Biochemistry B.A.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Minnesota Duluth

Program Overview

The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Biochemistry B.A. explores life at the molecular level by combining chemistry and biology, making it a flexible choice for students interested in scientific careers, professional schools, or combining biochemistry with another field of study. With fewer required credits than the B.S., the program gives students room to pursue a second major or multiple minors while building a strong foundation for medical, dental, pharmacy, graduate, and related professional pathways.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their foundation in the chemical and biological sciences through General Chemistry I for Majors, General Chemistry II for Majors, General Biology I, and General Biology II, supported by calculus and university writing courses. Laboratory components in general chemistry introduce students to practical scientific work from the beginning of the degree.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into more specialized study through Genetics, Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry I, and Organic Chemistry II, alongside quantitative analysis and laboratory work. Courses such as Quantitative Analysis Laboratory strengthen students’ ability to apply analytical and experimental methods to chemical and biological problems.

Year 3: Students move into the central biochemistry curriculum with Biochemistry I, Biochemistry II, and Biochemistry Laboratory, while also completing general physics and developing a second field of study or elective area. This stage brings together the chemical and biological concepts developed during the earlier years and gives students substantial flexibility to connect biochemistry with another academic interest.

Year 4: The final year provides considerable curricular flexibility through second-field-of-study courses and electives while students complete Advanced Writing and remaining liberal education requirements. This structure allows students to shape the B.A. around professional-school prerequisites, another major, minors, or complementary interests such as law, journalism, education, public relations, or sales.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry of living organisms, genetics, cell biology, organic chemistry, quantitative analysis, laboratory science, professional health sciences, interdisciplinary study

Learning Outcomes

Students develop fundamental knowledge of the chemical sciences, learn to select and effectively use laboratory tools, understand chemical and biochemical reactions, apply critical-thinking and quantitative skills, communicate technical information in written and oral forms, and safely design, perform, and critically analyze chemical and biochemical experiments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Swenson College Chemistry and Biochemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The university specifically notes that students earning a B.S. can pursue ACS certification by completing additional laboratory work through undergraduate research; the official accreditation information does not state that the Biochemistry B.A. itself receives ACS certification.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UMD reports an average starting salary of $48K+ on the Biochemistry B.A. program page. Its Biochemistry graduate-outcomes data for 2021–2022 through 2023–2024 reports an average first-year post-undergraduate salary of $48,881, with graduates going on to employers including Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic, Walgreens, Bio-Techne, Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Beckman Coulter.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry B.A. combines classroom learning with laboratory work and opportunities to participate in undergraduate research. UMD encourages B.A. students to participate in research, while the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides annual summer research fellowships, a Departmental Honors Program focused on individual research, and connections with the University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).

Students can also gain experience through internships and interdisciplinary connections with health and research organizations. The department is affiliated with the University’s Pharmacy and Medical Schools, Large Lakes Observatory, Advanced Materials Center, and Natural Resources Research Institute, while listed internship opportunities include UMD’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Essentia Health, and Mayo Clinic.

Students can build practical experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Biochemistry Laboratory: CHEM 4363 provides dedicated laboratory experience alongside Biochemistry I and Biochemistry II.
General Chemistry Laboratories: CHEM 1174 and CHEM 1176 introduce experimental laboratory work during the first year.
Organic Chemistry Laboratories: CHEM 2543 and CHEM 2544 provide laboratory experience connected to Organic Chemistry I and II.
Quantitative Analysis Laboratory: CHEM 2223 develops practical analytical chemistry experience.
Undergraduate research: Students are encouraged to participate in research, with annual fellowships supporting full-time summer research.
Departmental Honors Program: The program prioritizes individual research experiences for participating students.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program: UROP provides student research fellowship opportunities.
Research affiliations: Students can benefit from departmental connections with the Pharmacy and Medical Schools, Large Lakes Observatory, Advanced Materials Center, and Natural Resources Research Institute.
Internships: Officially listed internship locations include Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic, and UMD’s Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
Networking and teamwork: The department emphasizes networking, teamwork, community engagement, and involvement in university and professional organizations.
Student organizations: Students can participate in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Club and pre-professional organizations including Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Physician Assistant, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine clubs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.A. can support both direct employment and further professional or graduate education, with UMD specifically identifying careers ranging from laboratory and analytical science to health professions. Recent UMD graduate data also shows graduates moving into organizations such as Mayo Clinic, Essentia Health, Bio-Techne, Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Beckman Coulter, as well as continuing into pharmacy, medical, biomedical sciences, chemistry, nursing, and patent-law education.

Typical Job Roles: Chemist, Laboratory Technician, Analytical Chemist, Forensic Scientist

Students can build their progression through the following university-supported opportunities:

Career services: UMD Career Center provides career exploration and planning resources including Handshake, career events, career conversations, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, career fairs, and graduate/professional-school guidance.
Employment and salary: UMD's Biochemistry graduate-outcomes data for 2021–2022 through 2023–2024 reports an average first-year post-undergraduate salary of $48,881. The three-year dataset had 130 responses from 157 graduates, with salary information from 49 of 73 employed graduates.
Employer connections: Recent Biochemistry graduates have worked with Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic, Walgreens, Bio-Techne, Boston Scientific, Abbott, and Beckman Coulter.
Internship opportunities: UMD identifies Essentia Health, Mayo Clinic, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program among internship or experiential destinations for Biochemistry students.
Professional-school preparation: The B.A. provides curricular flexibility for professional-school prerequisites and is specifically positioned by UMD as preparation for medical, dental, and pharmacy school.
Research progression: Undergraduate research, summer fellowships, the Honors Program, and UROP can help students build research experience and prepare for graduate-level education.
Accreditation value: The Chemistry and Biochemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society, although UMD's accreditation page specifically describes additional laboratory requirements for ACS certification of B.S. degrees rather than the B.A.
Graduate outcomes: UMD's Biochemistry graduates have continued into Pharmacy School, Chemistry, Patent Law, Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, and Nursing.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Biochemistry B.A., students can pursue graduate study in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, and related life-science disciplines, or continue into professional programs including medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. UMD's graduate-outcomes data also documents progression into Pharmacy School, Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Nursing, and Patent Law.