BA/BS Biochemistry Degree with Teacher Certification

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Texas

Program Overview

The University of North Texas Biochemistry Degree with Teacher Certification combines a strong foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology with preparation to teach biochemistry, chemistry and biology at the high-school level. The 120-credit-hour program is particularly suited to students who want the flexibility to pursue teaching while also keeping pathways open to medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health and other biologically related fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through subjects such as Organic Chemistry, which introduces chemical bonding, stereochemistry, functional groups and reaction mechanisms, alongside foundational biology and chemistry study. The teacher-preparation component can also begin early, with UNT's Teach North Texas pathway introducing students to how mathematics, science and computer science are learned and taught.

Year 2: The curriculum moves further into biological and molecular sciences through subjects such as Microbiology, covering microorganisms, classification, ecology, morphology and physiology, while students continue developing their understanding of biochemistry and related sciences. Teacher preparation becomes more applied through coursework focused on learning, instructional strategies and the use of technology in science education.

Year 3: Students can deepen their molecular understanding through Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Gene, exploring genetic expression, chromosome replication, DNA repair, mutagenesis and gene cloning. At this stage, students can also gain research experience through UNT laboratories and research centers, including opportunities connected with plant biochemistry and other biological research areas.

Year 4: The final stage combines advanced scientific learning with intensive classroom preparation. Classroom Interactions includes approximately 10 hours of school fieldwork, while Apprentice Teaching in a Secondary School provides seven hours of supervised teaching experience and preparation for the state certification examination.

Focus Areas

Cell biology, chemical reactions, compounds and solutions, macromolecules, metabolic pathways, molecular biology of genes, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, quantitative chemical analysis, microbiology, science education and secondary-school teaching.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop oral and written communication, scientific-method application, modern analytical-instrumentation skills, data organization and interpretation, in-depth biochemistry knowledge, scientific presentation skills, and teaching and learning strategies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The teacher-certification component is delivered through UNT's Teach North Texas program, which prepares students for secondary science teaching and the relevant certification examinations. UNT is an approved State of Texas Educator Preparation Program; teacher certification itself is granted by the Texas Education Agency rather than UNT.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UNT states that its Career Center connects students with learning opportunities and real-world work experience through more than 4,000 employers. The university also reports that it is the largest public university in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and highlights employer recruiting, internships and career-development opportunities available to students.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This program gives students practical experience across both scientific research and classroom teaching. Students can work on projects in UNT research centers and laboratories, use modern analytical instrumentation, and gain exposure to areas such as plant biochemistry, avian genomes, cyanide biodegradation, molecular motors and organismal stress responses. The teacher-certification pathway adds direct school experience through fieldwork and supervised apprentice teaching, giving students an opportunity to apply scientific knowledge in real educational settings.

Students can develop these practical skills through:

Undergraduate research: Through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Alliance, students can gain hands-on experience with complex undergraduate research.
Paid research experience: The UNT-HHMI Undergraduate Research Program offers eligible junior and senior biology and biochemistry majors a paid research experience of up to one year in the laboratory of an active UNT researcher.
Research projects: Students may receive course credit for projects in UNT research centers and laboratories, including work involving plant biochemistry, avian genomes, cyanide biodegradation, molecular motors and responses to stress.
Analytical instrumentation: The program specifically develops students' ability to operate modern analytical instrumentation and interpret scientific data.
Life Sciences Complex: This state-of-the-art biochemistry research facility includes an open research laboratory concept, a climate-controlled rooftop greenhouse for advanced plant science research and an aquatics laboratory with fresh- and saltwater facilities.
School fieldwork: The Classroom Interactions course requires approximately 10 hours of fieldwork in schools, giving teacher candidates direct exposure to educational environments.
Apprentice teaching: Apprentice Teaching in a Secondary School provides seven credit hours of supervised teaching experience and includes preparation for the state certification examination.
Teaching technology: Knowing and Learning in Mathematics, Science and Computer Science covers the use of technology in education, problem solving, assessment and how students develop expertise.
Career preparation: UNT's Careers in the Life Sciences program provides guidance on career choices, career preparation, research-lab involvement and professional skills.
Teacher network: Students can participate in Talon Teach, which provides future teachers with opportunities to network and exchange ideas.
Career and employer access: The UNT Career Center provides access to more than 4,000 employers and opportunities for learning and real-world work experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree creates a dual pathway: graduates can pursue secondary-school teaching after completing the required certification process, while the biochemistry background can also support opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental organizations, research and other science-related industries. UNT also states that the program can prepare students, with additional coursework where required, for dental, medical or veterinary school and allied-health training.

Typical career directions include:

Secondary Science Teacher
Biochemistry Researcher
Laboratory Scientist
Biotechnology Professional

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through:

UNT Career Center: Students receive support in finding learning opportunities and real-world work experience, with access to a network of more than 4,000 employers.
Career preparation: UNT's Career Center supports students with career exploration, job searching, employer connections and career coaching, with services available from the first semester through graduation and beyond.
Internships and employer connections: UNT promotes internship opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and provides employer connections through its Career Center and Career Connect resources.
University-employer partnerships: UNT's Career Center provides employers with opportunities to recruit students through job postings, campus engagement, interviews and career events, with Handshake serving as the university's recruiting platform.
Research-to-career preparation: The paid UNT-HHMI Undergraduate Research Program allows eligible junior and senior biology and biochemistry students to spend up to one year working in an active researcher's laboratory.
Teaching career support: Teach North Texas supports students pursuing science teaching certification, while the program's supervised apprentice teaching provides direct classroom experience.
Graduation pathways: Graduates can qualify to test for secondary teaching certification and may enter public or private-school teaching. The biochemistry degree can also support progression toward medical, dental, veterinary and allied-health education with additional coursework where required.
Employment and salary statistics: UNT's official program page does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for this Biochemistry with Teacher Certification degree. UNT does maintain university-level post-graduation placement tracking, covering employment in high-demand occupations and graduate/professional enrollment, but these figures are not presented on the program page as a biochemistry-specific salary or placement rate.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into medical, dental or veterinary education, allied-health professional training, or graduate-level study related to biochemistry and the life sciences. Students interested in teaching can continue developing professionally through Teach North Texas, which provides post-graduation professional support, development opportunities, networking and teaching resources.