Biochemistry major

Biochemistry: courses, careers, and where to study

Biochemistry studies the chemistry of living systems, bridging biology and chemistry for students aiming at research, biotech, pharmaceutical, or medical and graduate pathways.

A Biochemistry major sits between biology and chemistry, covering the molecular basis of life: proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, metabolism, and the regulation of cellular processes. Programs require a full general and organic chemistry sequence, biology, physics, calculus, and often physical chemistry and molecular biology, paired with extensive laboratory work in techniques such as protein purification, enzyme kinetics, spectroscopy, and molecular cloning. The degree is most often a bachelor's, and many programs culminate in a senior research thesis.

Biochemistry graduates work in research labs, biotechnology, pharmaceutical R&D, and clinical and diagnostic settings, and the major is a common feeder into PhD programs and medical school. Independent research roles in this field typically require a graduate degree: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a doctoral degree as the typical entry-level education for biochemists and biophysicists, and reports a 2024 median wage of $103,650 for that occupation, with projected employment growth of 5.8% from 2024 to 2034.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Biochemistry maps to CIP 26.0202, Biochemistry, within the BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES family. The official definition:

A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • General, organic, and physical chemistry
  • Cellular and molecular biology
  • Protein structure, enzymes, and enzyme kinetics
  • Metabolism and metabolic regulation
  • Nucleic acids, genetics, and gene expression
  • Lab techniques (protein purification, spectroscopy, chromatography, molecular cloning)
  • Calculus, physics, and biostatistics
  • Senior research thesis

Typical careers

Typical salary range: Informational only. BLS reports a 2024 median wage of $103,650 for biochemists and biophysicists; independent research roles in this occupation typically require a doctoral degree.Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Related occupations

Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Biochemistry. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.

Before you commit to a Biochemistry major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Biochemistry program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Biochemistry department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Most Biochemistry programs are covered by their institution's regional accreditation; specialized programmatic accreditation is less common in this field. Confirm any field-specific accreditation or licensure that matters for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Biochemistrycareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Biochemistry program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Biochemistry programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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Related majors

How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.