Biochemistry, BA (L&S)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Biochemistry B.A. combines chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics to explore the molecular processes that make life possible, with particular emphasis on proteins, nucleic acids, sugars, lipids, and cellular processes. The program is designed for students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, research, or further professional and graduate study, including medical and veterinary education.

Important program status: The College of Letters & Science Biochemistry B.A. no longer admits new students after Summer 2026 and is scheduled to be discontinued in Fall 2031; UW–Madison directs new students interested in Biochemistry to consider the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Biochemistry major.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their quantitative and chemical foundations through CHEM 103 General Chemistry I, CHEM 104 General Chemistry II, and MATH 221/222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry. Students interested in exploring the discipline can also take BIOCHEM 100 Biochemistry First-Year Seminar, which introduces the field, department research, career possibilities, and university resources.

Year 2: The curriculum develops biological and organic chemistry knowledge through BIOLOGY 151/152 Introductory Biology and CHEM 343 Organic Chemistry I, followed by CHEM 344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry II. This combination strengthens students' understanding of biological systems while developing practical laboratory and chemical analysis skills.

Year 3: Students move into the core of the discipline with BIOCHEM 507 General Biochemistry I and BIOCHEM 508 General Biochemistry II, studying the molecular principles underlying biological processes. Alongside biochemistry, students complete calculus-based PHYSICS 207/208 General Physics and CHEM 327 Fundamentals of Analytical Science, bringing together biochemical, physical, quantitative, and analytical perspectives.

Year 4: Students complete advanced study through BIOCHEM 551 Biochemical Methods or CHEM 665 Biophysical Chemistry, together with upper-level biology coursework. Students can also undertake BIOCHEM 691/692 or BIOCHEM 681/682 for senior thesis, directed study, or laboratory work when appropriate; a senior honors thesis is required for students pursuing Honors in the Major.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, protein science, nucleic acids, metabolism, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biophysical chemistry, genetics, cellular biology, biotechnology, biomedical science

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to identify fundamental biochemical principles, communicate biochemical knowledge through written and oral presentations, connect biochemistry with other scientific disciplines and contemporary issues, demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility in research, and design quantitative experiments or interpret scientific data.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The official L&S Biochemistry B.A. page does not identify a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification for this B.A. degree. UW–Madison instead highlights its established Biochemistry department and broad scientific preparation; therefore, an ACS accreditation claim should not be assigned to this specific B.A. without additional official confirmation.

Reputation (Employability / Official Recognition)

UW–Madison states that Biochemistry has consistently ranked among its top undergraduate and graduate programs and highlights a history dating to 1883 with contributions to areas including treatments for heart disease, nutrient deficiencies and viruses, as well as crop breeding and animal husbandry. The university also identifies career destinations across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, education, research, and graduate study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UW–Madison gives Biochemistry students opportunities to move beyond lectures into research, laboratory work, scientific conferences, and international academic experiences. Students can participate in departmental research for academic credit or pay, compete for summer research funding, and join the Biochemistry Scholars Program, which provides hands-on research experience beginning as early as the first year.

The curriculum itself also includes substantial experimental preparation, while advanced students can undertake directed study, senior thesis work, or laboratory work. International opportunities include short-term field experiences, summer research, and semester-long exchange programs at universities around the world.

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

Biochemistry laboratory methods: BIOCHEM 551 Biochemical Methods develops advanced practical and analytical skills.
Organic chemistry laboratory: CHEM 344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory provides hands-on experience with organic chemistry techniques.
Analytical science: CHEM 327 Fundamentals of Analytical Science develops analytical approaches relevant to chemical and biochemical investigation.
Biochemistry Scholars Program: Selected first-year Biochemistry majors can participate in one or more research projects for up to three years.
Undergraduate research: Students can conduct research in the Biochemistry Department or other life-science and chemistry-related departments, either for course credit or pay.
Summer research funding: The department offers summer funding awards supporting undergraduate research.
Senior research: BIOCHEM 691/692 or 681/682 can accommodate senior thesis, directed study, or laboratory work where applicable.
Honors research: Honors students complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis worth 6 credits.
Scientific conferences: Department scholarships and awards can provide travel support for Biochemistry students attending professional scientific conferences.
International experiences: Students can participate in short-term field experiences, summer research, and semester-long exchange programs.
Biochemistry Student Chapter: The ASBMB UW–Madison Student Chapter provides information on careers, research involvement, volunteering, and outreach.
Biochemistry Engagement Program: Students can participate in structured activities designed to connect undergraduate students with the department and research community.

Progression & Future Opportunities

UW–Madison describes Biochemistry as a broad preparation for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, education, and research, while also supporting graduate and professional study. The university specifically identifies the degree as an excellent background for medical and veterinary school admission and graduate study in biochemistry, biology, bacteriology, genetics, molecular biology, and oncology.

Typical Job Roles: Biochemist, Biotechnology Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Laboratory Scientist

Students can develop their career and academic progression through these university-supported opportunities:

Career advising: Professional Biochemistry advisors help students plan their academic pathway, while L&S SuccessWorks provides one-on-one career advising, events, internship resources, and guidance for employment or graduate-school admission.
Handshake: Students can use Handshake to explore career events, campus interviews, jobs, and internships from 200,000+ employers across the country.
Research experience: Students can obtain research experience through the Biochemistry Department and related life-science or chemistry departments, with opportunities for either academic credit or paid work.
Graduate and professional preparation: The curriculum provides a foundation for medical school, veterinary school, and graduate study in biochemistry and related scientific disciplines.
Industry relevance: UW–Madison identifies biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, and research among the broad fields in which Biochemistry graduates pursue professional opportunities.
Professional networking: The ASBMB student chapter provides information on career and job opportunities, research involvement, volunteering, and outreach.
Research-to-career development: The Biochemistry Scholars Program can provide up to three years of research experience, while department-funded summer research and conference travel opportunities can strengthen students' scientific profiles.
Graduation outcomes: The university's official page describes graduates entering biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences, education, research, graduate school, and other science-related fields, rather than publishing a current program-specific employment rate or salary figure on this page.
Academic progression: Graduates can continue into biochemistry and related graduate fields including biology, bacteriology, genetics, molecular biology, and oncology, or pursue professional education in medicine and veterinary medicine.

Further Academic Progression:
Students completing the Biochemistry B.A. can continue into master's or doctoral study in biochemistry and related life sciences, including biology, bacteriology, genetics, molecular biology, and oncology. The degree also provides preparation for professional programs such as medical and veterinary school, while students interested in research can strengthen their preparation through undergraduate research, honors thesis work, and directed laboratory study.