Chemistry Major, B.S.–Biochemistry Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Program Overview

The Chemistry Major, B.S.–Biochemistry Track at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is designed for students who want to understand chemistry in the context of living systems, with a focused specialization in biochemistry and chemical biology. Across 120 credits, students build a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics before progressing into subjects such as biochemistry, macromolecular structure, metabolism, cellular regulation and advanced biochemical laboratory techniques.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin by developing their scientific and academic foundations through courses such as CHEM 101 & 101L – General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I, BIOL 101 & 101L – Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory, and MATH 231 – Calculus of Functions of One Variable I. The curriculum also introduces students to data literacy, scientific communication and the cellular perspective through BIOL 103 – How Cells Function.

Second Year: The program moves into more specialized chemistry and biological sciences, with students studying CHEM 241 – Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization, CHEM 261 – Introduction to Organic Chemistry I, and CHEM 262 – Introduction to Organic Chemistry II, supported by laboratory work. Students also develop their understanding of molecular biology through BIOL 220 – Molecular Genetics, while completing calculus, differential equations and introductory physics requirements.

Third Year: Students begin the advanced biochemistry component with CHEM 433 – Introduction to Biochemistry for Majors, CHEM 431 – Macromolecular Structure and Metabolism, and CHEM 481 – Physical Chemistry I. This stage connects chemical principles with biological molecules and metabolic processes while adding advanced laboratory experience through CHEM 481L – Physical Chemistry Laboratory I or the approved laboratory alternative.

Fourth Year: The final stage concentrates on advanced biochemical systems and experimental methods through CHEM 432 – Metabolic Chemistry and Cellular Regulatory Networks, CHEM 482 – Physical Chemistry II, and CHEM 530L – Laboratory Techniques for Biochemistry. Students can also use remaining electives to tailor their studies and may pursue undergraduate research, including faculty-mentored work through CHEM 395, depending on their academic plan.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, chemical biology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, macromolecular structure, metabolism, cellular regulatory networks, molecular genetics, biochemical laboratory techniques

Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to develop a strong understanding of fundamental chemical principles, solve chemical problems using analytical skills, and apply critical and creative thinking while conducting research with faculty mentorship.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The current UNC catalog does not state a separate professional accreditation for the B.S.–Biochemistry Track on the program page, so an accreditation claim should not be added to the database unless UNC provides current documentation specifically confirming it. The department does, however, provide structured professional-chemistry training through substantial chemistry, mathematics, physics and laboratory coursework.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UNC's official career data provides historical chemistry-major employment information rather than a current, track-specific employment rate for the Biochemistry Track. In UNC's Winter 2022 NACE salary survey, chemistry bachelor's graduates represented eight salary responses, with a mean salary of $66,156, a median of $66,125, and a 25th–75th percentile range of $56,400–$74,500; these figures are for chemistry majors generally and should not be interpreted as a current salary guarantee for this specific track.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Chemistry B.S.–Biochemistry Track gives students opportunities to move beyond classroom theory into laboratory investigation and faculty-mentored research. The curriculum includes dedicated laboratory courses such as CHEM 241L – Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds, CHEM 262L – Laboratory in Organic Chemistry, CHEM 481L – Physical Chemistry Laboratory I, and CHEM 530L – Laboratory Techniques for Biochemistry. UNC also reports that more than 80 chemistry undergraduates participate in research projects each year, giving students opportunities to work with research instrumentation and techniques that are more advanced than those normally encountered in standard laboratory courses.

Students can connect directly with faculty researchers to identify research opportunities and register for CHEM 395 – Research in Chemistry for Undergraduates; the biochemistry track allows CHEM 395/CHEM 396 research credit within its advanced-elective limitations. Students interested in teaching can also undertake laboratory teaching assistantships, while students pursuing honors undertake substantial faculty-supervised research leading toward an honors thesis.

These opportunities give students practical exposure to biochemical experimentation, analytical characterization and research-based problem solving:

CHEM 241L: Laboratory work in the separation and analytical characterization of organic and biological compounds.
CHEM 262L: Laboratory in Organic Chemistry, providing practical experience alongside the organic chemistry sequence.
CHEM 481L: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I, with an alternative physical chemistry laboratory pathway available through the curriculum.
CHEM 530L: Laboratory Techniques for Biochemistry, giving students dedicated practical training in biochemical laboratory methods.
CHEM 395: Faculty-mentored undergraduate research; students identify a research opportunity with a faculty researcher and register for research credit.
Undergraduate research: More than 80 chemistry students participate in research projects each year, using sophisticated instrumentation and research techniques.
Research support: UNC Chemistry provides undergraduate research funding through awards and funds including the J. Thurman Freeze Scholarship, E.C. Markham Summer Research Fund, Matthew Neely Jackson Undergraduate Research Award and other faculty-mentored research funds.
Chemistry research facilities: Departmental core facilities include Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray Diffraction, Electronics, Chapel Hill Analytical and Nanofabrication Lab (CHANL), and Scientific Glass facilities.
Laboratory teaching experience: Undergraduate students can serve as laboratory teaching assistants for entry-level undergraduate laboratory courses.
Honors research: Students pursuing Chemistry Honors or Highest Honors complete substantial faculty-supervised laboratory research as part of their honors thesis pathway.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemistry B.S.–Biochemistry Track provides a foundation for students interested in laboratory science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, healthcare-related fields and further scientific study. Its combination of chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, biochemical coursework and laboratory research can support progression into scientific employment as well as graduate and professional education.

Typical career directions include biochemist, laboratory scientist, analytical chemist, research technician, pharmaceutical scientist, quality-control analyst, biotechnology research associate, clinical research assistant, chemical laboratory technician, scientific sales specialist, science educator.

The university provides several resources and experiences that can support students as they move toward employment or further study:

University Career Services: UNC's career service structure provides individual career advising, self-assessment resources, internship and employment-search assistance, job-search workshops, on-campus interviewing, employer connections and online internship and job listings.
Handshake and employer connections: UNC Career Services uses Handshake and campus recruitment activities to connect students with internships and employment opportunities.
Chemistry research experience: More than 80 chemistry undergraduates participate in research each year, providing an opportunity to develop scientific inquiry, independence, persistence, use of chemical literature and research skills.
Employment and salary information: UNC's Winter 2022 NACE salary survey reported a mean salary of $66,156 for chemistry bachelor's graduates represented in the survey, with a median of $66,125 and eight salary responses. These are historical chemistry-major figures, not a current Biochemistry Track-specific outcome.
Industry exposure: UNC Career Services has documented employer recruitment involving organizations such as Ferring Pharmaceuticals for Scientist, Chemistry roles and Triangle Insights Group for life-science strategy internships. These examples demonstrate employer engagement with UNC students, although they are not presented by UNC as exclusive partnerships for this specific degree.
Research-to-industry links: UNC Chemistry faculty research has documented connections with pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations, including work involving companies such as Eli Lilly and Bristol Myers Squibb in faculty research and professional activities.
Teaching pathway: Through the UNC–BEST minor, science majors can combine their science degree with teacher-licensure coursework and pursue North Carolina high-school science teacher licensure within four years.
Further research preparation: Students can pursue Chemistry Honors or Highest Honors through faculty-supervised research and an honors thesis, strengthening preparation for graduate-level scientific study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S.–Biochemistry Track, students can continue into graduate-level study in chemistry or related scientific fields. UNC's Chemistry Department itself lists M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry among its graduate programs, while the undergraduate biochemistry foundation can also support progression toward appropriate health-professional or allied-science programs depending on the student's prerequisites and career goals.