B.S. in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Miami

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Miami combines chemistry, biology, molecular science, and nutrition, with the Biochemistry and Nutrition (BCHN) track exploring how metabolism, genetics, cellular processes, and nutrition interact in human health. It is well suited to students interested in medicine, nutrition, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food production, dentistry, veterinary medicine, forensics, toxicology, clinical chemistry, or graduate study in the biomedical sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIL 150 General Biology, CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry, and MTH 161/171 Calculus I, alongside laboratory courses such as General Biology Laboratory and Chemistry Laboratory I. The second semester advances into BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity, CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics, and CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory, while students continue Calculus II and writing coursework.

Sophomore Year: Students develop stronger chemical and quantitative skills through CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis and CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory, while also completing University Physics and its associated laboratory work. They then begin the central BMB sequence with BMB 401 Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences, which examines the biochemical composition, structure, and cellular metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Junior Year: The BCHN track moves deeper into molecular biology and research through BMB 514 Genetics and Genomics: Principles, Mechanisms, and Use, BMB 506 Biomedical Case Studies, and BMB 402 Principles of Experimental BMB or BMB 245 Foundations in BMB Research. Students also begin BMB 545 Research Problems in BMB, gaining experience in formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating research findings.

Senior Year: Students focus on nutrition and advanced biomedical biochemistry through BMB 417 Metabolic Regulation, BMB 519 Epigenetics and Nutrition, and BMB 555 Cellular Structure, Function, and Biology. The curriculum also includes BMB 501 Senior Seminars, BMB 518 Nanomedicine, and continued BMB 545 research, allowing students to connect metabolism, nutrition, genetics, cellular biology, and emerging biomedical technologies.

Focus areas:

Biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition, metabolism, genetics, genomics, epigenetics, cellular biology, biomedical sciences, nutritional impact, experimental biochemistry, bioinformatics, nanomedicine, molecular health

Learning outcomes:

Students develop scientific writing and critical-thinking skills, learn to analyze and synthesize biochemical research, and acquire essential skills for supervised biochemistry research. The program also develops students' abilities to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, draw evidence-based conclusions, and communicate scientific findings.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The University of Miami is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The official university bulletin does not identify a separate specialized professional accreditation for the B.S. in Biochemistry/Biochemistry and Nutrition track.

Reputation (employability/research):

The University of Miami describes its Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as part of a research-oriented university where students participate in creating new knowledge, with preparation for professional and graduate schools as well as positions in teaching and industry. The department is also connected with the Miller School of Medicine and offers undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and MD-PhD-related academic pathways in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program places substantial emphasis on research and laboratory learning rather than limiting students to classroom theory. Courses such as BMB 145 Introduction to BMB Research, BMB 245 Foundations in BMB Research, BMB 402 Principles of Experimental BMB, and BMB 545 Research Problems in BMB progressively move students from collaborative laboratory work and research-team observation toward independent faculty-mentored research.

Students can work with faculty research groups, prepare reagents, conduct experiments, analyze data, maintain research journals, write scientific reports, and present their findings. The department's broader biomedical research environment also connects undergraduate study with advanced areas of biochemistry and molecular biology, including genetics, cellular biology, nutritional science, bioinformatics, nanomedicine, and biomedical research.

Key practical and research opportunities include:

BMB 145 – Introduction to BMB Research: Students collaborate on a research project while developing laboratory skills and core competencies in biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics, scientific discourse, and ethics.
BMB 245 – Foundations in BMB Research: Students shadow a BMB faculty research assistant, learn research techniques, prepare reagents, conduct experiments, analyze data, attend laboratory meetings, maintain an online journal, and write about their research experience.
BMB 402 – Principles of Experimental BMB: An inquiry-based laboratory course designed to make students research-ready through practical biochemistry and molecular biology training.
BMB 506 – Biomedical Case Studies: Students work individually and in small groups to acquire, critically evaluate, synthesize, and present information while solving biomedical problems.
BMB 514 – Genetics and Genomics: Students formulate genetic hypotheses, develop predictions, construct genetic systems for testing those predictions, and analyze genetic data to address practical problems.
BMB 545 – Research Problems in BMB: Students work in a faculty mentor's research laboratory on an independent project, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, maintaining a research journal, writing a paper, and presenting their research.
BMB 511 – Topics in BMB: Students explore primary BMB research literature with a faculty mentor and may produce a paper, computer software, structural model, or dynamic simulation.
BMB 518 – Nanomedicine: Students encounter emerging applications of biochemistry and molecular biology, including the role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and advanced delivery systems.
Research seminars: BMB 501 exposes students to current research through seminars presented by faculty, visiting researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.
Departmental research environment: The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is part of the Miller School of Medicine's biomedical research environment, with research spanning areas such as RNA biology, DNA stability and repair, biomolecular biophysics, cellular signaling, translational medicine, and bionanotechnology.
Career-related experience: The Toppel Career Center provides internships, employer events, career fairs, on-campus recruiting, networking, coaching, and access to thousands of job and internship opportunities through Handshake.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Miami identifies the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduate program as preparation for medical school, graduate study in numerous basic medical sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, food production and processing, allied health professions, and non-health fields such as scientific publishing and patent law. The BCHN track is particularly relevant to students who want to connect biochemical science with nutrition, metabolism, genetics, and human health.

Typical career directions include biochemistry researcher, biotechnology professional, pharmaceutical professional, nutrition professional, with additional opportunities in food production, food processing, clinical chemistry, forensics, toxicology, veterinary medicine, scientific publishing, chemistry, and related fields.

Students can build their professional profile through:

Toppel Career Center: Career coaches provide career exploration, industry research, interview preparation, resume guidance, internship support, and professional networking.
Employer networking: The Job & Internship Expo typically brings together more than 100 employers and around 1,000 students and alumni, while industry-specific fairs and employer information sessions provide additional recruitment opportunities.
Handshake: UM's career-management platform provides access to thousands of jobs and internships, with employers including Fortune 500 companies posting opportunities for students and alumni.
Toppel Internship Program: Students who secure participating internships can receive a one-credit transcript notation through the Toppel Internship Program.
Research and professional preparation: The BMB curriculum includes supervised research, scientific writing, presentations, literature analysis, and experimental design, helping students prepare for research employment and advanced study.
University–industry environment: The department's faculty participate in advisory boards of private-sector companies, while the broader university maintains industry-facing career and employer engagement programs.
Employment and salary statistics: The official sources reviewed do not publish a B.S. Biochemistry/Biochemistry and Nutrition-specific employment rate or salary figure, so a program-specific statistic should not be inserted without additional official evidence.
Long-term accreditation value: The University of Miami's SACSCOC accreditation provides institutional accreditation for its bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.
Graduation and further-study opportunities: The department states that graduates can progress into professional and graduate schools or positions in teaching and industry.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into professional programs such as medical school and other health-profession pathways, or pursue graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, neurobiology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, biophysics, physiology, bioinformatics, nutrition, and environmental science. Within the University of Miami, the department offers M.S., Ph.D., Executive Ph.D., and dual M.D.-Ph.D. pathways in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, providing a clear route for students who want to move into advanced biomedical research or academic careers.