Biochemistry Degree

Biochemistry focuses on the fundamental principles of science to investigate the chemical structure and makeup of life on earth. Biochemistry provides the foundation for the growing field of biotechnology that has produced such breakthroughs as artificial lymph nodes, artificial kidneys that can perform dialysis and a spit test that can detect if a patient has oral cancer.

What Kind of Course Curriculum Does a Biochemistry Degree Require?

A biochemistry degree program made up of speeches and lab work that provides students with instruction in the different types of chemistry, research methods and lab equipment operation. The types of courses students may be required to take could include:

  • Biochemistry- Students will learn the basic of their major and study amino acids, proteins, polymer, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolic pathways. Biochemistry course may also include the study of molecular biology, immunochemistry, neurochemistry, and bioinorganic, bioorganic and biophysical chemistry.

  • Biology- Depending on the program, some biochemistry degrees may require students to take more biology classes than other chemistry programs. Students with cover such topics as cell biology, genetics, genomic, microbiology, molecular cell biology, and need to take several biology labs as part of their course study.

  • Calculus- Some programs may not require students to take as many math classes as is required with other chemistry degrees. Student should expect to take at least Calculus I and II as part of their degree program.

  • General Chemistry- General chemistry covers the topics of molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, periodic trends, acids and bases, and all other basic theories need understand the field. General chemistry courses will provide you with the foundation necessary to understand more advanced chemistry subjects you will study later on during your education.


  • Physiology- Students will learn basic anatomy of the human body, cell structure, the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system and the rest of the inner workings of the human body.

What Kind of Course Curriculum Does a Graduate Biochemistry Degree Require?

A master’s degree in biochemistry places a heavy focus on research, and students who pursue a graduate degree in biochemistry generally go on to obtain their PhD. Graduate students will generally tailor their curriculum directly to their area of study, but most graduate programs include course that cover the topics of:

  • Molecular genetics
  • Protein engineering
  • Advanced biochemistry
  • Molecular cell biology
  • Biological photochemistry
  • Metabolic engineering

What are the Prospects for Graduates with a Biochemistry Degree?

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment opportunities for biochemists should increase 37 percent between 2008 and 2018. Individuals who graduate with a doctorate in biochemistry have the best chance of finding employment in research fields and enjoy substantial career advancement. The average annual salary for biochemists of all degrees levels was $86,580 as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A 2011 report from Georgetown University rank biochemistry as one of the top 10 highest paying degrees for graduate entering the workforce.

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