Bachelor's in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Carolina Greensboro

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at UNC Greensboro combines chemistry and biology with substantial laboratory and research preparation, making it a strong choice for students interested in biochemical sciences, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or chemical industries. The program develops this foundation through subjects ranging from general and organic chemistry to genetics, cell biology and advanced biochemistry, while giving students opportunities to participate in undergraduate research with faculty across several scientific disciplines.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through CHE 111 General Chemistry I, CHE 112 General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHE 114 General Chemistry II and CHE 115 General Chemistry II Laboratory, alongside BIO 111 Principles of Biology I and BIO 112 Principles of Biology II. Mathematics also begins with MAT 196 Calculus A, giving students the quantitative preparation needed for later chemistry, biology and biochemistry courses.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized chemical study through CHE 331 Quantitative Analysis, CHE 333 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory, CHE 351 Organic Chemistry I and CHE 352 Organic Chemistry II. The biology component develops further through courses such as BIO 392 Genetics or BIO 355 Cell Biology, supported by BIO 375 Cell Biology and Genetics Laboratory, while students continue their mathematics and physics requirements.

Third Year: The curriculum progresses into advanced chemistry and biochemical science with CHE 342 Inorganic Chemistry I, CHE 406 Introductory Physical Chemistry, CHE 407 Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory, and the core CHE 456 Biochemistry I course. Students also begin connecting their scientific knowledge with professional communication through CHE 401 Chemistry Seminar Introduction and related advanced study.

Fourth Year: Students complete the central biochemistry sequence with CHE 457 Biochemistry II and CHE 458 Biochemistry Lab, together with CHE 402 Chemistry Seminar and advanced electives or independent research. Elective options include CHE 427 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, CHE 431 Instrumental Analysis, CHE 436 Computational Chemistry, CHE 468 Introduction to Chemical Biology, and CHE 491/CHE 492 Senior Research, allowing students to tailor their final year toward research, medicinal chemistry, analytical science or related interests.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, organic chemistry, quantitative analysis, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, biological sciences, laboratory science, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, computational chemistry and scientific research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong foundation in chemistry and biology, laboratory and quantitative skills, scientific problem-solving, biochemical literature evaluation, scientific communication and research practice. The curriculum also prepares students to satisfy all or most academic requirements for admission to medical, dental, veterinary and pharmacy schools.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and follows the biochemistry curriculum recommendations of the American Society of Biochemists and Molecular Biologists. UNCG also states that the program is designed to prepare students for graduate education and professional pathways in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, as well as employment in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Reputation (Employability)

UNCG identifies its Biochemistry B.S. as one of only three biochemistry B.S. programs in North Carolina and highlights research funded by organizations including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, North Carolina Biotechnology Center and ACS Petroleum Research Fund. University-wide 2025 first-destination data show that 72.1% of graduates with an employment outcome reported that their job was related to their major or degree; this is a university-wide statistic, not a Biochemistry-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UNCG places undergraduate research at the center of the Biochemistry experience, with students able to work alongside faculty from Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, Physics and Kinesiology. The department provides a substantial research environment in the Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building, including 29 research and teaching laboratories, specialized NMR and mass-spectrometry facilities, and a molecular graphics laboratory with dedicated computational chemistry software.

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

Undergraduate research: Students can collaborate with faculty on laboratory and field research, with research opportunities particularly encouraged during the junior and senior years.
Research internships: The program specifically lists research internships as an opportunity for Biochemistry students.
Chemistry/biochemistry internship course: Students can receive structured academic experience through a dedicated chemistry/biochemistry internship course.
Laboratory and research assistant positions: Students can work as laboratory assistants or research assistants while completing the degree.
Biochemistry Laboratory: CHE 458 Biochemistry Lab provides dedicated practical experience within the core biochemistry sequence.
Senior research: CHE 491 Senior Research and CHE 492 Senior Research are available among the advanced biochemistry/research electives.
Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building: The 170,000-square-foot facility houses 29 research and teaching laboratories, including 18 research laboratories and four core laboratory facilities.
NMR facilities: Students working in research have access to JEOL ECA 500 MHz and JEOL ECS 400 MHz NMR spectrometers housed in the Sullivan Science Building.
Triad Mass Spectrometry Facility: The facility supports metabolomics, unknown compound identification and quantitative small-molecule analysis; trained researchers can run their own samples on the instrumentation.
Molecular Graphics Lab: The Center for Drug Discovery Molecular Graphics Facility has 20 workstations running Tripos Sybyl, Schrödinger Macromodel, Jaguar, QSite, Prime and Glide, and Spartan 04, providing computational resources for molecular and drug-discovery research.
Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative (MC²): Students can participate in interdisciplinary research focused on developing therapeutics for cancer and infectious diseases, working with undergraduate and graduate researchers and scientists from the wider Triad region.
Research across disciplines: Biochemistry students may collaborate with faculty from Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, Physics and Kinesiology, giving the degree an interdisciplinary research dimension.
Research funding environment: Faculty research is supported by major organizations including NIH, NSF, the NC Biotechnology Center and the ACS Petroleum Research Fund, providing students with opportunities to work within active research programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry B.S. prepares graduates for employment across biochemical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, while also providing a foundation for medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy and graduate education. UNCG's official program page lists recent graduates working as a Certifying Scientist, Laboratory Manager, Staff Scientist in analytical sciences/metabolomics, Analytical/R&D Lab Manager, Analytical Scientist and Lab Technician, including positions with organizations such as Pfizer and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Biotechnology Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Laboratory Research Technician

Key progression and employment resources include:

Career & Professional Development: UNCG's Career & Professional Development resources support students and graduates with career preparation and employment planning.
Employment outcomes: UNCG's 2025 First Destination Data recorded 3,293 destinations known from 4,513 graduates, a 73% knowledge rate. Among students with employment outcomes, 72.1% reported that their job was related to their major or degree; these figures cover the university's graduating population rather than Biochemistry alone.
Research-to-career preparation: Undergraduate research, research assistant positions, internships and senior research can help students build laboratory and scientific research experience before graduation.
Industry connections: UNCG's Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative (MC²) facilitates relationships with local pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies while pursuing drug-discovery research in cancer and infectious disease.
Research employers: Recent Biochemistry graduates have obtained positions including Lab Technician at Pfizer, Laboratory Manager at UNC-Chapel Hill's Mass Spectrometry Facility, and Staff Scientist in Analytical Sciences/Metabolomics at the David H. Murdock Research Institute.
Professional preparation: The ACS-accredited curriculum provides professional chemistry training, while the program's alignment with ASBMB recommendations strengthens its relevance to biochemical science education and research.
Graduate and professional pathways: The program is specifically structured to prepare students for graduate education in biochemical sciences and for medical, dental, veterinary and pharmaceutical professions.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S. in Biochemistry, students can continue into UNCG's M.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration, which combines advanced biochemistry coursework with original research and a master's thesis. Students interested in doctoral research can also progress toward UNCG's Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, while students pursuing healthcare careers can use the undergraduate preparation toward medical, dental, veterinary or pharmacy professional programs.