Bachelor's in Chemistry - Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Carolina Greensboro

Program Overview

The B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration at UNC Greensboro combines a strong chemistry foundation with specialized study of the chemical processes underlying biological systems, making it well suited to students interested in biochemical science, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or graduate study. Students build their expertise through chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, laboratory work, and advanced biochemistry, with opportunities for research and internships that connect classroom learning with professional scientific practice.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as CHE 111 – General Chemistry I, CHE 112 – General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHE 114 – General Chemistry II, and CHE 115 – General Chemistry II Laboratory, alongside introductory biology and mathematics. The suggested study plan also includes BIO 111/111L – Principles of Biology I and Laboratory and BIO 112/112L – Principles of Biology II and Laboratory, giving students an early grounding in both chemical and biological concepts.

Sophomore Year: The curriculum moves into more specialized chemistry through CHE 342 – Inorganic Chemistry I, CHE 351 – Organic Chemistry I, CHE 353 – Organic Laboratory Techniques, CHE 352 – Organic Chemistry II, and CHE 355 – Intermediate Organic Chemistry Lab. Students also continue their quantitative and physical-science preparation through MAT 196 – Calculus A, MAT 296 – Calculus B, and PHY 291 – General Physics I with Calculus.

Junior Year: Students develop stronger analytical and instrumental skills through CHE 331 – Quantitative Analysis, CHE 333 – Quantitative Analysis Laboratory, CHE 431 – Instrumental Analysis, and CHE 433 – Instrumental Analysis Lab. The study plan also introduces BIO 392 – Genetics and PHY 292 – General Physics II, helping students connect chemical analysis with biological systems and broader scientific principles.

Senior Year: The final year brings the chemistry and biology strands together through advanced courses including CHE 456 – Biochemistry I, CHE 457 – Biochemistry II, CHE 458 – Biochemistry Laboratory, CHE 461 – Physical Chemistry I, CHE 463 – Physical Chemistry I Laboratory, and CHE 462 – Physical Chemistry II. Students also complete CHE 401 – Chemistry Seminar Introduction and CHE 402 – Chemistry Seminar, while advanced options can include CHE 427 – Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, CHE 436 – Computational Chemistry, or CHE 491/492 – Senior Research.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, biological sciences, laboratory science, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, scientific research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop a strong understanding of chemical and biochemical principles, quantitative and analytical skills, laboratory techniques, scientific problem-solving, research skills, and the ability to communicate scientific concepts through laboratory work, seminars, and advanced coursework.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Chemistry program at UNC Greensboro is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Students who fulfill the program’s requirements are certified by the ACS upon graduation as having met its requirements for undergraduate professional training in chemistry.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UNC Greensboro does not publish a program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this concentration. Its official 2025 First Destination data reports 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 figure rather than a chemistry-specific employment rate.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.S. in Chemistry — Biochemistry concentration can move beyond classroom theory through undergraduate research, laboratory work, internships, and direct exposure to advanced scientific instrumentation. The Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building houses 29 research and teaching laboratories, including dedicated research and core laboratory facilities, while the department provides access to sophisticated analytical, biochemical, computational, and spectroscopy equipment. Students can also participate in the Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative (MC²), where research at UNCG and across the NC Triad focuses on areas such as cancer and infectious diseases.

Students can build professional experience through departmental research opportunities and CHE 490 – Internship in Chemistry and Biochemistry, with the department maintaining arrangements with local firms for internships that may be paid or taken for academic credit.

Key hands-on opportunities and resources include:

Undergraduate research: Students can work with faculty on research projects and can pursue senior research through CHE 491 – Senior Research and CHE 492 – Senior Research.
Industrial internships: The department has arrangements with local firms, with internships available as paid positions or for credit through CHE 490 – Internship in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
NMR spectroscopy: Students have access to departmental NMR facilities, including an active JEOL ECS 400 MHz NMR spectrometer that is available for undergraduate teaching and research.
Mass spectrometry: The Triad Mass Spectrometry Facility supports metabolomics, unknown-compound identification, and quantitative small-molecule analysis and includes LC-MS and GC-MS instrumentation.
Molecular graphics and computational tools: The Center for Drug Discovery Molecular Graphics Facility includes workstations running Tripos Sybyl, Schrödinger tools such as Macromodel, Jaguar, QSite, Prime and Glide, and Spartan 04.
Biochemical and molecular instrumentation: Departmental facilities include equipment such as HPLC systems, PCR instruments, UV-Vis spectrometers, capillary electrophoresis, centrifugation equipment, and stopped-flow spectroscopy equipment.
Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative (MC²): Students can potentially contribute to research focused on drug discovery and treatments for cancer and infectious diseases through this collaborative research environment.
Laboratory and teaching infrastructure: The Sullivan Science Building provides 29 research and teaching laboratories, including 18 research laboratories and four core laboratory facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration prepares graduates for scientific employment as well as further education in biochemistry, medicine, and related professions. UNC Greensboro specifically identifies opportunities across biochemical sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, medicine, and laboratory-based careers, with alumni working in organizations including Ameritox, Pfizer, Nutramax Labs, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the David H. Murdock Research Institute.

Typical career directions include: Analytical Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Research Scientist, Biochemistry Laboratory Manager.

Students can strengthen their transition into employment or advanced study through:

Career development: UNCG's Office of Career & Professional Development provides resume development, career coaching, interview training, networking support, and assistance finding internships and employment opportunities through Handshake.
Internship experience: Chemistry and Biochemistry students can undertake departmental internships through CHE 490 – Internship in Chemistry and Biochemistry, including opportunities with local firms.
Research experience: Students can work with faculty on undergraduate research and may pursue CHE 491/492 – Senior Research, providing preparation for research-focused employment or graduate study.
University–industry connections: The Medicinal Chemistry Collaborative (MC²) is designed to facilitate university-industry relationships with local pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies while advancing natural-products and drug-discovery research.
Graduate and professional pathways: The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in biochemistry and related fields, as well as medicine and other health professions. UNCG chemistry alumni have continued to institutions including Harvard, Caltech, and NC State, while others have pursued medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry.
Employment outcomes: UNCG's university-wide 2025 First Destination data found that 72.1% of graduates with an employment outcome reported that their job was related to their major or degree. This statistic covers UNCG graduates generally and should not be interpreted as a program-specific employment rate.
Salary information: UNCG's official parent and family information page reports an average undergraduate alumni starting salary of $47,000 from its 2022 survey. This is a university-wide figure rather than a salary specifically for Chemistry–Biochemistry graduates.
Professional accreditation value: The B.S. in Chemistry is aligned with American Chemical Society professional training requirements, and students who complete the required curriculum can receive ACS certification upon graduation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can progress into graduate education in chemistry, biochemistry, and related life sciences, or pursue professional education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and related health fields. UNCG also offers an Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) in which qualified B.S. Chemistry students at junior level or above can take up to 12 graduate-level credits from the M.S. in Chemistry or M.S. in Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration for dual credit, potentially shortening the time and cost required to complete the master's degree.