Bachelors in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Washington University in St Louis

Program Overview

The Biochemistry Major at Washington University in St. Louis combines biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and advanced laboratory work to help students understand biological processes at the molecular level. It is a strong fit for students interested in biomedical research, biotechnology, medicine, graduate study and other science-related careers, with opportunities to add research, data science and specialized biochemistry coursework to the degree.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as BIOL 2960 Principles of Biology I, BIOL 2970 Principles of Biology II, and CHEM 1601 Principles of General Chemistry I. They also begin the laboratory component with CHEM 1751 General Chemistry Laboratory I and develop quantitative skills through MATH 1510 Calculus I.

Year 2: Students build deeper knowledge in chemistry, biology and the physical sciences through CHEM 2501 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2502 Organic Chemistry II, and PHYSICS 1740 Physics I. Laboratory training continues through CHEM 2551/2552 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II and the Physics laboratory sequence, while students can begin developing data-science skills through options such as CSE 2107 Introduction to Data Science or SDS 3110 Biostatistics.

Year 3: Students transition into advanced biochemistry with CHEM 4090 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, CHEM 4810 General Biochemistry I, and CHEM 4820 General Biochemistry II. They also select advanced biology and laboratory experiences such as BIOL 3340 Cell Biology, BIOL 4220 Practical Bioinformatics, BIOL 4522 Laboratory in Protein Analysis, Proteomics, and Protein Structure, or CHEM 4851 Biological Chemistry Laboratory.

Year 4: The final year allows students to specialize through advanced subjects such as CHEM 4821 Chemical Biology, CHEM 4831 Nucleic Acids, CHEM 4833 Protein Biochemistry, CHEM 4842 Modern Medicinal Chemistry, and research-based courses including CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. Students can also complete advanced laboratory work and, where appropriate, independent research while developing the writing and research experience expected of advanced scientific study.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, protein biochemistry, proteomics, bioinformatics, genomics, chemical biology, nucleic acids, medicinal chemistry, biostatistics and biotechnology.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop an integrated understanding of chemistry and biology, quantitative and data-analysis skills, laboratory and experimental skills, scientific communication, research experience and the ability to investigate biological questions using chemical and biochemical approaches.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The official 2026–27 WashU Bulletin does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Biochemistry Major. Instead, the curriculum emphasizes substantial chemistry and biology preparation, advanced laboratory training, research and specialized study, including options in bioinformatics, proteomics, chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.

Reputation (Official University Information)

WashU's Chemistry department describes its undergraduate environment as providing access to world-class instruments and facilities, close interaction with faculty and opportunities for cutting-edge research. The department also works closely with the Washington University School of Medicine and the McKelvey School of Engineering, supporting an interdisciplinary scientific environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biochemistry Major provides substantial hands-on training through required chemistry and physics laboratories and an advanced laboratory requirement that can be fulfilled through specialized courses in bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, enzyme analysis or biological chemistry. Students can also move beyond coursework into faculty-supervised research, with the department providing opportunities to work with individual faculty members and participate in interdisciplinary research involving the School of Medicine and McKelvey School of Engineering.

Students can develop practical and research skills through:

CHEM 4851 Biological Chemistry Laboratory: A course-based undergraduate research experience using UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry, qPCR and site-directed mutagenesis. Students use these techniques for independent, hypothesis-driven biochemical investigations.
BIOL 4220 Practical Bioinformatics: Provides advanced laboratory/data-oriented training relevant to modern biological research.
BIOL 4522 Laboratory in Protein Analysis, Proteomics, and Protein Structure: Gives students practical exposure to protein analysis, proteomics and protein-structure investigation.
BIOL 4523 Molecular Methods in Enzyme Analysis: Develops practical experience with molecular approaches used to investigate enzyme function.
BIOL 4342/4343 Research Explorations in Genomics: Provides advanced laboratory/research experience focused on genomics.
CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research: Students in their third or fourth year can conduct supervised research on a selected chemistry topic with an approved faculty research mentor.
CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry: Provides an advanced route into faculty-supervised undergraduate research and can contribute to the program's research honors pathway.
Independent research and honors: Students pursuing Biochemistry Program honors complete at least six units of independent research and produce a scientific-style paper or research presentation, followed by presentation of their research at the OUR Undergraduate Research Symposium or an external conference.
Study abroad research: WashU states that biochemistry students participating in approved study-abroad programs may receive elective or research credit for courses or research completed abroad.
Interdisciplinary research: Chemistry students can participate in research involving the Washington University School of Medicine and McKelvey School of Engineering, giving biochemistry students opportunities to work across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Research instrumentation: The Chemistry department describes its facilities as including world-class instruments that support individualized instruction and cutting-edge scientific research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry Major provides a foundation for scientific careers as well as further study in medicine, graduate research, biotechnology and related areas. WashU's official Chemistry information notes that graduates can pursue biochemistry, medicine, chemical engineering, government, industry and education, while many students continue to graduate or medical school.

Typical career directions include: Biochemist, Laboratory Scientist, Research Scientist, Biotechnology Researcher.

Students can strengthen their progression through:

Career support: The WashU Center for Career Engagement conducts annual First Destination Surveys covering employment, internships, fellowships, research and continuing education, giving students access to university career-outcome resources.
Career and experiential resources: WashU provides opportunities to gain experience through internships, research and other applied experiences, with its career resources including labor-market information and employer opportunities.
Research preparation: Students can complete CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research or CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, developing experience directly relevant to scientific employment and postgraduate research.
Industry and interdisciplinary exposure: The Chemistry department states that research internships at local companies can be arranged and that students may participate in interdisciplinary research with the School of Medicine and McKelvey School of Engineering.
Employment outcomes: WashU's official First Destination Survey reports knowledge rates of 87% for the undergraduate class of 2023, 91% for 2022 and 97% for 2021. These are university-wide undergraduate figures and are not specific to the Biochemistry Major.
Salary figures: The official WashU career-outcome sources reviewed do not provide a Biochemistry Major-specific starting salary figure, so a program-specific salary should not be inferred.
Research and scientific network: The program's connection with the School of Medicine and McKelvey School of Engineering provides opportunities for interdisciplinary research beyond the traditional chemistry curriculum.
Research distinction: Students completing the program's honors pathway can produce a scientific paper or research presentation and present their undergraduate research at the OUR Undergraduate Research Symposium or an external conference.
Long-term academic value: The combination of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, advanced laboratory work and research provides preparation for graduate and professional education in scientific and health-related disciplines.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs in areas such as biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biological sciences, biotechnology and related biomedical fields. The major also provides preparation for professional pathways including medical school and other health-related graduate education, with the advanced research and laboratory components providing a useful foundation for students pursuing research-intensive careers.