Biochemistry BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Missouri combines biology, chemistry and genetics to help students understand living systems and apply that knowledge to challenges such as human disease, food production and environmental protection. It is a strong choice for students interested in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, government or scientific research, with the curriculum building from foundational chemistry and biology into advanced biochemistry, genetics, physical chemistry and laboratory research.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin with the core scientific foundations needed for biochemistry, building their chemistry knowledge through courses such as CHEM 1310 College Chemistry I and CHEM 1410 College Chemistry II and CHEM 1411 College Chemistry II Laboratory. They also develop quantitative and computational skills through mathematics and INFOTC 1040 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming or INFOTC 4401 Python 1: Learn to Program in Python, giving them an early foundation for data-driven scientific work.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized chemical and biological concepts through CHEM 2100 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2110 Organic Chemistry II and CHEM 2130 Organic Laboratory I, alongside BIO_SC 2200 General Genetics or an approved genetics alternative. This stage strengthens students’ understanding of molecular structure, chemical reactions and genetic principles while continuing the mathematics, statistics and physics required for the degree.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes strongly focused on biochemistry, with courses such as BIOCHM 2480 Introduction to Macromolecular Structure and Function, BIOCHM 2482 Integrative Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry and the two-semester BIOCHM 4270/BIOCHM 4272 Biochemistry sequence. Students also begin connecting biochemical theory with physical principles through BIOCHM 4300 Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems, developing a deeper understanding of molecular processes.

Year 4: The final stage emphasizes advanced application, laboratory work and independent scientific thinking through BIOCHM 4974W Biochemistry Laboratory – Writing Intensive and BIOCHM 4972 Post-Normal Biochemistry. Students can further tailor their studies through options such as BIOCHM 4970 Senior Problem Based Learning in Biochemistry, BIOCHM 4978 Cancer Biology, BIOCHM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry or BIOCHM 4996H Honors Thesis Research in Biochemistry.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, chemistry, macromolecular structure and function, cellular biochemistry, physical chemistry of biological systems, biotechnology, biomedical science, agricultural science

Learning outcomes

Students develop an integrated understanding of chemical and biological processes, laboratory and analytical skills, quantitative reasoning, scientific problem-solving, research experience and the ability to apply biochemical knowledge to medical, biological, agricultural and environmental challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The official University of Missouri sources reviewed do not state that the B.S. in Biochemistry is separately accredited or certified by the American Chemical Society. The university does identify an ACS certification track for its separate B.S. in Chemistry, so that certification should not be presented as an accreditation of the Biochemistry degree.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The official program sources do not provide a current QS or Guardian program-specific employability ranking or a program-specific graduate employment rate. The university states that Biochemistry graduates have progressed into medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biochemistry research and related fields, and identifies employers such as Pfizer, Bayer, Merck, SC Johnson and Abbott Laboratories among internship and employment destinations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Mizzou’s B.S. in Biochemistry gain practical experience through laboratory-intensive coursework, independent research and industry-based learning. The program encourages students to participate in individually planned research programs, while the Biochemistry division provides modern laboratories across Schweitzer Hall, Schlundt Annex, Stephens Hall and the Bond Life Sciences Center, with access to advanced research infrastructure including an 800 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and specialized biochemical research facilities.

Students can turn their classroom knowledge into practical scientific experience through:

Biochemistry laboratories: BIOCHM 1094 Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory and BIOCHM 4974W Biochemistry Laboratory – Writing Intensive provide structured laboratory experience alongside the theoretical curriculum.
Advanced undergraduate research: BIOCHM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Biochemistry allows students to undertake an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member.
Research-for-experience course: BIOCHM 4955 Experiential Learning in Research in Biochemistry gives students supervised experience contributing to faculty research and is recorded on the transcript without tuition or fees.
Industry internship: BIOCHM 4964 Industrial Internship with Eurofins combines university and field-based learning with employment at Eurofins laboratories in Columbia, Missouri. Students receive technical instruction in laboratory skills and instrumentation at Mizzou, followed by training in software and instrumentation at Eurofins.
Industry experiential learning: BIOCHM 4945 Experiential Learning in Industry Internship in Biochemistry provides discipline-based industry internship experience involving observation, application and reflection.
Problem-based learning: BIOCHM 4970 Senior Problem Based Learning in Biochemistry gives students an advanced opportunity to apply biochemical knowledge to discipline-specific problems.
Computational skills: Students can choose INFOTC 4401 Python 1: Learn to Program in Python, providing programming experience relevant to modern scientific and data-oriented work.
NMR research facility: Schweitzer Hall houses a purpose-built facility for an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer, described by Mizzou as the only instrument of its power in Missouri.
Interdisciplinary research: Faculty research laboratories are also located in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, a campus-wide interdisciplinary center containing six research clusters.
Precision health facilities: The Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building brings together the University of Missouri System’s four public research universities, University of Missouri Health Care, MU Extension and private partners to pursue precision-health solutions.
Research specializations: Faculty research covers areas including plant biochemistry, enzyme mechanisms, human disease, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, proteomics, systems biochemistry and structural biochemistry, giving students a broad range of research directions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares graduates for careers and further study across medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, government and the biological, chemical and medical sciences. Mizzou specifically highlights pathways into medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and biochemistry research, while its internship and research opportunities allow students to build experience relevant to scientific and biotechnology careers.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Forensic Scientist, Genetic Counselor and Research Scientist.

Students can strengthen their professional pathway through:

Internship and employment opportunities: Mizzou's Biochemistry program identifies Pfizer, Bayer, Merck, SC Johnson and Abbott Laboratories among internship and employment destinations.
Industry experience: The Eurofins internship provides students with practical experience in laboratory skills, instrumentation and relevant software, followed by the opportunity to work in the Eurofins laboratory environment.
Research preparation: Students can complete advanced undergraduate research with faculty supervision or participate in supervised faculty research through BIOCHM 4950 and BIOCHM 4955.
Career development: The university's Biochemistry program provides students with academic advising and identifies career and internship pathways across medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and government.
Health-profession preparation: The premedical track is a collaborative program between CAFNR and the School of Medicine, and the degree includes the science coursework needed for applications to medical school and related professional fields.
Research and industry connections: Biochemistry research is conducted across the Life Sciences Corridor, including the Bond Life Sciences Center and the Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building, where university and private-sector partners work on precision-health solutions.
Employment statistics and salary: The official University of Missouri program sources reviewed do not provide a current program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure for the B.S. in Biochemistry, so no unsupported figure has been included.
Accreditation value: The official sources do not identify a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification for this B.S. in Biochemistry. Students should therefore not treat the ACS certification available for Mizzou's separate Chemistry B.S. as applying to this degree.
Graduate outcomes: Mizzou reports that Biochemistry graduates have gone on to careers and further education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biochemistry research and related areas.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue graduate or professional education in biochemistry and related biological, chemical and medical sciences. The program specifically prepares students for professional-school pathways such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine, while the research foundation can support progression into graduate-level scientific study.