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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of Michigan Ann ArborThe Biomolecular Science major at the University of Michigan gives students a strong understanding of how chemistry and biology come together to explain living systems. It is a great fit for students interested in medicine, biomedical science, health-related fields, research, or other careers where a solid scientific foundation is valuable.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through introductory courses such as BIOLOGY 171, BIOLOGY 172 and BIOLOGY 173, while also beginning chemistry with CHEM 130 and CHEM 125/126. Mathematics courses such as MATH 115 and MATH 116, together with physics prerequisites, help students develop the quantitative skills needed for more advanced study.
Year 2: Students progress into the major's core chemistry sequence with CHEM 210/211, CHEM 215 and CHEM 230 or CHEM 260. Alongside chemistry, students continue developing their knowledge of mathematics, statistics and physics, creating a strong foundation for understanding biological processes at the molecular level.
Year 3: Students move into more advanced biomolecular study through courses such as CHEM 351, Fundamentals of Biochemistry, with the option of taking MCDB 310 or BIOLCHEM 415 as an alternative. Students also begin exploring advanced electives in areas such as molecular and cellular biology, biophysics, microbiology, pharmacology and chemistry.
Year 4: In the final year, students complete CHEM 352 or CHEM 353 and deepen their specialization through advanced electives, including courses such as BIOLCHEM 451 or 452, BIOLOGY 305, BIOPHYS 420 or 421, and selected 400-level chemistry and molecular biology courses. At least one of the required electives must be at the 400 level, giving students the opportunity to develop more specialized knowledge in their chosen area.
Focus Areas
Biomolecular science, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, biophysics, microbiology, pharmacology, biological chemistry, biomedical science, health sciences, quantitative science, molecular processes, scientific research
Learning Outcomes
Students develop a strong understanding of the chemical and biological principles behind living systems, strengthen their quantitative and analytical abilities through chemistry, mathematics and physics, explore biochemical and molecular processes, and learn to connect concepts across different areas of the biological and chemical sciences. The program also provides the scientific foundation needed for further study in health, biomedical and related professional fields.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Biomolecular Science major provides a strong academic foundation for students considering medicine, health sciences, biomedical research and postgraduate study. It can also support pathways into fields such as education, science communication, science policy, business and law; the University of Michigan does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this major on its official program page. Students interested in Honors can complete additional upper-level chemistry study, independent research through CHEM 398, and an undergraduate thesis.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
The Biomolecular Science major is offered through the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, giving students access to the resources and broader academic environment of one of the leading public research universities in the United States. LSA reports that 96% of its graduates are employed or continue into graduate or professional education, while 77% have internship experience, highlighting the college's strong focus on career preparation and practical experience.
The Biomolecular Science major at the University of Michigan gives students opportunities to turn classroom knowledge into practical experience through laboratory courses, scientific research and hands-on work with modern research equipment. Students can explore areas such as biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and related biological sciences while working with faculty researchers and using specialized laboratory facilities. Those interested in research can also pursue undergraduate research for academic credit or take part in dedicated summer research opportunities, giving them valuable experience for graduate school, healthcare and biomedical careers.
Students can gain practical experience through a range of opportunities and resources:
Undergraduate research: Students can join research projects within the Department of Chemistry and earn academic credit for their research. Research opportunities allow students to work directly with faculty and gain experience in scientific investigation.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP): Eligible first-, second- and third-year Biomolecular Science students can participate in a summer research placement within Chemistry Department laboratories. The program involves at least 10 weeks of full-time research experience.
Honors research and thesis: Students pursuing Honors can complete undergraduate research through CHEM 398 or CHEM 399 over at least two terms and develop an Honors thesis based on their research.
Chemistry teaching laboratories: Students gain practical laboratory experience in dedicated facilities covering areas such as biochemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and advanced synthesis.
Laboratory equipment: Practical coursework can involve scientific instruments and tools such as FTIR instruments, UV-Vis spectrometers, pH meters, analytical balances, hotplate stirrers and thin-layer chromatography equipment.
Biomolecular research facilities: Students have access to specialized research resources across LSA, including the BioNMR Core, Single Molecule Analysis in Real-Time Center, MCDB Imaging Core, Chemistry NMR Service, Mass Spectrometry and X-Ray Crystallography facilities.
Molecular and biological research: Students can explore research areas including biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology and plant molecular biology, depending on their research interests.
Faculty research mentorship: Undergraduate research provides opportunities to work alongside faculty researchers, helping students develop practical research skills and understand how scientific investigations are conducted in a professional research environment.
Digital tools and software: The official program information does not identify a specific software package as a required tool for the Biomolecular Science major. The practical emphasis is primarily on laboratory experimentation, scientific instrumentation and research.
Group projects: The official program information does not identify a mandatory group-project component for the major, so no specific group-project requirement is claimed.
Field trips: The official Biomolecular Science and Chemistry information does not identify a dedicated field-trip component for the major.
The Biomolecular Science major gives students a strong scientific foundation that can open doors to medicine, biomedical and health sciences, research, and other science-related careers. It is also flexible enough to support pathways into areas such as education, science policy, business and law, with roles such as Research Assistant, Clinical Research Assistant, Healthcare Coordinator and Science Policy Assistant being potential career directions.
Students can strengthen their career prospects through the following opportunities and support:
LSA Opportunity Hub: Students can access career coaching, résumé and cover-letter guidance, interview preparation, networking support, career fairs, internship and job opportunities, graduate-school resources and internship funding. LSA Engage also connects students with internships, jobs, research opportunities and volunteering.
Employment outcomes: LSA reports that 96% of graduates are employed or continue into graduate or professional education, while 77% of LSA students have internship experience. For the 2025 graduating cohort, more than 78% accepted a job offer or continued their education in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Salary information: The University of Michigan reports an average annual salary of $56,626 for full-time LSA employment in its reported First Destination Profile. This is an LSA-wide figure rather than a Biomolecular Science-specific salary, so actual earnings can vary depending on the role, industry, experience and further education.
Healthcare and research opportunities: Healthcare and research are among the employment areas represented in LSA graduate outcomes. Recent LSA graduates have joined organizations such as Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan, Epic, Trinity Health and the National Institutes of Health.
University–industry connections: The LSA Opportunity Hub works with employers to provide recruiting, internship and experiential-learning opportunities. Its employer network includes organizations such as Michigan Medicine, Amazon/AWS, Epic, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte and Trinity Health. These are wider LSA connections and are not guaranteed placements for Biomolecular Science students.
Alumni network: Students can benefit from LSA's network of more than 200,000 living alumni worldwide, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities that can help them build professional relationships and explore career options.
Long-term value: The Biomolecular Science major is not presented by the University of Michigan as a professionally accredited degree. Its long-term value comes from its broad foundation in biology and chemistry, which can prepare students for postgraduate study and professional pathways in biomedical and health sciences, medicine and related fields.
Research and Honors pathway: High-achieving students can pursue the Honors major by meeting the required GPA standards, completing undergraduate research over at least two terms and producing an Honors thesis. This can be particularly valuable for students planning research-focused postgraduate study.
Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biomolecular Science degree, students can continue into postgraduate or professional education, particularly in biomedical sciences, health sciences, medicine and related research areas. The University of Michigan specifically identifies the major as suitable for students considering postgraduate study in Biomedical or Health Sciences, while students aiming specifically for graduate study or industrial careers in biochemistry may find the university's Biochemistry major more appropriate.
Applicants must submit a high school transcript, School Report through the Common Application, and one Teacher Evaluation from a core academic teacher or another non-relative who can comment directly on their academic aptitude, potential, and classroom performance.
SAT or ACT scores are optional and may be submitted if available and if the applicant wishes them to be considered.
The major also requires a minimum 2.0 major GPA, and the department strongly recommends at least a Cā in prerequisite chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology courses. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Science applicants are generally assessed on the rigour of their Mathematics and laboratory-science coursework. Relevant preparation may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus or Statistics, depending on the intended field. Research, science fairs, Olympiads, laboratory exposure, independent investigation and environmental or community-science projects can demonstrate scientific curiosity and analytical thinking.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 20ā30%. Michigan values leadership, sustained involvement, service, initiative and evidence of potential contribution to the university community. Activities aligned with the selected school or college may be helpful, particularly for competitive areas such as Engineering, Business, Nursing and the Arts.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.MedicineResearch AssistantClinical Research AssistantBiomedical ResearcherScience EducatorScience JournalistScience Policy AnalystHealthcare ProfessionalHealthcare CoordinatorBusiness AnalystLife Sciences ConsultantLegal Professional 
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