BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri St Louis

Program Overview

The BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) combines chemistry and biology with mathematics and physics, preparing students to understand life at the molecular level and apply that knowledge to biotechnology and biomedical research. It suits students interested in laboratory science, biotechnology and life-sciences careers, as well as those planning professional or graduate study, with opportunities for hands-on research under faculty guidance.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by establishing their scientific and mathematical foundation through CHEM 1111 Introductory Chemistry I, MATH 1030 College Algebra and MATH 1035 Trigonometry, alongside communication and general education courses. This stage develops the quantitative and chemical preparation needed for the more specialized biology and chemistry courses that follow.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into core life-science and chemistry study with BIOL 1831 Introductory Biology: From Molecules to Organisms, BIOL 2012 Genetics and CHEM 2612 Organic Chemistry I. Students begin connecting molecular and cellular biology with chemical principles while developing a stronger understanding of heredity and organic reactions.

Third Year: Students develop more advanced laboratory and molecular skills through BIOL 3622 Cell Biology, BIOL 4614 Biotechnology Laboratory I and BIOL 4602 Molecular Biology, alongside Organic Chemistry II, Quantitative Analysis and physics laboratories. This is where the degree becomes increasingly focused on biotechnology applications and practical scientific investigation.

Fourth Year: Students move into advanced biochemistry through CHEM 4712 Biochemistry, CHEM 4722 Advanced Biochemistry and CHEM 4733 Biochemistry Laboratory, supported by CHEM 3302 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences and a Biochemistry and Biotechnology elective. Students also complete CHEM 4797 or BIOL 4797 Biochemistry and Biotechnology Seminar, giving them a final opportunity to integrate their scientific knowledge and communication skills.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, protein biochemistry, biophysics, immunology, biotechnology laboratory techniques, nucleic acid structure and function, bioinformatics and pharmaceutical research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop discipline-specific knowledge across chemistry, biology and biochemistry; laboratory skills; critical thinking and scientific problem-solving; the ability to apply scientific principles to emerging biotechnology problems; scientific communication and literature-evaluation skills; and professional ethics.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The UMSL BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology is designed as an interdisciplinary science degree supported by the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The university states that the program prepares students either to enter biotechnology and life-sciences employment or to continue into professional or graduate-level study; no separate program-specific professional accreditation is identified on the official program pages.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UMSL states that its Biology Department ranks in the top 20% of the nation's research institutions, based on scholarly productivity and federal research grant funding. The university's program page also reports a $120,310 median annual salary and 7% employment growth by 2032 for the career outlook associated with the degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UMSL places significant emphasis on practical scientific experience: students can work on hands-on research projects with faculty, complete laboratory-based courses and undertake research for academic credit. The curriculum also includes an Undergraduate Internship in Biotechnology, while the university's Science Learning Building provides dedicated teaching laboratory space for science students.

Students can build practical experience through:

Biotechnology laboratories: BIOL 4614 Biotechnology Laboratory I and the elective BIOL 4615 Biotechnology Laboratory II provide dedicated laboratory training within the degree.
Biochemistry laboratory: CHEM 4733 Biochemistry Laboratory gives students hands-on experience alongside advanced biochemistry study.
Genetics and microbiology laboratories: Students complete BIOL 2013 Genetics Laboratory and BIOL 2483 Microbiology Laboratory, building practical skills across molecular and microbiological science.
Undergraduate research: Students can complete BIOL 4905 Research or CHEM 3905 Chemical Research under the supervision of Biochemistry and Biotechnology faculty. Research for credit normally includes literature review, laboratory experience and a final research report.
Biotechnology internship: BIOL 3699 Undergraduate Internship in Biotechnology is available as a Biochemistry and Biotechnology elective.
Science Learning Building: UMSL's $32 million Science Learning Building provides dedicated, state-of-the-art teaching laboratory spaces for science students.
Research environment: Faculty research covers areas including genetics and molecular biology, microbiology and immunology, and protein biochemistry and biophysics, allowing students to participate in research aligned with these fields.
Bioinformatics: CHEM 4774 Introduction to Bioinformatics is available as a Biochemistry and Biotechnology elective, giving students exposure to computational approaches used in modern biological research.
Scientific communication: The final Biochemistry and Biotechnology Seminar develops students' ability to communicate scientific findings, complementing the research and laboratory components of the degree.
Undergraduate Research and Scholarship: UMSL encourages students from all majors to participate in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship to develop discipline-specific intellectual or creative work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology prepares graduates for positions across biotechnology, life sciences, laboratory research, pharmaceuticals, clinical research and related scientific fields. UMSL reports that graduates work in industry laboratories, while others continue into graduate and professional programs; the university also identifies employers of program graduates including Pfizer, Novartis, Millipore, Sigma-Aldrich, Monsanto, NIH, Bayer CropScience, Biocon India and Piramal Life Science Limited.

Typical career directions include: Biological Technician, Chemical Technician, Chemist, Clinical Research Specialist.

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career Services: UMSL Career Services helps students with resumes, interviews, internship planning and job-search strategies, while working with employers in the St. Louis region and beyond.
Handshake: Students can use UMSL's Handshake platform to find internships, networking opportunities and job postings and to connect directly with employers.
Internship and employer access: UMSL hosts campus-wide internship and job fairs where students can meet employers offering internship and employment opportunities.
Industry connections: UMSL's official Biochemistry and Biotechnology career information lists employers including Pfizer, Novartis, Millipore, Monsanto, Bayer CropScience, Biocon India, Piramal Life Science Limited, Sigma-Aldrich and National Institutes of Health.
Employment outlook: The program page reports a $120,310 median annual salary and 7% employment growth by 2032 for its stated career outlook.
Research progression: The program's research environment allows students to develop laboratory, scientific-literacy, critical-thinking and data-evaluation skills that can support graduate research.
Accelerated BS/MS: UMSL offers an accelerated pathway allowing eligible students to earn both the BS and MS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology with fewer total credit hours than completing the degrees independently.

Further Academic Progression: After the BS, students can continue into UMSL's MS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology, including its Professional Science emphasis, or pursue doctoral and professional education. UMSL specifically notes that graduates progress to graduate programs and professional schools, while the accelerated BS/MS pathway provides a direct route to completing both undergraduate and master's-level study.