Biochemistry BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of San Diego

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of San Diego combines chemistry and biology to explore the molecular nature of living systems, including how biological molecules are structured, how cells process information and energy, and how biochemical systems function. It is designed for students interested in biochemistry, biotechnology, research, medicine and other health professions, with advanced coursework and a required undergraduate research experience providing a strong foundation for professional and graduate study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through CHEM 151/151L General Chemistry I, MATH 150 Calculus I, and BIOL 240/240L Bioenergetics and Systems, followed by CHEM 152/152L General Chemistry II, MATH 151 Calculus II, and BIOL 242/242L Genomes and Evolution. This combination introduces students to chemical principles, quantitative analysis and the biological systems that underpin later biochemistry study.

Second Year: Students progress into more specialized chemistry and biological science through CHEM 301/301L Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 220 Analytical Chemistry, and CHEM 396 Methods of Chemical Research, followed by CHEM 302/302L Organic Chemistry II, PHYS 270/270L Introduction to Mechanics, and BIOL 300 Genetics. This stage builds stronger laboratory, analytical and molecular skills while introducing students to research methods.

Third Year: The programme becomes more distinctly biochemistry-focused with CHEM 330 Techniques in Molecular Biology, CHEM 331 Biochemistry, and CHEM 271/271L Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism in the first semester, followed by CHEM 312 Physical Chemistry II and CHEM 332 Biochemistry II. Students explore molecular biology techniques, biomolecular structure and function, enzyme mechanisms, metabolism and the regulation of biochemical processes.

Fourth Year: Students consolidate their specialist knowledge through CHEM 311 Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 435 Biochemistry Laboratory, and upper-division chemistry, biology or physics electives. The final stage combines advanced biochemical laboratory work with independent research experience, helping students prepare for employment, graduate research or professional health programmes.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, genetics, biomolecular structure and function, metabolism, molecular biology techniques, biochemical research and laboratory science.

Learning outcomes

Students develop knowledge of biochemical and molecular concepts, proficiency in modern laboratory and computational methods, the ability to integrate chemical concepts with laboratory and real-world problems, scientific research and data-analysis skills, and effective written and oral scientific communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The University of San Diego states that its Biochemistry program is recognized by both the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Students can earn ASBMB certification or certification with distinction by completing the national ASBMB certification exam; students seeking an additional ACS certification must complete specified additional coursework, including CHEM 440, an upper-division chemistry course and a research report.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of San Diego's Chemistry and Biochemistry department reports that among its 2022–25 respondents, 100% received their first full-time job offer within three months of graduating; 61.5% of respondents were furthering their education and 30.8% were employed at the time of the university's reported outcomes. These figures are department-level outcomes rather than a ranking specific to the Biochemistry B.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a major part of the Biochemistry B.S. at the University of San Diego, with students required to complete 100 hours of undergraduate research under faculty guidance. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides hands-on work with sophisticated instrumentation and computer equipment, while students can earn academic credit for research during the semester or participate in paid summer research opportunities that may include a stipend, on-campus housing and a supplies budget.

Students can build practical experience through these program-specific opportunities:

CHEM 396 — Methods of Chemical Research: Students develop research skills as part of the required biochemistry curriculum and prepare for independent scientific investigation.
CHEM 496 — Undergraduate Research: Students undertake collaborative student-faculty research in a faculty member's chemistry or biochemistry research laboratory.
CHEM 498 — Research Internship: Students gain practical and experimental experience through research projects conducted with external agencies and institutions, including chemical/biochemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Molecular Biology Techniques: CHEM 330 introduces recombinant-DNA techniques including bacterial culture, transformation, nucleic-acid purification, restriction analysis, DNA cloning and PCR, together with computer-based sequence analysis using database accession, BLAST, alignments, restriction analysis, gene-finding and genomics. Students also undertake a cloning project.
Research conferences and publications: Student researchers have presented at conferences including the American Chemical Society, Protein Society and International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry, and have published in journals including Biochemistry, Environmental Science and Technology, Inorganic Chemistry and the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Donald P. Shiley Center for Science and Technology: The Chemistry and Biochemistry department occupies 27,000 square feet of this science facility, supporting laboratory teaching and undergraduate research.
Faculty-led research: All Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty engage interested students in research programmes, allowing students to work closely with faculty on active research projects.
New STEM facilities: USD broke ground in 2026 on a 70,000-square-foot Shiley STEM Initiative building, planned to include collaborative spaces, nine teaching labs, an immersive visualization center, project team rooms and other STEM learning facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for careers in biochemistry and related scientific fields while also providing a strong foundation for medical school, graduate programmes and other health professions. USD's reported 2022–25 outcomes show that 61.5% of respondents were furthering their education, while the department reports that 100% of respondents received their first full-time job offer within three months of graduating.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Biotechnology Researcher, Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Pharmaceutical Researcher:

Career Development Center: Students can access internship and career opportunities through USD's Career Development Center, while the department also provides career counseling and faculty guidance.
Pre-Health Advising: USD's Pre-Health Advising Office helps students understand professional-school applications and design a course plan for their intended health-care career.
Graduate outcomes: Among the department's 2022–25 respondents, 30.8% were employed and 61.5% were furthering their education; the department reports 100% receiving their first full-time job offer within three months.
Industry connections: USD's official alumni information identifies graduates and connections involving organizations such as Illumina, Scripps Mercy Hospital, American Red Cross, Genentech, BASF and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
Research-to-career preparation: The required research experience can lead to presentations at scientific conferences, publication opportunities and practical experience relevant to graduate research and scientific employment.
Professional certification: ASBMB certification provides a formal professional recognition available to Biochemistry majors, while additional coursework can enable a second ACS certification.
Salary information: USD's official Chemistry and Biochemistry career page reports employment and further-education outcomes but does not publish a programme-specific salary figure, so no salary figure is included here rather than estimating one.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into graduate programmes in biochemistry, chemistry, biology and related biomedical sciences, while the degree also provides preparation for medical and other health-professional schools. The university specifically describes the Biochemistry B.S. as preparation for entry into graduate programmes and medical and other health professions.