Biochemistry

Do you want to learn about the chemistry of life? Do you want to be well prepared for medical or dental school, to do graduate work, or to seek employment in industry?

The bachelor of science in biochemistry degree can be applied to many disciplines and professions that include medicine, pharmacology, drug research and development, biotechnology, agricultural research, and genetic engineering. Biochemistry is a core discipline that provides the foundation for nearly all advances in all fields related to health professions, biotechnology, and agriculture. The program offers a combination of biology, chemistry, math, and physics classes that prepare students especially well for successful entry into the work force.

Many of our biochemistry majors are involved in research projects in their areas of interest. Independent research projects with biology, chemistry, or medical school faculty provide students with valuable hands on experience in the laboratory. A large percentage of our students present their research at regional and/or national meetings. Most of our biochemistry majors graduate with a double major: a BS in biochemistry and a BA in chemistry. They are highly employable.

• Department Website
• College Website
• How Do I Apply
• Apply Now

Program Coordinator: Grace Chen (2515 Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building; 252-328-9769; [email protected]) Chemistry Concentration Program Coordinator: Lisa Bennett (416 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9727; [email protected])

The purpose of the Biochemistry, BS program is to: prepare our students with the knowledge and confidence to apply the scientific method in biochemical research; train our students to communicate scientific discoveries in standard scientific formats; educate our students so they understand, and are able to apply, foundational biochemical concepts necessary for graduate education or a career in the biochemical sciences.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

• CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
• CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I


• MATH 1065 - College Algebra or approved general education calculus course

(Students are required to take BIOL and CHEM core courses.)

Biology (15 s.h.)
• BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
• BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
• BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
• BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
• BIOL 4880 - Principles of Biochemistry I
• BIOL 4890 - Principles of Biochemistry II
• BIOL 4891 - Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory
Chemistry (17 s.h.)
• CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
• CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHEM 3250 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis
• CHEM 3251 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
• CHEM 2750 - Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 2753 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 2760 - Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM 2763 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

• MATH 1083 - Introduction to Functions
• MATH 2171 - Calculus I
• MATH 2172 - Calculus II
• MATH 2173 - Calculus III
• PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
• PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
• PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
• PHYS 2360 - University Physics II

(Choose one of the following.)

Biology (22 s.h.)
Required courses - 6 s.h.
• BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
• BIOL 3260 - Cell and Developmental Biology
Electives - 16 s.h.

(Choose from the following.)

• BIOL 2100 - Biotechnology I
• BIOL 2101 - Biotechnology Laboratory I
• BIOL 3110 - Biotechnology II
• BIOL 3220 - Microbiology
• BIOL 3221 - Microbiology Laboratory
• BIOL 3310 - Cellular Physiology
• BIOL 3311 - Cellular Physiology Discussion
• BIOL 3820 - Plant Biotechnology
• BIOL 4030 - Principles of Toxicology
• BIOL 4230 - Concepts in Cell Biology
• BIOL 4260 - Cell Biology
• BIOL 4420 - Microbial Biotechnology
• BIOL 4650 - Biology of Cancer
• BIOL 5870 - Molecular Biology of the Gene
• BIOL 5900 - Biotechniques
• BIOL 5901 - Biotechniques Laboratory
• CHEM 4522 - Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices
• MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
• Research hours
• 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry (BIOL 3504, BIOL 3550; CHEM 4505, CHEM 4506, CHEM 4507, CHEM 4515, CHEM 4516, CHEM 4517)
Chemistry (20 s.h.)
Required courses - 10 s.h.
• CHEM 3950 - Physical Chemistry I
• CHEM 3951 - Physical Chemistry I Laboratory
• CHEM 3960 - Physical Chemistry II
• CHEM 3961 - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory
Electives - 10 s.h.

(Choose from the following.)

• BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
• CHEM 3450 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 3451 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 4350 - Instrumental Analysis
• CHEM 4351 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
• CHEM 4522 - Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices
• CHEM 4550 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 5760 - Organic Structure Elucidation
• MATH 3331 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
• 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry
• 3 hours of research in biology or chemistry (BIOL 3504, BIOL 3550; CHEM 4505, CHEM 4506, CHEM 4507, CHEM 4515, CHEM 4516, CHEM 4517)

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

• Biochemistry
• Biochemists
• Biophysicists
• Medical Scientists
• Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
• Scientific and Technical Services
• Education and Training

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

• Self-employed;
• Work for the federal government, including the military: or
• Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.