B.S. Degree in Chemistry - Biochemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Kentucky

Program Overview

The B.S. in Chemistry with Biochemistry emphasis at the University of Kentucky is a multidisciplinary program designed for students interested in professional health fields such as medicine and dentistry, careers as chemists or biochemists, or graduate study in chemistry and biochemistry. Compared with the traditional chemistry track, it includes more biology and develops a deeper understanding of macromolecules and polymers while maintaining a strong foundation in chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students begin by building their scientific foundation through CHE 105 General College Chemistry I, CHE 111 General Chemistry I Laboratory, and MA 113 Calculus I, before progressing to CHE 107 General College Chemistry II, BIO 148 Introductory Biology I, and BIO 155 Biological Research Skills Lab. This year combines chemistry and biology with mathematics, laboratory work and communication skills, giving students the preparation needed for the more advanced science courses ahead.

Sophomore Year: The second year moves into more specialized scientific study with CHE 230 Organic Chemistry I, CHE 226 Analytical Chemistry, and CHE 232 Organic Chemistry II, supported by PHY 231/232 General University Physics and their laboratory courses. Students also complete MA 213 Calculus III, BIO 152 Introductory Biology II, and STA 210 Making Sense of Uncertainty: An Introduction to Statistical Reasoning, strengthening their quantitative and analytical skills.

Junior Year: Students enter the core biochemistry stage through CHE 550 Biological Chemistry I, CHE 552 Biological Chemistry II, and CHE 454 Biological Chemistry Laboratory, while studying areas such as physical chemistry, instrumental analysis and inorganic chemistry. They also choose advanced biology through courses such as BIO 304 Principles of Genetics, BIO 308 General Microbiology, or BIO 315 Introduction to Cell Biology, allowing them to connect chemical principles with biological processes.

Senior Year: The final year emphasizes advanced laboratory and scientific communication skills through CHE 412 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, CHE 441 Physical Chemistry Laboratory, WRD 310 Writing in the Natural Sciences, and Major Field Options. Students complete electives and remaining College requirements while refining their scientific knowledge and preparing for professional employment, graduate study or health-related pathways.

Focus areas

Biochemistry, biological chemistry, macromolecules, polymers, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, instrumental analysis and laboratory research.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to analyze and solve scientific problems, apply mathematics to scientific questions, collaborate with other scientists, communicate technical information, conduct laboratory work and develop organized approaches to scientific investigation.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. Chemistry Biochemistry Option is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The university's curriculum documentation also confirms that the Biochemistry and Traditional B.S. options are ACS-certified, providing professional alignment with established chemistry education standards.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Kentucky's Chemistry Department states that its graduates are in demand across pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, polymers and modern materials, manufacturing, environmental monitoring and testing, education, public policy, law, business and medicine. The department also highlights alumni who have progressed into research, university teaching and industry careers, including a B.S. Biochemistry graduate who moved into quality-control chemistry at Murty Pharmaceuticals.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Biochemistry option have opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into laboratory investigation and original research. The Chemistry Department provides undergraduate research through paid positions, academic credit through CHE 395, or volunteer research, while the Jacobs Science Building provides dedicated chemistry and biochemistry laboratories and advanced instrumentation in a collaborative active-learning environment.

The program's practical learning environment includes:

Undergraduate research: Students can participate in faculty-led research through paid undergraduate positions, volunteer research or academic credit through CHE 395.
Biological research training: BIO 155 Biological Research Skills Lab is part of the premajor curriculum, giving students an early introduction to biological research skills.
Biochemistry laboratories: The Jacobs Science Building includes a dedicated upper-level biochemistry laboratory, alongside organic, synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry and physical chemistry/instrumental analysis laboratories.
Advanced instrumentation: Students learn in an environment supported by an NMR and Shared Instrumentation Suite, while the department also maintains EPR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and other research facilities.
Analytical techniques: The curriculum includes CHE 422 Instrumental Analysis or CHE 532 Spectrometric Identification of Organic Molecules, providing exposure to advanced chemical analysis.
Hands-on chemistry laboratories: Students complete laboratory components in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biological chemistry, inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry, creating a strong practical progression throughout the degree.
Active-learning classrooms: The Jacobs Science Building contains technology-enabled active-learning classrooms designed to support collaborative work, including small-group activities.
Research presentation: Students conducting research through CHE 395 can participate in the department's Regional Undergraduate Poster Competition, presenting their work and networking with other undergraduate researchers.
Learning support: The General Chemistry Learning Center provides drop-in assistance from teaching assistants, while the Biology Learning Center supports students taking biology courses required for the major.
Science research facilities: Department facilities include the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Facility, Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Facility and Glassblowing Services; university-wide resources include the Mass Spectrometry Facility, Light Microscopy Core, Environmental Research Training Laboratories and Science & Engineering Library.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biochemistry option is designed to keep several pathways open after graduation, including professional health fields, chemistry and biochemistry careers, and graduate study. The department specifically identifies medicine, dentistry, graduate school, research, product development and quality control among the directions available to chemistry graduates.

Typical career directions include research chemist, analytical chemist, product development chemist and quality control chemist.

Students can build toward these outcomes through:

Career development: The Chemistry Department directs students to the UK Career Center for additional information about career opportunities, while the department's research environment allows students to build laboratory, analytical, communication and collaborative skills relevant to scientific careers.
Career fields: The department identifies opportunities across pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, polymers and modern materials, manufacturing, environmental monitoring and testing, education, public policy, law, business and medicine.
Alumni career examples: UK Chemistry alumni have progressed into roles including university professor, environmental engineering educator, pharmaceutical quality-control chemist and scientific research positions.
Industry exposure: A documented B.S. Biochemistry graduate, Alyson Ackerman, joined Murty Pharmaceuticals as a QC chemist, where her work included testing raw materials and finished products and using HPLC, UV-vis, FT-IR and Laser Diffraction Particle Sizing.
Employment and salary information: The university's Chemistry academic page reports a $87,180 median annual salary in 2023 for chemists and materials scientists, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data; this is an occupation-level figure and not a guaranteed salary for UK graduates.
Professional accreditation value: ACS certification of the Biochemistry option provides a recognized professional framework for chemistry education and supports students pursuing chemistry-related employment or further professional and graduate study.
Research and networking: Undergraduate researchers can present at the department's Regional Undergraduate Poster Competition, where the event specifically provides an opportunity to share research and network with other undergraduate researchers.
Further opportunities: The department reports that chemistry graduates work across academia, government and industry, with applications in environmental sciences, pharmaceuticals, medicine, materials, energy, aerospace, law and education.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry or closely related disciplines. The University of Kentucky Chemistry Department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry, while the university also provides graduate study in biochemistry and related biomedical sciences; the B.S. curriculum is specifically designed for students considering graduate or professional school.