Biochemistry, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Saint Louis University

Program Overview

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students who want to understand how chemistry operates within the life sciences, with preparation for careers in biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology as well as professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and law. The program combines rigorous chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics coursework with laboratory training, undergraduate research and close faculty mentoring, giving students opportunities to develop both scientific knowledge and practical research skills.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish a strong scientific foundation through General Chemistry 1 and 2, Calculus I and II, and Principles of Biology I and II. Courses such as General Chemistry 1 for Majors and General Chemistry 2 for Majors are paired with laboratory work, while the biology sequence introduces the principles of life sciences and complements the chemistry-focused curriculum.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into more specialized scientific study through Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Analytical Chemistry 1, and University Physics I and II with their laboratory components. Students develop a deeper understanding of chemical reactions, analytical methods and physical principles while gaining hands-on laboratory experience.

Third Year: Students progress into advanced biochemistry and chemistry through Biochemistry 1 and 2, Physical Chemistry 1 and 2, Physical Chemistry Laboratory, The Chemical Literature and Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. This stage strengthens students' ability to connect chemical principles with biological systems while developing research, quantitative analysis and scientific communication skills.

Fourth Year: The final year combines Inorganic Chemistry, Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, a biological elective and an upper-level chemistry elective, alongside general electives. Students complete multiple semesters of undergraduate research and finish with an undergraduate thesis, providing an opportunity to demonstrate independent research capability.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biological sciences, laboratory research, quantitative analysis, scientific communication

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are expected to demonstrate foundational knowledge of organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry together with advanced knowledge of biochemistry; perform basic and advanced biochemistry laboratory techniques safely; collect, interpret and analyze quantitative data; communicate scientific findings through written and oral formats; and design and conduct independent research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) since 2004. The program's ACS certification reinforces its emphasis on a rigorous chemistry curriculum, laboratory competence, quantitative analysis, scientific communication and independent research.

Reputation / Employability

SLU's official undergraduate outcomes data provides university-wide rather than biochemistry-specific employment information. For 2024–2025 graduates, 92% of alumni respondents were employed, enrolled in graduate or professional school, participating in a year of service, serving in the military, or not seeking employment within six months of graduation, while the average salary among full-time employed alumni respondents was $65,206. The university's four-year undergraduate outcomes dataset also identifies health care, aerospace and higher education among the leading employment industries, with BJC Health System, The Boeing Company, Mercy, SSM Health and Saint Louis University among the top full-time employers across the survey period.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in SLU's Biochemistry B.S. can gain practical experience through undergraduate research conducted under the mentorship of full-time faculty, laboratory work and opportunities to serve as undergraduate laboratory assistants, with selected students potentially receiving a stipend. The program also provides access to specialized equipment and computers, while students can present research at professional meetings and scientific conferences, including regional and national American Chemical Society meetings.

The program's practical and research environment includes:

Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (CHEM 3870): Students complete multiple semesters of undergraduate research, culminating in an undergraduate thesis.
Faculty-mentored research: Biochemistry majors can work on research projects with full-time faculty members, developing scientific communication and independent research skills.
Laboratory assistant opportunities: Selected undergraduates may work as assistants in undergraduate laboratories and may receive a stipend.
Advanced laboratory training: The curriculum includes General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry laboratory courses, providing progressive hands-on experience.
Biochemistry and molecular biology research equipment: SLU's research facilities include an Agilent 1100 HPLC, AKTA Pure FPLC, thermal cyclers, QuantStudio5 real-time PCR machines, centrifuges and a lyophilizer.
Imaging and spectroscopy: Research facilities include a Synergy H1 spectrophotometer/fluorometer, iBRIGHT protein imaging systems, BioTek Lionheart FX automated microscope and Leica SP8 Confocal Microscope.
Sample storage and laboratory infrastructure: Facilities include liquid-nitrogen storage, large -80°C community storage, walk-in cold rooms, autoclaves and laboratory washers/dryers.
Sinquefield Science and Engineering Center: The 90,000-square-foot facility includes teaching laboratories supporting chemistry and biology, 10,000 square feet of research space, collaboration areas and a research-computing and data-visualization support center.
Professional presentations: Students have opportunities to present talks and posters at regional and national scientific conferences, including American Chemical Society meetings.
Internship opportunities: SLU specifically identifies internship and career opportunities as part of the benefits of its biochemistry program.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Biochemistry B.S. can pursue roles across biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, drug discovery and development, chemical research, environmental research and public health, while the degree also provides preparation for professional schools. SLU specifically identifies graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, as well as professional study in medicine, law, pharmacy and dentistry, as possible next steps.

Typical career directions include: biochemist/research scientist, pharmaceutical research scientist, biotechnology professional, drug discovery or development professional.

Students can build toward these opportunities through several SLU resources and outcomes:

Career Services: SLU Career Services provides career counseling and professional-development support and facilitates career-related interactions for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni.
Employer connections: Career Services enables employers to connect with students through Handshake, career fairs, information tables, recruiting events and on-campus interviews.
Employment outcomes: SLU reports that 92% of 2024–2025 alumni respondents were employed, pursuing further education, participating in service, serving in the military or not seeking employment within six months of graduation. The reported average salary for full-time employed alumni respondents was $65,206. These figures are university-wide and are not specific to Biochemistry B.S. graduates.
Industry connections: SLU's School of Science and Engineering states that it maintains relationships with industry leaders for internships, co-op opportunities, continuing education and collaborative research.
Named corporate relationships: SLU's official industry-partner information includes the Boeing Learning Together Program, while the university also lists corporate education partnerships with organizations including BJC Healthcare, Boeing, Mercy, SSM Health and World Wide Technology. These are university-level relationships and should not be interpreted as Biochemistry-specific placements.
Research and professional development: Biochemistry students can conduct faculty-mentored research, complete an undergraduate thesis and present their work at scientific meetings, providing experience relevant to research-oriented employment and postgraduate study.
Accreditation value: Continuous ACS certification since 2004 provides a documented professional alignment for the B.S. program and supports its emphasis on chemistry knowledge, laboratory competence and research.
Graduation and continuation: SLU reports that 29% of continuing-education responses in its 2021–2024 undergraduate outcomes survey identified SLU as the leading post-bachelor institution. This is university-wide data rather than a Biochemistry-specific progression rate.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology or toxicology, or pursue professional education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or law. SLU also offers a Biochemistry, B.S. to Chemical Biology, M.S. accelerated program, providing a defined pathway from the undergraduate biochemistry degree into graduate-level chemical biology study.