B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida Atlantic University

Program Overview

Florida Atlantic University’s B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration is designed for students interested in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, pharmacology and research-oriented health careers, combining chemistry with biological sciences, physics, mathematics and advanced biochemical study. Students build a strong scientific foundation and can explore areas such as structural biochemistry, drug design, bioanalytical instrumentation, genetics and cell biology while gaining opportunities for research and internships.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through General Chemistry 1 (CHM 2045), General Chemistry 1 Lab (CHM 2045L), General Chemistry 2 (CHM 2046) and General Chemistry 2 Lab (CHM 2046L). They also begin the biological side of the concentration with Biological Principles (BSC 1010) and Biological Principles Lab (BSC 1010L), alongside mathematics and physics requirements.

Year 2: The programme progresses into Organic Chemistry 1 (CHM 2210), Organic Chemistry 2 (CHM 2211) and Organic Chemistry Lab (CHM 2211L), giving students the chemical foundation needed for advanced biochemical study. Students also encounter Biochemistry 1 (BCH 3033), which covers biomolecules, enzyme kinetics, biological membranes, transport, replication, transcription and translation.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced molecular science through Biochemistry 2 (BCH 3034), Biochemistry Lab (BCH 3103L) and Physical Chemistry 1 (CHM 3410) with its laboratory component. They also study Chemical Literature (CHM 3060) and can begin specializing through options such as Structural Biochemistry (CHM 4350), Introduction to Drug Design (CHM 4273) or Bioanalytical Instrumentation and Lab (CHM 4139/4139L).

Year 4: The final stage develops advanced biochemical and interdisciplinary skills through Advanced Biochemistry (BCH 4035) and additional study in areas such as Genetics (PCB 3063), Cell Biology (PCB 3023) or General Microbiology and Lab (MCB 3020/3020L). Students can also complete Directed Independent Study (CHM 4905), a Science Internship (IDS 3941) or the CMBB Research Seminar (BSC 4932), giving the degree a strong research and professional-development focus.

Focus areas: Biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, pharmacology, biological chemistry, physical chemistry, drug design, bioanalytical science, genetics, cell biology and pharmaceutical science.

Learning outcomes: Students develop knowledge of biochemical and chemical principles, scientific methodology, experimental design, data interpretation and laboratory investigation, with the ability to analyze biological materials and apply chemical techniques to biochemical problems.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The department also states that ACS-certified chemistry training can provide advantages for job placement and graduate-school admission; the specific biochemistry concentration is presented separately from the ACS-approved B.S. track.

Reputation (employability/research): Florida Atlantic University is an R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production institution and was one of 21 institutions nationally to receive both the R1 and Opportunity College & University designations in the 2025 Carnegie Classification. FAU also reports that 70% of its 2024 graduates were employed in fall 2024, with an average starting salary of $56,925 across graduates; these are university-wide figures rather than biochemistry-specific outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the biochemistry concentration can move beyond classroom theory through Directed Independent Research, where they work alongside faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in chemistry and biochemistry laboratories. FAU also provides access to extensive research instrumentation, including NMR spectrometers, mass spectrometers, chromatography systems, Raman and FTIR instruments, imaging systems, peptide synthesizers and UV/Vis equipment. The curriculum itself can include a Science Internship, while the College of Science offers funded undergraduate research opportunities such as SURF and support through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry.

Students can gain practical experience through several routes:

Directed Independent Research (CHEM 4916): Work directly with a faculty research group, participate in laboratory meetings and seminars, and gain experience ranging from literature analysis to hands-on instrumentation and laboratory research.
Science Internship (IDS 3941): The biochemistry concentration specifically includes Science Internship as one of its experiential options.
Biochemistry Laboratory (BCH 3103L): Practical work includes protein quantification, separation and identification, enzyme kinetics, ELISA and DNA isolation, together with experimental design and data analysis.
Research instrumentation: Students can work in an environment equipped with 400/500 MHz NMR spectrometers, MALDI-TOF and other mass spectrometers, GC-MS, HPLC, Raman microscopy, FTIR, fluorescence spectroscopy and UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometry.
Bioanalytical Core Facility: Available instrumentation includes MALDI-TOF, ion-trap mass spectrometry, HPLC/UV/mass spectrometry, GC-MS, isothermal titration calorimetry and imaging plate readers.
Drug discovery research: Undergraduate researchers can participate in research involving small-molecule and peptide synthesis, computational modelling, biochemical screening and cell-based testing, with applications in anticancer, antimicrobial and CNS-active compounds.
Funded undergraduate research: FAU offers opportunities including Undergraduate Research Grants and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), a 10-week research experience with funding.
Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate: Advanced undergraduates can complement the degree with a 14-credit certificate covering drug discovery-to-market development, regulatory requirements, pharmacokinetics, formulation and analytical development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The programme is structured for students who want to enter biochemical and life-science careers or continue into advanced study in chemistry, biochemistry and related disciplines. FAU specifically identifies biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics and pharmacology as relevant career areas, while the research-intensive structure also supports students preparing for graduate, medical and other professional programmes.

Typical career directions include Biochemist, Molecular Biologist, Pharmaceutical Researcher and Biomedical Researcher.

Students can strengthen their transition from study to employment through:

Career support: FAU’s Career Center provides personalized career coaching, job and internship assistance, career fairs, networking events and access to alumni career-outcome information.
Employment and salary: FAU reports that 70% of 2024 graduates were employed in fall 2024, while graduates reported an average starting salary of $56,925; these figures cover FAU graduates generally, not this specific concentration.
Industry connections: FAU highlights partnerships with organizations in South Florida and identifies employers and organizations connected with its broader graduate outcomes, including Cleveland Clinic, IBM, Apple, Google and other major organizations. These are university-wide examples rather than biochemistry-specific placement partners.
Research-to-career preparation: The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department states that its research provides training relevant to the high-tech workforce in Southeast Florida, while its drug-discovery research specifically develops skills relevant to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Long-term professional value: Departmental approval by the ACS Committee on Professional Training provides a recognized professional framework for chemistry education, while the biochemistry concentration gives students additional preparation in molecular and biological sciences.
Graduation outcomes: FAU provides institutional employment and salary information and reports that its Career Center supports students from their first year through graduate study and alumni career development.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration, students can pursue graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry and related fields, or progress toward professional education in areas such as medicine and other health professions. FAU itself offers M.S. and Ph.D. programmes in Chemistry, providing a direct route for students who want to continue into advanced research and scientific training.