Bachelor of Science Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Washington State University Pullman

Program Overview

Washington State University’s B.S. in Biochemistry explores life at the molecular level by bringing together chemistry, physics and biology, making it a strong fit for students interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, agriculture, food science or health professions. Students can also choose a Biophysics or Molecular Biology specialization, while the program provides opportunities to begin faculty-mentored research as early as the first year.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific and mathematical foundation through BIOLOGY 106/107, CHEM 105 Principles of Chemistry I, CHEM 106 Principles of Chemistry II, and mathematics courses such as MATH 171 Calculus I. The year also includes MBIOS 138, helping students begin their molecular-biosciences pathway alongside WSU's general education requirements.

Year 2: Students progress into more specialized chemistry and molecular biosciences through CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry I, MBIOS 301 General Genetics, and MATH 172, while MBIOS 201 develops scientific communication skills. Physics and additional chemistry coursework strengthen the quantitative and molecular foundation needed for upper-division biochemistry.

Year 3: The program moves further into advanced molecular science, with students building on courses such as MBIOS 303 Introductory Biochemistry, advanced chemistry and physics, and upper-division molecular biosciences coursework. Depending on their chosen pathway, students can develop deeper expertise in areas such as molecular biology, biophysics and biochemical mechanisms.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced study, research and preparation for graduate or professional careers. Students can apply their knowledge through upper-division molecular biosciences and chemistry coursework, while research opportunities allow them to work with faculty on areas such as reproductive biology, cancer, infectious diseases, genetics, photosynthesis and other molecular-bioscience questions.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, cell biology, molecular biosciences, biomedical research, biotechnology

Learning outcomes

Students develop an understanding of molecular mechanisms of life, scientific and quantitative reasoning, laboratory and research skills, data analysis, scientific communication, teamwork and preparation for graduate study, professional health programs and careers in biotechnology and related industries.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The official WSU Biochemistry page does not identify the B.S. in Biochemistry as having a separate professional accreditation. The program instead emphasizes preparation for professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmacy, as well as graduate study and scientific employment.

Reputation (research/employability)

Washington State University describes itself as a Tier I research university, with undergraduate research available across disciplines. WSU also reports that 2 out of 3 undergraduate students in the College of Veterinary Medicine conduct research, while its Research Scholars program allows qualified students in biochemistry and other STEM majors to begin faculty research as early as their first year.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biochemistry provides unusually early exposure to research, with students able to work alongside faculty in molecular-biosciences laboratories from the beginning of their undergraduate studies. WSU's research environment covers areas including biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, infectious diseases, reproductive biology, functional genomics and DNA repair, giving students opportunities to connect classroom science with original research.

Students can develop laboratory, data-analysis, scientific-communication and teamwork skills through faculty research, research-scholar programs, presentations and interdisciplinary projects. Specific opportunities include:

First-year research: Students can begin participating in faculty research as early as the spring semester of their freshman year through WSU's Research Scholars opportunities.
EschLEAD Undergraduate Research Program: Students can enter research laboratories as early as their first year and gain experience in original research, commercialization, technology transfer and industry collaboration.
Molecular biosciences research: Biochemistry students can investigate topics such as photosynthesis, plant disease resistance, cancer and its treatments, reproductive biology and fermentation science.
Faculty-mentored research: Students work directly with faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, developing research, communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
STARS Accelerated Degree Program: Selected students receive one-to-one faculty mentorship and rotate through at least three research laboratories, with a pathway toward a Ph.D. or dual MD/PhD or DVM/PhD programs.
Research presentation: Undergraduate researchers can present their findings at the WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research, the College's Research Symposium and national conferences.
Research Scholars: Qualified biochemistry students receive specialized research preparation, faculty mentorship and access to research opportunities; the program also provides a $2,500 first-year scholarship.
Owen Science and Engineering Library: Biochemistry students have access to WSU's Owen Science and Engineering Library, identified by WSU as the largest science and engineering library of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
Bioinformatics: Students interested in computational biology can complement their studies with WSU's Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate, focused on computational and quantitative analysis within biological contexts.
Study abroad and research immersion: WSU offers undergraduate study-abroad opportunities including the Research Immersion in Nairobi, a six-week summer program providing research opportunities in Kenya.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry prepares students for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and research industries, as well as private and government laboratories. It also provides a foundation for advanced professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmacy, while research-focused students can pursue graduate study in molecular biosciences and related fields.

Typical job roles: Biochemist, Biotechnology Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Research Scientist

Career preparation: WSU's Academic Success and Career Center provides career advice, while Handshake connects students with hundreds of student-friendly jobs, internships and work-study opportunities.
Research-to-career preparation: WSU reports that its undergraduate research experiences build practical skills in lab technology, data analysis and scientific communication, with opportunities involving commercialization and industry collaboration.
Postgraduate outcomes: WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine reports that, among its undergraduate students, approximately 1 in 3 pursue a graduate degree, 1 in 3 pursue careers in biotechnology and 1 in 3 pursue careers in healthcare. These figures apply to the college's undergraduate population rather than specifically to Biochemistry graduates.
Industry connections: WSU identifies Amazon, Boeing, Deloitte, Google and Microsoft among the top employers of WSU graduates, while the university's research ecosystem supports collaborations across science and technology fields.
Research partnerships and funding: WSU researchers conduct work connected with major research challenges, and the university reported $331.7 million in research awards in 2024.
Professional progression: The program is specifically designed to support progression into professional degrees in human medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmacy.
Research career pathway: WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences offers graduate study in molecular biosciences covering biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, structural biology and virology.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into WSU's M.S. in Molecular Biosciences or Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences, or apply to professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. Research-oriented students can also use programs such as STARS to pursue an accelerated route toward a Ph.D. or combined MD/PhD or DVM/PhD pathway.