Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Purdue University West Lafayette explores the chemistry of living systems, connecting biology and chemistry to areas such as medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and molecular research. It is well suited to students interested in understanding the molecular processes of life, with a curriculum combining biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, communication, and hands-on research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through courses such as BCHM 10000 – Introduction to Biochemistry, BIOL 11000 – Fundamentals of Biology I, and CHM 11500 – General Chemistry I, while also beginning mathematics, communication, and core university coursework. This first year introduces students to the field while developing the biology and chemistry knowledge needed for advanced biochemistry.

Year 2: Students move deeper into molecular science through courses including BCHM 22100 – Analytical Biochemistry I, BCHM 29000 – Experimental Design, and BCHM 36100 – Molecules, supported by biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics. Students also begin gaining practical research experience, connecting laboratory methods and experimental design with biochemical concepts.

Year 3: The curriculum develops advanced understanding of biochemical processes through BCHM 32200 – Analytical Biochemistry II, BCHM 46200 – Metabolism, and BCHM 49800 – Research, alongside advanced biology and bioinformatics electives. Students examine metabolic pathways, enzyme-catalyzed reactions, molecular mechanisms, and research methods while building experience through independent research.

Year 4: Students consolidate their scientific training through BCHM 46500 – Biochemistry of Life Processes, BCHM 49000 – Seminar, advanced biochemistry electives, and continued BCHM 49800 – Research. The capstone research experience requires students to undertake an independent project with a faculty member and present their work to the department, providing a strong transition into professional or graduate-level scientific work.

Focus Areas: Molecular biochemistry, analytical biochemistry, metabolism, biological chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, biochemical research, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, and life-science applications.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop an understanding of the molecular principles of life, biochemical structure and function, enzymology, metabolism, experimental design, laboratory analysis, research methods, scientific communication, and the application of biochemistry to medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and other life-science fields.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Purdue identifies this College of Agriculture Biochemistry BS as the only Purdue program accredited by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), providing a professional quality benchmark specifically connected to undergraduate biochemistry education.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Purdue University is ranked No. 9 among U.S. public universities and No. 88 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, while Purdue's 2027 QS materials state that QS evaluates institutions using measures including employer reputation and employment outcomes. Purdue College of Agriculture has also reported strong international recognition in QS subject rankings, including No. 5 globally in Agriculture & Forestry in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Purdue’s B.S. in Biochemistry places strong emphasis on practical scientific training, with the department requiring every major to complete undergraduate research and providing opportunities to work in faculty laboratories for academic credit or pay. Students gain hands-on experience with modern biochemical techniques through dedicated laboratory courses and can extend their learning through internships, summer research, industrial field trips, and advanced research facilities across Purdue’s life-sciences campus.

Students can build this practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

BCHM 10100 – Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory: Freshman students perform real-world experiments involving DNA sequence changes and develop practical skills including pipetting, centrifugation, sterile technique, and scientific data interpretation.
Required Undergraduate Research: Biochemistry majors must complete at least one year of undergraduate research, with the department encouraging two years; research can be conducted in Biochemistry or another department when it uses modern molecular biology approaches.
BCHM 49800 Research: Students complete a minimum of 3 credits of BCHM 49800 research as part of their capstone project, working directly with a faculty research mentor.
Internships & Summer Research: Students can gain paid or credit-bearing laboratory experience on campus and pursue off-campus summer internships, with opportunities promoted through Purdue’s career services and College of Agriculture resources.
Biochemistry Club & Industry Exposure: The Biochemistry Club connects students with faculty and industry scientists and organizes industrial field trips, giving students direct exposure to professional biochemical environments.
Biochemistry Research Laboratories: Department research laboratories are located in the Biochemistry Building, Whistler Hall, and Hansen Life Sciences Research Building, supporting research in areas such as cancer biochemistry, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenetics, and bioinformatics.
Shared Research Instrumentation: Students involved in research can access facilities and instruments including flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, gel documentation, Typhoon variable-mode imaging, and quantitative real-time PCR.
Opperman Imaging Facility: This facility provides access to advanced imaging technology, giving students opportunities to gain experience with state-of-the-art imaging equipment used in research.
Bindley Bioscience Center: Purdue’s interdisciplinary life-sciences center provides advanced instrumentation, data analysis, consulting, and training, with capabilities including biological mass spectrometry, metabolomics, proteomics, computational life sciences, and informatics.
Drug Discovery Facility: Students are surrounded by research infrastructure supporting cell culture, analytical chemistry, molecule purification, biochemistry, molecular biology, and fluorescent imaging, with multidisciplinary research involving drug discovery and disease research.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Purdue’s NSF-sponsored Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Proteins REU provides a 10-week research-intensive experience covering protein biochemistry, experimental design, molecular genetics, model organisms, hypothesis development, and testing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Purdue’s B.S. in Biochemistry gives students a strong foundation for careers in life-science research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, medical laboratories, and related fields. Purdue reports that more than 90% of College of Agriculture graduates are employed or continuing their education after completing their bachelor’s degree, while the department notes that many biochemistry graduates continue to medical, veterinary, graduate, or other professional schools.

Typical Job Roles: Biochemist, Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst.

Career Support, Employment & Industry Connections:

Career Services: Students can access the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) and College of Agriculture Career Services for internships, full-time positions, career guidance, and employer opportunities. The department also maintains current job openings on myCCO specifically from companies interested in hiring biochemistry students.
Research Experience: Biochemistry majors are required to complete at least one year of undergraduate research, with the department preferring students to undertake two years; students can conduct research for academic credit or in paid laboratory positions.
Employment Rate: More than 90% of College of Agriculture graduates are employed or continuing their education after completing their bachelor's degree.
Salary: Purdue's College of Agriculture reports an average beginning salary of $51,367 for May 2025 Biochemistry graduates.
Industry Employers: Purdue's Biochemistry Department identifies companies that hire its graduates, including Abbott, AbbVie, AstraZeneca, BASF, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cargill, and Cook Medical.
Internship Connections: Current industry internship opportunities listed by the department include Abbott, AbbVie, Archer Daniels Midland, and AstraZeneca, alongside research opportunities with government agencies and universities.
Professional Preparation: Biochemistry graduates can apply their molecular-science training to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, medical-laboratory, government, and research careers.
Accreditation Value: Purdue's official Biochemistry Department materials state that the undergraduate program is ASBMB-accredited, providing external recognition of its biochemistry and molecular biology curriculum.
Graduation Outcomes: Purdue reports that approximately half of its biochemistry bachelor's graduates continue to graduate or professional school, while the other half enter biochemistry-related industry careers.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S., students can continue into medical, veterinary, dental, law, master's, or Ph.D. programs, depending on their career goals. Purdue's Department of Biochemistry also offers a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with research areas including cancer biology, drug discovery, bioinformatics and computational genetics, proteomics/mass spectrometry, RNA biology, and structural and chemical biology. Students interested in research can also complete Purdue's Graduate Certificate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology during their final undergraduate year; students who subsequently enter Purdue's Ph.D. program may begin as second-year students.