Biochemistry, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New Mexico

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of New Mexico combines chemistry, biology, and biomedical science within the unique setting of the UNM School of Medicine, making it particularly suited to students interested in health, disease, biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, or advanced scientific study. Students build a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics before progressing into advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, biochemical methods, and research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building the scientific foundation:
Students establish the chemistry, biology, mathematics, and communication background needed for the major, with subjects such as CHEM 1215/1215L General Chemistry I, CHEM 1225/1225L General Chemistry II, and MATH 1430 Applications of Calculus I. Biology coursework such as BIOL 2101 Molecules to Cells introduces students to biological systems while they complete the university's broader education requirements.

Year 2 – Developing chemical and analytical skills:
The second stage moves into the chemistry and quantitative courses that prepare students for upper-division biochemistry. Students study CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II, and CHEM 2310C Quantitative Analysis, supported by physics and statistics coursework.

Year 3 – Entering advanced biochemistry:
Students begin the major's specialist sequence with courses such as BIOC 445 Intensive Introductory Biochemistry I, which covers proteins, enzymes, signal transduction, and nucleic acids, followed by BIOC 446 Intensive Introductory Biochemistry II, which explores intermediary metabolism and hormonal control. Students also complete BIOC 448L Biochemical Methods, gaining laboratory exposure to cell culture, nucleic-acid and protein purification, and bioinformatics.

Year 4 – Advanced study and research:
The final stage allows students to deepen their understanding through advanced electives and research-oriented study. Options include BIOC 451 Physical Biochemistry, covering mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, diffraction and computational techniques, alongside advanced subjects such as BIOC 463 Biochemistry of Disease I and mentored research through the department's undergraduate research opportunities.

Focus areas:

Biochemistry, molecular biology, protein structure and function, enzymes, intermediary metabolism, molecular genetics, biochemical methods, bioinformatics, physical biochemistry, cancer biology, metabolic disease, biomedical research, health and disease

Learning outcomes:

Students develop advanced knowledge of core biochemical concepts including evolution, matter and energy transformation, homeostasis, biological information, and macromolecular structure and function; learn to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, analyze and interpret data; communicate biochemical findings through written and oral formats; and understand the importance of objectivity and scientific integrity.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

UNM states that its Biochemistry degree meets or exceeds the curricular recommendations of both the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). The ASBMB's current list of accredited programs also includes the University of New Mexico, providing an externally recognized academic framework for the program.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The program's strongest official indicators are its research and progression outcomes rather than a program-specific QS or Guardian ranking. UNM reports that at least half of Biochemistry graduates continue into graduate or professional school, while the program's School of Medicine setting gives students direct exposure to biomedical research and health-science education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UNM gives Biochemistry students the opportunity to learn within an active School of Medicine research environment rather than limiting their experience to classroom study. The department promotes research-based and inquiry-based learning, and undergraduate students can work with faculty mentors, earn research credit, complete an honors thesis, and potentially contribute to scientific publications or conference presentations.

The program also connects students with biomedical research facilities and laboratories investigating cancer, metabolism, aging, inflammatory disease, molecular mechanisms, and other health-related questions. Practical learning can involve biochemical and molecular techniques such as cell culture, protein and nucleic-acid purification, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR, and molecular cloning:

BIOC 448L Biochemical Methods: Students receive authentic laboratory exposure to cell culture, nucleic-acid and protein purification, and bioinformatics.
BIOC 451 Physical Biochemistry: Students encounter analytical approaches including mass spectrometry, optical and vibrational spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, diffraction methods, electrophoretic and hydrodynamic methods, and computational techniques.
Undergraduate research: Students can join faculty laboratories, work on original research questions, develop experimental skills, analyze data, and receive mentoring from experienced researchers.
Research Honors: Students completing the honors pathway undertake six credit hours of honors research, produce a senior thesis, and give a 10–15 minute research presentation at BMB Research Day.
Publication and presentation opportunities: UNM notes that many undergraduate researchers have co-authored publications, while research participation can also lead to conference or meeting presentations.
Biomedical Research Facility: Department laboratories investigate areas including cancer biology, metabolism, aging, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, molecular signaling, and disease mechanisms.
Xiang Xue Laboratory: Students can encounter research using cell-line and enteroid cultures, mouse models, patient tissues, and molecular and biochemical methodologies, with undergraduate research opportunities available.
Zaidman Laboratory: Research techniques include confocal and spinning-disc microscopy, calcium and pH imaging, flow cytometry, qPCR, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and molecular cloning, with undergraduate research and honors-thesis opportunities.
Health Sciences research infrastructure: UNM Health Sciences Center provides specialized shared resources including biomedical imaging, electron microscopy, molecular analysis and bioanalytical chemistry facilities, and other research cores.
Clinical and translational research: Students interested in health research can also encounter programs such as CT-REx, an eight-week summer experience involving laboratory work, data management, participant interaction, research protocols, sample processing, and data collection.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry can lead into laboratory, biomedical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, public-sector, and research careers, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate and professional education. UNM specifically identifies pathways into biomedical research, healthcare, pharmaceutical research, public health, forensic science, technology, and advanced research in molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, and related biomedical sciences.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Medical Technologist, Laboratory Technician, with additional opportunities depending on research experience and further qualifications.

Students can build their progression through several UNM opportunities:

Career Services: UNM Career Services provides internship planning, career-development support, job fairs, resume and cover-letter resources, interview preparation, and access to internship opportunities through its career systems.
Biochemistry-specific career pathways: UNM Career Services identifies employment and internship opportunities with organizations including TriCore Reference Laboratories, Curia Global, Pathology Consultants of New Mexico, UNM Hospital, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Office of the Medical Investigator, Sandia National Laboratories, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Employment outcomes: UNM's official Biochemistry information states that at least half of program graduates continue into graduate or professional school. An older UNM report also stated that approximately 20% of program graduates enrolled in the UNM M.D. program; this figure is historical and should not be treated as a current annual outcome.
Salary figures: The current official Biochemistry program sources do not publish a current Biochemistry-specific graduate salary figure, so a program-specific salary should not be inferred from university-wide data.
Research and industry connections: The department works with UNM Signature Programs, the Mind Research Network, New Mexico INBRE, the UNM Cancer Center, the UNM Clinical and Translational Science Center, and the Center for Molecular Discovery.
Biomedical and translational ecosystem: UNM Health Sciences Center includes an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Center, providing a broader environment for biomedical discovery, clinical research, and translational science.
Professional value of accreditation: The program meets or exceeds ACS and ASBMB curricular recommendations, and UNM appears on the ASBMB's current list of accredited programs. ASBMB accreditation provides an outcomes-based external evaluation framework for undergraduate biochemistry and molecular biology programs.
Research distinction: Students pursuing departmental honors complete substantial mentored research, a senior thesis, and an oral presentation, creating a documented research experience that can strengthen applications for graduate, medical, and industry positions.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.S. and Ph.D. programs in biological, medical, and translational sciences, as well as professional programs such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. UNM's School of Medicine environment also allows students to build relevant preparation for biomedical and health-profession pathways while completing the bachelor's degree.