Biochemistry BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Western Michigan University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biochemistry at Western Michigan University is designed for students interested in medicine, dentistry, nutrition, pharmacology and molecular biology, combining chemistry with molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, mathematics and calculus-based physics. It is a strong fit for students who want a science-intensive foundation for health professions, laboratory careers or graduate study in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build their scientific foundation through CHEM 1100 General Chemistry I, CHEM 1110 General Chemistry Laboratory I, CHEM 1120 General Chemistry II and CHEM 1130 General Chemistry Laboratory II, alongside BIOS 1600 Biological Form and Function and BIOS 1610 Molecular and Cellular Biology. This stage establishes core chemical principles while introducing students to biological structure, cellular processes and laboratory practice.

Second Year: Students progress into CHEM 3750 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 3760 Organic Chemistry Lab I, CHEM 3770 Organic Chemistry II and CHEM 3780 Organic Chemistry Lab II, while also developing quantitative and physical-science skills through calculus and university physics. The combination gives students a stronger understanding of organic molecules, chemical reactions, laboratory methods and the mathematical and physical principles needed for advanced biochemistry.

Third Year: The programme moves toward more specialized scientific analysis through CHEM 2250 Quantitative Analysis, CHEM 2260 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory, CHEM 4300 Physical Chemistry I and CHEM 4360 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I. Students also study BIOS 2500 Genetics and BIOS 3120 Microbiology, connecting chemical principles with heredity, molecular biology and microorganisms.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced biochemical study through CHEM 5500 Biochemistry I, CHEM 5510 Biochemistry I Laboratory and CHEM 5540 Biochemistry II, together with an upper-level chemistry elective. This final stage brings together chemical, biological and laboratory knowledge and supports progression into health professions, research employment or graduate study.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry, quantitative analysis, physical chemistry, laboratory science, pharmacology, nutrition, medicine, dentistry and molecular biology.

Learning outcomes

Students develop a broad foundation in chemistry and biological sciences, quantitative and laboratory skills, molecular and cellular understanding, genetics and microbiology knowledge, and preparation for biochemical research and health-science pathways.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The WMU Biochemistry curriculum follows proposals from the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB). WMU describes this curriculum as particularly appropriate for health sciences and graduate careers in biochemistry or molecular biology; the university does not state that the B.S. itself is separately ACS-accredited or ASBMB-accredited.

Reputation (employability rankings)

WMU's 2024–25 university-wide Career Outcomes Report states that 94% of graduates working full time had a job related to their degree, while 95% were satisfied with their job. The same report gives a $60,000–$70,000 median salary for recent graduates working full time, based on 881 reported salaries; these are university-wide figures rather than Biochemistry-specific statistics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Biochemistry students at Western Michigan University can gain practical experience through undergraduate research, laboratory-based coursework, internships and student organizations. WMU specifically highlights its Research Experience for Undergraduates, while the Chemistry Department provides teaching and research environments equipped for advanced biochemistry and modern analytical work.

Students can develop hands-on skills through opportunities such as:

Undergraduate research: WMU encourages biochemistry students to work with faculty and participate in the University's Research Experience for Undergraduates, which can strengthen preparation for employment or graduate and professional programmes.
Chemistry Building: Teaching facilities include laboratories for physical chemistry, organic chemistry and advanced instrumental methods, with research workspace suitable for advanced biochemistry and quantitative analysis.
NMR and mass spectrometry: Research facilities provide access to a JEOL 400 MHz NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, HPLC-linked mass spectrometers and other analytical systems used in chemical and biochemical research.
Chromatography and spectroscopy: Students working in research environments can encounter GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, fluorescence spectrometers and luminescence equipment, supporting sophisticated molecular and chemical analysis.
Imaging facilities: Research infrastructure includes access to transmission and scanning electron microscopy and a confocal microscope through WMU facilities.
Internships: The Biochemistry programme identifies internship opportunities with area hospitals, healthcare groups, Stryker and Perrigo, giving students opportunities to connect classroom science with healthcare and industry settings.
Chem Club: Students can join the Chem Club, an affiliate group of the American Chemical Society, for networking and information about chemistry-related careers and advanced degrees.
Research funding: WMU provides undergraduate research funding opportunities through its Office of Research and Innovation, including support for mentored research and creative scholarship.
Biological Sciences facilities: Related biological-science research facilities include spectrophotometers, ultracentrifuges, scanning and transmission electron microscopes and other research equipment relevant to biological investigation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biochemistry can lead to scientific employment in research, education, pharmaceutical and government settings, while also providing preparation for medicine, dentistry and graduate study. WMU reports that recent Biochemistry graduates work as teachers and researchers in colleges and universities, government laboratories, nonprofit research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, and that a high percentage continue into graduate, medical or dental school.

Typical career directions include Research Scientist, Biochemistry Laboratory Technician, Pharmaceutical Researcher and Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

Career and Student Employment Services: WMU's career service provides career and employment resources, including information on job titles and employers associated with its graduates. The university's career database lists examples such as Biochemist at Siemens Healthineers, Associate Scientist at Perrigo, Associate Scientist at Eurofins and Associate Scientist at DPT Laboratories among relevant life-science employment examples.
Employment outcomes: WMU's 2024–25 university-wide report states that 9 out of 10 Broncos are employed quickly and working in their field in jobs they like, while 94% of graduates working full time reported that their job was related to their degree.
Salary information: The university reports a $60,000–$70,000 median salary for recent graduates working full time, based on 881 reported salaries in its 2024–25 survey. This is a university-wide figure and should not be treated as a Biochemistry-specific salary.
Industry connections: The Biochemistry programme specifically identifies internship opportunities with Stryker and Perrigo, while WMU's graduate employment data also identifies organizations such as Pfizer, Charles River Laboratories and Bronson Methodist Hospital among employers of WMU graduates.
Research preparation: Students can gain mentored research experience through WMU's undergraduate research programmes and work alongside faculty on scholarly projects, providing preparation for research employment and postgraduate study.
Professional and health-science progression: WMU positions the Biochemistry curriculum for health-science pathways including medicine, dentistry, nutrition and pharmacology, as well as graduate careers in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Graduation outcomes: A WMU post-graduation report covering Biochemistry and Chemistry together recorded 100% active engagement among 14 undergraduate respondents, with 86% employed full time and 14% continuing education; because the report combines Biochemistry and Chemistry, these figures should not be treated as Biochemistry-only results.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biochemistry, chemistry and related molecular or biomedical fields. WMU's Chemistry Department offers graduate programmes including the M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, while the Biochemistry curriculum also provides preparation for medical and dental school and other health-professional pathways.