Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry is designed for students interested in biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical science, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or biotechnology, combining rigorous chemistry training with expanded study in biology and biochemistry. Students develop a strong foundation in organic, physical, inorganic, and analytical chemistry while gaining specialized experience through biological chemistry courses, advanced laboratory work, and research-oriented study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry I or 09-107 Honors Chemistry: Fundamentals, Concepts and Applications, alongside 21-120 Differential and Integral Calculus and 33-121 Physics I for Science Students. Students can also begin research exposure through 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry or 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing in Chemistry, giving them an early introduction to laboratory research at CMU.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into molecular and biological chemistry through 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry, 09-221 Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis, and 03-220 Genetics. Students then progress to 09-220 Modern Organic Chemistry II, 09-222 Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis, and 03-232 Biochemistry I, connecting chemical synthesis and analysis with biological systems.

Third Year: Students develop advanced theoretical and experimental skills through 09-231 Mathematical Methods for Chemists, 09-344 Physical Chemistry (Quantum): Microscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry, and 09-323 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory. The spring semester adds 09-322 Laboratory IV: Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, 09-345 Physical Chemistry (Thermo): Macroscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry, and 09-331 Modern Analytical Instrumentation, strengthening their ability to investigate and characterize molecular systems.

Fourth Year: Students specialize further through 09-518 Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates or 09-519 Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry, together with biological chemistry electives and 09-348 Inorganic Chemistry. Elective choices can include 09-737 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development, 09-530 Chemistry of Gene Expression, 03-442 Molecular Biology, 03-435 Cancer Biology, or 03-344 Experimental Biochemistry, allowing students to tailor their final year toward biomedical, pharmaceutical, molecular, or research interests.

Focus Areas

Biological chemistry, biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, medicinal chemistry and drug development, chemical biology, biomedical science, biotechnology, molecular spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical science.

Learning Outcomes

Quantitative and computational reasoning, molecular-system analysis, interdisciplinary problem-solving, experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis and interpretation, scientific communication, research skills, integration of chemistry with biology, environmental science, materials science, nanotechnology and engineering.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Carnegie Mellon lists Chemistry among its college and department accreditations, providing professional recognition for the chemistry discipline.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Carnegie Mellon University — #58 globally in the QS World University Rankings listed by CMU. This is a university-level ranking, not a specific ranking of the Chemistry/Biological Chemistry program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon combines advanced chemistry and biological chemistry coursework with substantial laboratory experience, including a specialized Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory and a laboratory course focused on the drug discovery process. Students can begin research as early as their first year through 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, progress to 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing, and later undertake faculty-mentored research through 09-445 Undergraduate Research.

Students build practical and research skills through:

Drug-discovery laboratory: The program includes novel laboratory coursework that models the drug discovery process, connecting chemistry and biological chemistry with pharmaceutical research.
Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory: 09-323 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory provides specialized practical training at the interface of chemistry and biological sciences, while 09-322 Laboratory IV: Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics develops advanced experimental skills.
Early research exposure: 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry introduces students to laboratory culture, research practices, safety and hazardous-waste training; 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing then pairs students with a chemistry research group for hands-on exposure.
Faculty-mentored research: Through 09-445 Undergraduate Research, students can work with a faculty research mentor for 3–18 units and complete a formal research paper; sustained research can also contribute toward a biological chemistry elective with prior approval.
Advanced analytical instrumentation: Chemistry students have access to facilities including the Center for Molecular Analysis, NMR Facility, and shared instruments such as DNA/RNA solid-phase synthesizers, surface plasmon resonance and calorimetry systems, photoreactors, EPR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, SAXS, and solar-cell fabrication/testing equipment.
Biological imaging and analysis: The Center for Advanced Biological Imaging Solutions (CABIS) provides access to advanced fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, including confocal microscopy, two-photon imaging, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, TIRF, FRAP and related techniques.
Undergraduate teaching laboratories: Chemistry undergraduates work in dedicated laboratories in Doherty Hall, where foundational courses develop skills in quantitative analysis instrumentation, chromatography, kinetics, thermochemistry, acid-base chemistry and transition-metal chemistry.
Biological sciences research: Students can also engage with Biological Sciences research groups, working closely with faculty and laboratory members on projects using current research techniques and equipment; opportunities include research for credit, independent study and summer research.
Research communication: Students undertaking sustained research can progress toward an Honors Thesis, while the department also provides opportunities to present research and contribute to publications through its undergraduate research pathway.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry connects chemistry with biological sciences and prepares graduates for pathways in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, research, and advanced study. CMU reports that 83% of Chemistry graduates from the Classes of 2023–2025 were employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, with an average salary of $75,845.

Typical career roles: Biochemist, Biotechnology Researcher, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Chemical Research Scientist.

Career development and graduate opportunities include:

Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC): Students receive support with career exploration, professional development, experiential learning, employment assistance, resume and cover-letter development, interview preparation, and job/internship searches.
Handshake recruiting platform: Students can research employers, search and apply for jobs and internships, upload resumes, schedule career-consultant appointments, and participate in employer events, interviews, and career fairs.
STEM Career Fair: CMU's STEM Career Fair specifically connects science, engineering, and computer science students with companies for full-time and summer employment opportunities.
Employment and salary outcomes: For the Chemistry program, CMU reports 83% employed or in graduate school six months after graduation and an average salary of $75,845 for the Classes of 2023–2025. CMU also identifies recent employers including National Institutes of Health, PPG, Boston Children's Hospital, and Emerald Cloud Lab.
Research-to-industry connections: Chemistry students participate in research spanning biological and bioorganic chemistry, biotechnology, materials and nanoscience, catalysis and energy, and environmental chemistry, areas that connect directly with industrial and government research priorities.
Industry partnership — PPG: CMU's PPG Scholar Teams Program pairs undergraduate and graduate researchers in collaborative chemistry projects, with research ranging from wastewater treatment to potential medical treatments.
Industry and technology transfer: CMU's technology-transfer ecosystem gives students opportunities to participate in translational research, learn about patents, and engage with industry, startups, and manufacturers; CMU Chemistry identifies multiple chemistry-related startups emerging from its research ecosystem.
Professional recognition: CMU's official undergraduate Chemistry pages identify the B.S. in Chemistry with a Biological Chemistry Track as a structured, technically focused degree. The university's published program information does not state a separate professional accreditation for this specific bachelor's track, so no additional accreditation claim is made here.
Graduation pathways: CMU Chemistry graduates progress to medical, dental and veterinary schools; Ph.D. and master's programs; and industry positions in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, environmental science and consulting.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Ph.D. and master's programs in chemistry and related scientific fields, while students pursuing healthcare can use CMU's Health Professions Program as part of their preparation for professional schools. CMU Chemistry also offers an Honors B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry, while the department's graduate pathway includes a Ph.D. in Chemistry designed for research careers in academia, industry and beyond.