH 128/132 develop the quantitative skills needed for later work in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Second Year: Students begin connecting chemistry and biology at the molecular level through BIOCHEM 285 – Cellular & Molecular Biology and BIOCHEM 311 – Genetics, while CHEM 261 – Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 262 – Organic Chemistry II, and CHEM 269 – Organic Chemistry Lab strengthen their understanding of chemical reactions and laboratory techniques. Physics and statistics requirements further broaden the scientific foundation.

Third Year: The program moves into more specialized biochemical study with BIOCHEM 376 – Introductory Biochemistry Lab, BIOCHEM 394RI – Real World Biochemistry, and BIOCHEM 423 – General Biochemistry I. Students investigate biochemical processes experimentally, develop integrative problem-solving skills, and begin using their advanced elective credits to explore areas aligned with their interests.

Fourth Year: Students deepen their expertise through BIOCHEM 424 – General Biochemistry II, BIOCHEM 426 – Advanced Biochemistry Lab, and BIOCHEM 430H – Biochemistry Writing Seminar, building advanced laboratory, scientific communication, and research skills. The program also allows advanced electives and independent research, giving students opportunities to specialize while preparing for scientific careers, graduate education, or professional schools.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, cellular biology, protein structure and function, biotechnology, laboratory science, chemical biology, biomedical science

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to explain biological processes using chemical and physical principles, understand information storage and flow and molecular structure-function relationships, evaluate and communicate scientific information, design and assess laboratory experiments safely, collaborate effectively, and engage in authentic biochemistry and molecular biology research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Near completion of the degree, students also have the opportunity to take an ASBMB proficiency examination that can be highlighted on a résumé or CV.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UMass Amherst reports that 750 undergraduate students are enrolled in BMB, with $4.5 million in research awards, while all BMB undergraduates participate in authentic course-based laboratory research experiences. The university's BMB career information also identifies employers and destinations including AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health among recent alumni employers or destinations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Practical research is built directly into the B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology rather than being limited to optional activities. All BMB majors participate in authentic, course-based laboratory research experiences (CUREs), while students can also undertake independent research with faculty, internships, co-ops, and advanced laboratory courses.

Students can work across the department and wider UMass research community, including laboratories investigating protein structure-function, plant natural products, plant-microbe signaling, cellular signal transduction, and other areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. The 157,000-square-foot Integrated Sciences Building provides modern classrooms and laboratories, including undergraduate chemistry teaching labs and upper-level molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and physiology laboratories.

Key opportunities and facilities include:

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs): Every BMB major participates in authentic research projects conducted as part of the curriculum.
BIOCHEM 376 – Introductory Biochemistry Lab: Provides structured laboratory training before students progress to more advanced experimental work.
BIOCHEM 426 – Advanced Biochemistry Lab: Provides advanced practical laboratory experience after students complete introductory biochemistry laboratory and General Biochemistry I.
Independent research: Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to participate in independent-study research and can join research teams across BMB and other departments.
Faculty research teams: Undergraduate researchers work alongside faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, and other undergraduate researchers on defined research problems.
Advanced research areas: Students can gain experience in areas including protein folding and associated diseases, cellular signal transduction, plant natural products, and plant-environment interactions.
Internships and co-ops: BMB students can participate in professional internships and semester-long co-ops to gain workplace experience related to their career interests.
BIOCHEM 298 and BIOCHEM 498Y: UMass lists these courses as options for BMB undergraduate internship experiences, although internship credits do not currently count toward the BMB major requirements.
Integrated Sciences Building: The facility contains undergraduate chemistry laboratories and upper-level molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and physiology laboratories, with laboratory capacity for approximately 4,640 students per semester.
Research opportunity support: The Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies provides peer advising, a Research Readiness Moodle course, and an opportunity-search system to help students find research placements.
Conference support: BMB offers an undergraduate travel award of up to $500 toward conference, meeting, or workshop travel when funding is available and eligibility conditions are met.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology prepares students for scientific, technical, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical research, and educational pathways, while also providing a foundation for medical, dental, pharmacy, and other professional schools. UMass specifically identifies opportunities across biotechnology, clinical research, pharmaceuticals, forensics, government, agriculture, science communication, and science policy, with recent alumni destinations including major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research institutes, and medical centers.

Typical job roles include Biochemist, Clinical Research Specialist, Laboratory Supervisor, Geneticist.

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment or further study through:

Career advising: The CNS Career & Professional Development Center helps BMB students find internships, co-ops, and research opportunities while developing strategies to demonstrate their value to employers.
Faculty mentoring: BMB faculty advise students about graduate school, careers, research opportunities, and how to make the most of their degree.
Pre-med/pre-health advising: Students interested in health professions can work with pre-med/pre-health advisors on preparation for professional-school applications.
Internships and co-ops: Students can gain professional-level experience through internships and paid co-ops related to their major. UMass defines a co-op as a full-time paid position of at least 30 hours per week, typically lasting 4–9 months.
Recent BMB destinations: UMass lists recent alumni employers and destinations including AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NIH, and UMass Chan Medical School.
University-wide graduate outcomes: For the Class of 2025, UMass reported that 88% of undergraduate respondents obtained a career outcome related to their field of study; 59% were working, 28% were continuing education, 12% were still looking, and 1% were not seeking.
Research preparation: Students can complete independent research and, where eligible, pursue honors research, building experience relevant to graduate-level scientific work.
Professional recognition: The ASBMB-accredited curriculum gives eligible students the opportunity to take an ASBMB proficiency examination that can be included on professional résumés and CVs.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress into graduate programs in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular genetics, genomics, immunology, pharmacology, virology, physiology, and nutrition, as well as professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry. UMass Amherst also offers related graduate pathways including M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Plant Biology, Neuroscience and Behavior, and Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, providing several routes for students who want to continue into advanced scientific research.