Biochemistry Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Toledo

Program Overview

The University of Toledo’s B.S. in Biochemistry combines biology and chemistry to explore living systems at the cellular and molecular levels, with strong applications in medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food science and forensics. It is particularly suited to students who want rigorous scientific and laboratory training while preparing for careers in professional laboratories, graduate study, or professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and veterinary science.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by developing their scientific and mathematical foundation through CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I, CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I, and calculus through either MATH 1750 Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I or MATH 1850 Single Variable Calculus I. They also build academic and communication skills through NSM 1000 Foundations of Academic Success for Science and Math Majors and ENGL 1110 College Composition I. In the second term, CHEM 1240 General Chemistry II, CHEM 1290 General Chemistry Lab II, CHEM 1910 Survey of Research, and NSM 1500 Building a Career in Science and Math introduce students to research and career planning early in the degree.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into more specialized chemistry, beginning with CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2480 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors: Separations and Elementary Synthesis, and CHEM 3310 Analytical Chemistry. Students then progress to CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II, CHEM 2490 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Majors: Synthesis and Identification, and CHEM 3360 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, while also developing their physics background.

Year 3: Students enter the core of biochemistry with CHEM 3510 Biochemistry I, CHEM 3520 Biochemistry II, and CHEM 3560 Biochemistry Laboratory, alongside BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance and BIOL 3030 Cell Biology. CHEM 3910 Undergraduate Research II and CHEM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry I further develop research capability and broader chemical knowledge.

Year 4: Advanced study focuses on the physical and analytical aspects of biochemistry through CHEM 4570 Biophysical Chemistry, CHEM 4300 Instrumental Analysis, and CHEM 4560 Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory. Students can deepen their interests through CHEM 4500 Advanced Biological Chemistry or advanced options such as CHEM 4510 Protein Chemistry, CHEM 4520 Enzymology, CHEM 4580 Bioinorganic Chemistry, and CHEM 4910 Undergraduate Research III, giving the final year a strong research and specialization focus.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, biological chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical and biophysical chemistry, molecular biology, laboratory science, scientific research, pharmaceutical science, biotechnology, forensic science

Learning Outcomes

Students develop mastery of foundational mathematics, physics and chemistry; understand biochemistry and biology including macromolecular structure, energy transduction and biological information flow; apply biochemical and molecular biology laboratory techniques and instrumentation; design experiments, analyze data and use scientific models and statistics; communicate scientific information effectively; locate and critically evaluate scientific literature and research databases; and apply chemistry and biochemistry to health, policy and other real-world issues.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry meets the minimum standards established by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training. Graduates of the programme are certified by the American Chemical Society and are eligible for full ACS membership, providing professional recognition aligned with rigorous chemistry and laboratory training.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UToledo describes its biochemistry faculty as award-winning and research-active, with undergraduate students encouraged to participate in faculty research, present at conferences and contribute to scientific publications. The university also reports that 99 undergraduates received research funding in 2022 and undergraduates completed more than 21,000 hours of research, highlighting the scale of its undergraduate research environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Toledo places strong emphasis on laboratory practice and undergraduate research, allowing students to work with faculty and use advanced scientific instrumentation. Students can begin research as early as their freshman year, pursue internships through UToledo’s regional community partnerships, and gain experience with equipment used in academic and corporate research laboratories. The programme also provides opportunities to present research at conferences and contribute to scientific publications.

Students can build these practical and professional skills through:

Advanced research instrumentation: Biochemistry students have access to high-field NMR spectrometers, high-resolution mass spectrometers, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffractometers, providing hands-on exposure to techniques used in professional research environments.
Bowman-Oddy/Wolfe Hall research complex: The department's facilities are housed in the Bowman-Oddy/Wolfe Hall complex, a 165,000-square-foot research and teaching facility containing modern research laboratories and teaching spaces.
Undergraduate research: Students can work alongside faculty on research projects spanning chemistry and biochemistry. UToledo encourages students to start research early, with opportunities to present results at conferences and contribute to scientific literature.
Undergraduate research funding: UToledo reported 99 undergraduates receiving research funding and more than 21,000 undergraduate research hours in 2022, demonstrating opportunities for students to gain substantial research experience.
Internships: Students can pursue internships through UToledo's community partnerships with companies and organizations in the region. The Rocket Career Center assists students in finding opportunities, and some internships or jobs may qualify for academic credit.
Study abroad: Science students can participate in UToledo's exchange programme with the University of Salford in England, as well as semester, summer, faculty-led and direct-exchange opportunities.
Career development: NSM 1500 Building a Career in Science and Math introduces career preparation within the curriculum, while the Rocket Career Center provides support with internships, career exploration and networking.
Professional engagement: Students can participate in the American Chemical Society student chapter, undergraduate research activities and departmental events, helping them develop professional connections alongside their scientific training.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares graduates for laboratory-based careers across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical science, healthcare, forensics, environmental agencies and research. UToledo specifically identifies career destinations such as applied research and development, biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, healthcare and medicine, forensics and science, while graduates may work as biochemists, biological scientists, forensic scientists, laboratory managers, medical scientists, research scientists and science technicians.

Typical career roles include Biochemist, Biological Scientist, Forensic Scientist, Research Scientist.

Students can strengthen their transition from university to employment through:

Career services: The Rocket Career Center helps students explore career options, identify internship opportunities, attend networking events and develop career skills. UToledo also provides a dedicated Biochemistry Major Map showing suggested activities and career-preparation steps throughout the degree.
Employment and salary information: UToledo's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry reports 2024 nationwide BLS median salary figures of $103,650 for biochemists, $100,590 for chemists/medical chemists, $104,160 for materials scientists, and $161,180 for research laboratory managers. These are nationwide occupational figures rather than UToledo graduate salary outcomes.
Industry-connected experience: UToledo states that its internship opportunities are supported by community partnerships with companies and organizations in the surrounding region, allowing students to build practical experience, professional contacts and résumés.
Research-to-career preparation: Students can work with faculty on research, present at conferences and contribute to scientific publications, while gaining experience with advanced instrumentation used in academic and corporate research settings.
Professional recognition: ACS certification provides graduates with recognition that their B.S. in Biochemistry meets the minimum standards established by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training.
Pre-health progression: Biochemistry is identified by UToledo as a major that supports preparation for medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy and physician assistant professional pathways. The university's Pre-Health Advising resources support students pursuing these routes.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or Ph.D. study in chemistry, biochemistry and related scientific fields, or pursue professional programmes such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary science, law and business. UToledo also offers a B.S. in Biochemistry + M.S. in Chemistry accelerated pathway, with qualified students able to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees in 10 semesters and take up to nine graduate credits during their final undergraduate year.