Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Wayne State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology at Wayne State University gives students in-depth preparation across five areas of biological chemistry—bioorganic, bioinorganic, bioanalytical, biophysical and health sciences—while connecting chemical principles to real biological problems. It is particularly suited to students interested in graduate or professional school and careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, agricultural and bioinformatics industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as CHM 1100 General Chemistry I, CHM 1130 General Chemistry I Laboratory, CHM 1140 General Chemistry II and CHM 1150 General Chemistry II Laboratory. Mathematics, physics and introductory biological science are also introduced, giving students the core quantitative and laboratory skills needed for advanced biochemistry and chemical biology.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into organic and analytical chemistry through CHM 1240 Organic Chemistry I, CHM 1250 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, CHM 2220 Organic Chemistry II and CHM 2230 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory. Students also develop their biological foundation through BIO 1510 Basic Life Mechanisms, BIO 1511 Basic Life Mechanisms Laboratory and BIO 3070 Genetics.

Year 3: Students move into more specialized chemical biology with CHM 3000 Metals in Biology, CHM 3120 Analytical Chemistry and CHM 3130 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, followed by advanced subjects such as CHM 5400 Biological Physical Chemistry and CHM 6610 Biological Chemistry Laboratory. These courses strengthen students' understanding of biological molecules, analytical techniques and the physical principles underlying biological systems.

Year 4: The final stage focuses heavily on molecular and biomedical applications through CHM 6620 Metabolism: Pathways and Regulation, CHM 6635 Tools of Molecular Biology and CHM 6640 Molecular Biology. Students also complete CHM 5999 Research in Chemistry, CHM 5998 Honors Thesis Research in Chemistry or CHM 5900 Biomedical Research as Discovery, with the opportunity to substitute approved internship experience for part of the research requirement.

Focus areas

Bioorganic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, biophysical chemistry, health sciences, molecular biology, metabolism, chemical biology, pharmaceutical science, biomedical science and bioinformatics.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply chemical concepts to biological problems, perform biological chemistry experiments, use molecular biology tools, analyze biochemical processes, conduct independent research and communicate scientific findings.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology is approved by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) through 2029, according to Wayne State University's official accreditation information.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Wayne State University reports that it was again ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report in its Fall 2025–Winter 2026 official publication. Wayne State also identifies itself as a national research university with more than 300,000 alumni worldwide, providing a broad alumni network for students pursuing scientific and professional careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a significant part of the program, particularly through required independent research and advanced laboratory courses. By senior year, students must complete research under the direction of a Chemistry faculty member and produce a written report; approved students may substitute an internship experience for part of the research requirement. Wayne State's wider biomedical research environment also gives students access to molecular biology, imaging, proteomics, structural biology and drug-design resources.

Students can gain practical experience through:

CHM 6610 Biological Chemistry Laboratory: Students work with experiments involving the isolation, purification and analysis of biomolecules and techniques used in molecular biology and recombinant DNA procedures.
CHM 5900 Biomedical Research as Discovery: Students solve biochemical research problems using laboratory research tools, including computational methods.
CHM 5999 Research in Chemistry: Students undertake an original investigation under the direction of a senior faculty member and prepare a written research report.
CHM 6991 Internship Experience: With prior approval from the Chemistry department chair, two credits of internship experience may substitute for two credits of the research requirement.
Analytical instrumentation: CHM laboratory coursework includes techniques such as UV-visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry, column chromatography and gas chromatography; advanced instrumental laboratory work also covers IR, magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy.
Structural biology and drug design: Wayne State research includes protein expression, high-throughput assay development, mechanism-of-action studies, X-ray crystallography, modeling and drug design for preclinical drug discovery and development.
Biomedical research facilities: Available research resources include research-grade microscopes and imaging software, flow cytometry, PCR machines, ultracentrifuges, Biosafety Level 2 laboratories, proteomics resources and molecular analytical facilities.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP): Students can participate in faculty-mentored research projects across the university, providing an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real research.
Biomedical research environment: Gordon H. Scott Hall is located within the Detroit Medical Center and near the Karmanos Cancer Institute, C.S. Mott Center, Shiffman Medical Library and six hospitals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The program prepares graduates for scientific careers as well as graduate and professional education, with Wayne State specifically identifying chemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical, agricultural and bioinformatics industries as potential career areas. Its research component can also provide a strong foundation for students who want to continue into advanced biomedical or chemical sciences.

Typical career directions include biochemist, chemical biologist, pharmaceutical research scientist and biomedical research scientist:

Career preparation: Wayne State provides university-wide career support and opportunities for students to gain practical experience; its Global Career Accelerator offers field experience, industry tools, certifications and access to an early-career network.
Research experience: Required faculty-supervised research helps students develop experimental design, scientific investigation, data analysis and scientific communication skills.
Industry exposure: Wayne State's Global Career Accelerator works with brand partners to provide field experience and industry-oriented skills while students earn academic credit.
Biomedical research connections: The university's research environment includes work in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, bioenergetics and metabolism, computational biology, immunology, microbial pathogenesis, structural biology, drug design, stem cell biology and virology.
Long-term professional value: ASBMB approval through 2029 provides external professional recognition specifically for the B.S. in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology.
Graduate pathway: Wayne State offers an AGRADE pathway allowing qualified Biochemistry and Chemical Biology B.S. students to enroll simultaneously in the M.A. in Chemistry and apply up to 16 credits toward both degrees. Applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 and a major GPA of at least 3.60.
Biomedical postgraduate options: Wayne State's School of Medicine offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in areas including Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Immunology & Molecular Biology, providing further routes into biomedical research.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral study in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, biomedical sciences and related disciplines. Students can also pursue professional-school pathways or use the AGRADE option to combine the B.S. with an M.A. in Chemistry at Wayne State.