BS in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry (BBC)

The BBC Track gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond classroom theory and work directly with biological research. Students can earn academic credit through hypothesis-driven independent research in biological science laboratories on the River Campus or at the University of Rochester Medical Center, while the program also provides specialized laboratory courses such as BCH 308: Biochemistry Lab and Critical Analysis.

Students can also participate in the University's iGEM team, where undergraduates design and build engineered biological systems using DNA technologies, mathematical modelling, genetic engineering, and experimental approaches to address real-world problems. Summer research fellowships provide additional opportunities to work for ten weeks with faculty mentors, conduct laboratory, field, or computational research, and present research findings through a poster.

Key experiential opportunities include:

• BCH 308: Biochemistry Lab and Critical Analysis — hands-on biochemical laboratory training.

• BCH/BIOL/CHEM 395 Independent Research — hypothesis-driven research projects conducted with University of Rochester faculty mentors.

• BIOL 228A&B iGEM — student-managed synthetic biology projects using DNA technologies, genetic-part construction, mathematical modelling, biological characterization, and hardware development.

• Summer Research Fellowships — ten-week research placements with faculty mentors; 2026 Recny and de Kiewiet fellows receive a $6,000 stipend.

• Beckman Scholars Program — a 15-month mentored research experience for selected chemistry and biological sciences students, with $21,000 in research support.

• Computational biology and genomics — students can select courses such as BIOL 253L: Computational Biology, BIOL 257L: Applied Genomics, and BIOL 219L: Genomics of Quantitative Traits.

• Formal teaching laboratories — include Biochemistry Laboratory, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Microbiology Laboratory, and computer-based genomics laboratories.

• University of Rochester Medical Center — the UPBM connects undergraduate biology students with research opportunities at the Medical Center as well as on the River Campus.

Facilities and research opportunities: The University provides access to biological science laboratories on the River Campus and at the Medical Center, together with undergraduate research, computational, laboratory, and interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The BBC Track provides a strong foundation for students planning careers or further study in biological research, biotechnology, biomedical science, chemistry-related fields, and health professions. The combination of advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, laboratory experience, and independent research can also prepare students for graduate and professional programs.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biochemistry Research Scientist, Molecular Biology Researcher, Biotechnology Researcher, and Biomedical Researcher.

Students can strengthen their transition from university into professional or academic pathways through:

• Career support: The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections provides career-outcome information and resources, while the Biology Department directs students toward career planning, internship resources, graduate-school resources, and professional advising.

• Employment and salary outcomes: University-wide School of Arts & Sciences data reports a 96% positive career outcome and an average first-destination graduate salary of $65,827. These figures are School of Arts & Sciences outcomes rather than BBC-specific salary statistics.

• Experiential preparation: The University reports that 96% of students participated in at least one experiential learning opportunity, including research, internships, and study abroad.

• Industry connections: UR Ventures facilitates collaborations between University researchers and industry through sponsored research, co-development partnerships, licensing, and startup/spinout activity, creating pathways for university research to reach real-world applications.

• Research-to-industry exposure: University research opportunities can involve work with industry partners, while UR Ventures supports the commercialization of life-science technologies and connects researchers with industry partners.

• Research distinction: Students completing high-quality research can pursue Honors in Research, which involves developing a substantial research project and defending a senior thesis.

• Professional preparation: The program's combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer programming, and research provides a multidisciplinary foundation useful for scientific and health-related postgraduate pathways.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs in areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, biological sciences, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, genetics, and related life-science disciplines. Students interested in medicine and other health professions can also use the University's health-professions advising resources to plan prerequisite coursework and postgraduate applications.