Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Wake Forest University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Wake Forest University combines biological chemistry and molecular biology to help students understand the molecular processes underlying biological and biomedical challenges. It is particularly suited to students interested in laboratory research, biotechnology, biomedical science, or pre-health pathways, with students choosing either a biochemistry or molecular biology concentration and completing a required research experience that culminates in a senior project.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students generally begin with foundational 100-level courses that establish the chemistry and biology knowledge needed for advanced study. Core subjects include CHM 111/111L: College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Lab, BIO 150/150L: Biology I and Biology I Lab, and the subsequent CHM 280/280L: College Chemistry II and Theory and Methods of Quantitative Analysis Lab as students progress through the foundation.

Year 2: Students build a stronger molecular and chemical foundation through courses such as CHM 122/122L: Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab, CHM 223/223L: Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab, and BIO 265: Cellular and Molecular Biology. Wake Forest identifies these foundational chemistry and biology courses as coursework that should generally be completed by the end of the sophomore year, preparing students for upper-level BMB study.

Years 3–4: Upper-level study moves into the core of biochemistry and molecular biology through courses such as BMB/BIO/CHM 370: Biochemistry I – Macromolecules and Metabolism, BMB/BIO 372: Advanced Molecular Biology, and BMB/CHM 373: Biochemistry II. Students also complete advanced laboratory work, BMB 388: Senior Seminar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BMB 395: Senior Research Project, and at least two semesters or summers of research, while elective options can include Epigenetics, Cancer Biology, Genomics, Molecular Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, and Computational Systems Biology.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, cellular and molecular biology, macromolecules and metabolism, genomics, epigenetics, cancer biology, molecular neuroscience, bioinformatics, computational systems biology, biomedical research.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply scientific concepts to problems, interpret and project from data, make critical observations and decisions, operate scientific equipment, maintain accurate research records, and conduct and clearly communicate scientific research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Wake Forest University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Wake Forest's official accreditation information does not list a separate program-level accreditation for the B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; the ACS-approved programs listed by the university are specific B.S. programs in the Department of Chemistry.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Wake Forest reports that nearly 42% of students who declared Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the 2023–26 graduating classes presented a faculty-mentored project at Undergraduate Research Day, while BMB majors won the Goldwater Scholarship in four of the past six years listed by the university: 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Across Wake Forest, the university reports that at least 97% of each graduating class for nine consecutive years was employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, based on known outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a central part of Wake Forest's B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology rather than an optional addition. The major requires students to complete research in a Wake Forest University or Wake Forest School of Medicine laboratory for at least two semesters or summers, culminating in a senior research project, giving students direct experience with experimental approaches, scientific equipment, data interpretation and research communication.

The program is based at Wake Downtown, a 151,000-square-foot facility with hands-on teaching laboratories, project-based studios and advanced research laboratories. Its location alongside the Wake Forest School of Medicine, with BioTech Place and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine nearby, gives BMB students access to a wider biomedical research environment and opportunities for research, clinical volunteering and shadowing.

Students can build this practical experience through:

Required laboratory research: Students must complete at least two semesters or summers of research in a laboratory at Wake Forest University or the Wake Forest School of Medicine.
Senior Research Project: BMB 395: Senior Research Project provides the culminating research experience for the major.
Advanced laboratory training: Students can take BMB/BIO/CHM 371L: Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory and BMB/BIO 372L: Molecular Biology Laboratory, or BIO 388: Methods in Molecular Genetics.
Faculty-mentored research: Wake Forest's URECA Center supports faculty-mentored undergraduate research, with more than 100 students conducting research each summer and presenting their work at Undergraduate Research Day.
Wake Downtown research environment: Students work alongside graduate students and faculty in a facility specifically designed with teaching and research laboratories for BMB and related biomedical programs.
Medical and biomedical facilities: The program's location in the Innovation Quarter places students close to the Wake Forest School of Medicine, BioTech Place, and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, creating opportunities to engage with different research and clinical environments.
Research presentation: The university reports that nearly 42% of BMB majors from the 2023–26 graduating classes presented a faculty-mentored project at Undergraduate Research Day.
Research-focused student organizations: BMB students can participate in organizations including the American Chemical Society, Beta Beta Beta, Bioethics Club, and Women in STEM.
Digital/software tools: The official BMB program pages identify courses such as Bioinformatics and Computational Systems Biology, but they do not specify particular commercial software packages as required program tools.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology provides preparation for laboratory, biotechnology, biomedical and research-oriented careers while also supporting students planning for professional or graduate education. Wake Forest specifically lists roles such as Associate Scientist, Biochemist, Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Pharmacist Technician, Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Scientist and Scientist, while noting that recent graduates have also progressed into medical schools, engineering and financial consulting.

Typical career roles include:

Biochemist
Associate Scientist
Laboratory Technician
Research Scientist

Students can strengthen their transition from undergraduate study to employment or further education through:

Career development support: Wake Forest's Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) provides career guidance throughout the undergraduate experience, including personalized coaching, career fairs, employer information sessions, networking opportunities and college-to-career courses covering areas such as résumé writing, interviewing, networking and professional branding.
Employment and graduate outcomes: Wake Forest reports that at least 97% of each graduating class for nine consecutive years was employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, based on known outcomes. The university's broader 2025 graduation-placement data records 65% entering the workforce, 19% pursuing an advanced degree, 5% entering teaching and 11% undecided. These figures are university-wide rather than specific to BMB.
Salary information: Wake Forest's official BMB program and career pages do not publish a program-specific graduate salary figure, so no salary amount is included here.
University–industry and biomedical connections: BMB is located in Wake Downtown within the Innovation Quarter, near BioTech Place and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and in the same building as the Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education. The university describes these connections as providing opportunities for research, clinical volunteering, shadowing and collaboration with medical-school faculty and students.
Research preparation: Students complete required research and a senior research project, while URECA provides additional faculty-mentored research opportunities. This gives graduates documented experience with experimental research, scientific records, data interpretation and communication.
Graduation outcomes: Wake Forest BMB graduates have progressed into medical schools and other advanced educational pathways, while the university also identifies direct career destinations in research and laboratory roles.
Accreditation value: The university's SACSCOC institutional accreditation supports the bachelor's degree's status as an accredited university credential. Wake Forest does not identify a separate BMB-specific professional accreditation, so the program should not be described as having one.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue advanced degrees such as master's or Ph.D. study in areas related to biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and biomedical science, or continue into professional education such as medical school. Wake Forest also offers graduate Biology and Chemistry programs, while the BMB curriculum's research component is specifically designed to prepare students for research and pre-health pathways.