BS Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Virginia Tech

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at Virginia Tech combines biology and chemistry to help students understand the molecular mechanisms behind living systems, with preparation for careers and further study in areas such as biotechnology, biomedical research, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, and synthetic biology. Students build a strong scientific foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biochemistry while progressing toward advanced laboratory work, research, and specialized areas of interest.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as BCHM 1014: Biochem First Year Experience, CHEM 1035/1036: General Chemistry, and BIOL 1105/1106: Principles of Biology, supported by laboratory courses and elementary calculus. Students can also take BCHM 1024: Biochem Research Skills, which introduces research-oriented skills early in the degree.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into more specialized scientific preparation through CHEM 2535/2536: Organic Chemistry, PHYS 2205/2206: General Physics, and STAT 3615: Biological Statistics. Students can also develop practical biochemical skills through BCHM 2354: Biochemical Techniques and BCHM 2364: Biochemical Techniques Lab, connecting theoretical knowledge with laboratory methods.

Third Year: Students begin studying biochemistry at an advanced level through BCHM 4115 and BCHM 4116: General Biochemistry, alongside BIOL 2004: Genetics and BIOL 2604: General Microbiology. A major practical component is BCHM 4124: Biochemistry Lab, giving students substantial experience applying biochemical concepts through laboratory work.

Fourth Year: Senior study allows students to deepen their understanding through CHEM 4615/4616: Physical Chemistry Life Sci or approved advanced biochemistry electives, alongside university electives and remaining curriculum requirements. Students can also use this stage to strengthen their preparation for research, professional school, graduate study, or employment in life-science-related fields.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry and molecular biology, protein biochemistry, drug discovery, infectious disease and vector biology, nucleic acid biochemistry, computational biochemistry, protein dynamics, metabolic biology, biotechnology, biomedical science, agriculture and sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand and evaluate the chemical basis of biological processes, interpret biochemical information, apply experimental and analytical techniques, analyze scientific data, communicate scientific findings, work effectively in teams, and approach biochemical problems using critical and evidence-based reasoning.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry curriculum is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). Virginia Tech states that the accreditation recognizes alignment with fundamental biochemistry and molecular biology concepts, critical reasoning, communication, teamwork, safety and ethics, as well as opportunities for mentored research, cooperative experiences, and internships; students may also take the ASBMB degree certification exam.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Virginia Tech’s Department of Biochemistry states that its undergraduate program is currently ranked as the fourth top land-grant B.S. in Biochemistry program in the United States. The department also reports that approximately one-third of its biochemistry students pursue a health-professions program after graduation, demonstrating the program's strong preparation for professional-school pathways.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Virginia Tech's B.S. in Biochemistry gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom learning through research, laboratory training, collaborative projects, teaching, internships, and international study. Students can work with faculty on genuine research projects and develop experience in research design, experimental techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, scientific writing, and communication; the department also encourages students to present their findings through events such as the EngelPalooza undergraduate research showcase.

Students can gain practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Biochemical research: Qualified undergraduates can conduct faculty-mentored research in biochemistry, chemistry, biological sciences, entomology, plant science, and other campus units.
Research design and data analysis: Undergraduate research provides hands-on experience in experimental design, scientific techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, scientific writing, and communication.
Computational research: The first-year Biochem Research Skills experience uses molecular docking and molecular visualization to investigate protein structure and function.
Protein-focused group projects: Students in the first-year research experience work in small groups on protein targets, using molecular visualization and molecular docking and presenting their findings at the Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Advanced laboratory experience: BCHM 4124: Biochemistry Lab provides an intensive laboratory component within the core curriculum.
Research facilities: Students participating in research can access modern facilities and instrumentation including NMR, EPR, GC-MS, LC-MS-MS, circular dichroism spectroscopy, HPLC, FPLC, cell-culture facilities, fluorescence microscopy, real-time PCR, DNA sequencing equipment, fermentation equipment, and high-speed centrifuges.
Specialized research environments: Department facilities include the Food Analysis Laboratory Control Center, Keck Confocal Microscope Facility, Keck Transgenic Plant Greenhouse, Fralin Fermentation and Protein Purification Facility, and Flow Cytometry Core Facility.
Computational and literature resources: The Biochemistry Library Digital Research Center provides research journals and computers for molecular graphics, modeling, and literature searches.
Teaching experience: Qualified undergraduate students can become paid teaching assistants for courses including BCHM 2114, BCHM 4115, BCHM 4116, and BCHM 4124, normally working around 5–10 hours per week.
Internships and cooperative experiences: The ASBMB-accredited curriculum provides opportunities for independent research, cooperative experiences, and internships, while Virginia Tech's biochemistry resources identify internships with businesses and government organizations as an option for students.
International experience: Biochemistry students can participate in study abroad, international research, and internships. Virginia Tech has a specific partnership with the University of Dundee for a semester study-abroad opportunity, particularly suited to the spring semester of junior year.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry can lead into laboratory and biotechnology careers as well as professional and graduate-school pathways in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and the life sciences. Virginia Tech's recent first-destination records for biochemistry graduates show positions with organizations including BioSpectra, Bon Secours Health Systems, Carilion Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, SGS North America, and Jecho Laboratories, illustrating the range of laboratory, healthcare, research, and scientific opportunities available to graduates.

Typical career directions include:
Biochemist, Laboratory Technician, Research Scientist, Analytical Development Associate

Career support: Virginia Tech Career and Professional Development provides employment resources including career advising, Handshake, job and internship opportunities, career fairs, and on-campus interviewing. Alumni within two years of graduation can also access Career and Professional Development advising.
Employment examples: The university's 2024–2025 first-destination report for Biochemistry lists graduates working as Laboratory Technicians, Medical Assistants, Medical Office Technicians, Medical Scribes and other positions. The 2023–2024 report also lists Biochemistry graduates working as an Analytical Development Associate, Researcher at the National Institutes of Health, and Scientist.
Salary information: Virginia Tech's 2024–2025 College of Science report records a $52,000 median starting salary among reported salaries for the college overall. Virginia Tech does not publish a sufficiently complete 2024–2025 Biochemistry-specific salary figure in the source used here, so the college-wide figure should not be treated as a Biochemistry-specific salary.
Industry connections: Virginia Tech's Innovation and Partnerships unit reports engagement with 1,000 industry and foundation partners annually and supports sponsored research, project-based learning, internships, industry affiliate programs, and other university-industry collaborations.
Biochemistry alumni network: Virginia Tech's Biochemistry Department highlights alumni working across biotechnology, healthcare, chemical industry, research, regulatory affairs, consulting, forensics, and academia, including alumni at organizations such as Leidos Health, Dragonfly Therapeutics, and GenScript.
Accreditation value: ASBMB accreditation provides an independently evaluated curriculum aligned with biochemistry and molecular biology knowledge, critical reasoning, communication, teamwork, safety, ethics, and research or cooperative experiences. Students also have the option to pursue the ASBMB degree certification exam.
Health-profession preparation: Virginia Tech states that approximately one-third of Biochemistry students pursue health-profession programs after graduation, and the major fulfills most requirements for health-profession programs, with advising available to incorporate additional requirements into an academic plan.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Virginia Tech's graduate pathways, including the Accelerated Bachelor's/Master of Science, Professional M.S. in Life Science, research-based M.S. in Life Science, or Ph.D. in Biochemistry. The B.S. also provides a foundation for professional programs such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other health professions, depending on the student's academic plan and admission requirements.