Biochemistry, BA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Program Overview

The Biochemistry, BA at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) provides an intensive education in biochemistry, combining chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and laboratory science to prepare students for biochemical industry careers and a range of health, research and scientific fields. It is particularly suited to students interested in understanding the chemistry of living systems and pursuing areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, medical or veterinary fields, forensics, genetics and scientific research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with the scientific foundations of the degree through CHEM 102: General Chemistry, CHEM 104: General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis, and BIO SCI 150/152: Foundations of Biological Sciences I and II. Mathematics is introduced through MATH 211: Survey in Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and MATH 205: Introductory Finite Mathematics, establishing the quantitative foundation for later chemistry and biochemistry courses.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialized chemical and quantitative work through CHEM 221: Elementary Quantitative Analysis, CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry, and CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry, alongside CHEM 344: Organic Chemistry Laboratory. The year also develops knowledge of physics, statistics and genetics through PHYSICS 120/121, PHYSICS 122/123, MTHSTAT 215: Elementary Statistical Analysis, and BIO SCI 325: Genetics.

Year 3: The curriculum shifts toward the molecular basis of life with CHEM 560: Biophysical Chemistry and CHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry. Students then deepen their understanding through CHEM 602: Biochemistry: Cellular Processes or CHEM 604: Biochemistry: Metabolism, together with CHEM 603: Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory and a biological science elective.

Year 4: Students explore advanced biochemical concepts through CHEM 601: Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function, while completing the research component through CHEM 691: Senior Research or CHEM 692: Senior Thesis. This final stage gives students the opportunity to connect their biochemical knowledge with independent research and develop experience relevant to scientific employment or further study.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, protein structure and function, cellular processes, metabolism, genetics, molecular biology, quantitative analysis, laboratory science and scientific research.

Learning Outcomes

The curriculum develops students' understanding of chemistry and biochemistry and prepares them to apply scientific knowledge in laboratory, research and professional environments. Students also develop practical research experience through senior research or a senior thesis and can build specialized knowledge through biological science electives such as Cell Biology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology of Microorganisms and Functional Genomics.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

UWM is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), with its accreditation officially continued following the 2022–2023 reaffirmation process; the next reaffirmation is scheduled for 2032–2033. The university's official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Biochemistry, BA, so no program-specific accreditation should be added to the database without additional official evidence.

Reputation (Employability & Research Profile)

UWM's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry describes its curriculum as preparation for research scientists, industrial chemists and educators and notes cooperation with Milwaukee's industrial and scientific community. The department also emphasizes that undergraduate students can begin research as early as their first year and may work directly with faculty and graduate students, with some students contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry, BA provides substantial opportunities to apply classroom knowledge through laboratory courses, faculty-led research and independent research projects. UWM strongly encourages undergraduate research, and students may begin working with faculty as early as their first year; the department's research environment spans analytical chemistry, biological chemistry and structural biology, drug discovery, organic and medicinal chemistry, and physical and computational chemistry.

Students can develop practical skills through these program-specific opportunities:

CHEM 603: Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory provides dedicated laboratory experience within the biochemistry curriculum.
CHEM 344: Organic Chemistry Laboratory gives students practical experience alongside Organic Chemistry.
CHEM 691: Senior Research / CHEM 692: Senior Thesis allows students to complete a research-based component for the major and satisfy the College of Letters & Science research requirement.
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP): Students can connect with faculty-led research projects as early as freshman year, earn academic credit and participate in a weekly research seminar during the early stages of their undergraduate career.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program: The Chemistry and Biochemistry department offers an intensive summer research experience in laboratories covering analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, drug discovery, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. The 10-week program concludes with a departmental poster session and includes an excursion to a local company.
Scientific Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE): Qualifying students can receive up to $4,000 to conduct STEM research with a faculty mentor.
Research instrumentation and techniques: UWM's Biological Chemistry & Structural Biology research includes recombinant DNA technology, crystallography, NMR, EPR, UV/visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Drug discovery research: The department's research portfolio includes organic and medicinal chemistry, drug discovery and development, including synthesis of organic molecules for potential drug candidates and multifunctional materials.
Research presentation: Summer research students present their findings in a departmental poster session, giving them experience communicating scientific results.
Research travel support: UWM offers Undergraduate Research Travel Grants of up to $400 for domestic travel to help eligible students present research at conferences.
Internship support: Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty advisors can explain internship opportunities and help students obtain relevant experiential opportunities. UWM's career professionals can also help students locate internships and connect with alumni in particular industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry, BA is designed to prepare graduates for scientific employment as well as further education in health and graduate fields. UWM identifies pathways including laboratory research in healthcare, water and manufacturing, forensics, agriculture, genetics, food safety and production, pharmaceutical production, scientific communication, and science-related sales and marketing.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Laboratory Researcher, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Forensic Scientist

Students can build their professional pathway through:

Career planning and internship support: UWM's Student Experience and Talent professionals help students identify career goals, develop job-search strategies, locate internships, and connect with UWM alumni who can provide information about particular industries or careers.
Faculty advising: Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty advisors explain internship and undergraduate research opportunities and advise students about graduate programs and career paths.
Industry exposure: The department states that it cooperates with chemists from Milwaukee's industrial and scientific community, while its summer research program includes an excursion to a local company.
Research experience: UWM students can work directly with faculty and graduate students on current research projects, and the department notes that some undergraduate researchers have been published in peer-reviewed journals alongside faculty members.
Research-to-employment preparation: The department states that undergraduate research can strengthen students' resumes for graduate school or employment, while the Summer Undergraduate Research Program emphasizes developing practical research and presentation experience.
Career fields identified by UWM: Graduates can pursue opportunities in medical laboratories, crime laboratories, manufacturing, government, teaching, sales, medicine, pharmacy and dentistry, in addition to biochemical and pharmaceutical fields.
Employment and salary statistics: The official UWM Biochemistry, BA pages reviewed do not provide a program-specific graduate employment rate or salary figure. I would therefore record these fields as NA rather than using a salary figure from an unrelated program or external source.
Long-term accreditation value: UWM's institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission was continued in 2023 and is scheduled for reaffirmation in 2032–2033. The official program information does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for this BA.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.A., students can continue into graduate-level study. UWM specifically offers Master of Science and PhD programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, while the department also identifies medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and other health-professional programs as common directions for students with a biochemistry background.