Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

The biochemistry program consists of 84 credits hours. This includes 24 credit hours in biology, 31 credit hours in chemistry, 17 credit hours in mathematics and physics, and 12 credit hours in professional experiences and program-targeted electives. 20 credit hours are in free electives and 15 credit hours are in the Clarkson Common Experience curriculum.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Biochemistry Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

• BY140 Biology I: Inheritance, Evolution and Diversity
• BY160 Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology
• BY162 Biology II Laboratory (2 credits)
• BY214 Genetics
• BY412 Molecular Biology Laboratory (4 credits)
• BY450 Biochemistry I
• BY451 Biochemistry II
• BY470 Biochemistry & Biotechnology Laboratory
• CM103 Structure and Bonding
• CM105 Chemistry Laboratory I (2 credits)
• CM104 Chemical Equilibrium and Dynamics
• CM106 Chemistry Laboratory II (2 credits)
• CM221 Spectroscopy
• CM223 Spectroscopy Laboratory
• CM241 Organic Chemistry I
• CM242 Organic Chemistry II
• CM244 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• CM371 Physical Chemistry I
• CM372 Physical Chemistry II
• MA131 Calculus I
• MA132 Calculus II
• PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
• PH132 Physics II (4 credits)

Professional Experience

The professional experience can include directed research with any Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry or other university faculty in program-related fields, such as genetics, proteomics, biomaterials, biosensors, and drug synthesis and delivery, including that with nanostructured materials. This requirement can also be met by participating in external internships or co-ops in medical, research or industry environments, such as the University of Massachusetts-School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Trudeau Institute, Swift Laboratories, Strong Memorial Hospital Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Procter & Gamble, or other similar locations.

Directed research in department research labs with biochemistry faculty: physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, materials and colloid chemistryments, other colleges and universities, independent labs and research facilities, privately owned industries.

Biochemistry Core Electives

Students must complete 12 professional elective credits. The following courses fulfil this:

• Biology (BY) or Chemistry (CM) courses at 300-level or higher
• Business or Biomedical Science course approved by advisor

Statistics and Probability Elective

Students are required to take one Statistics and Probability (STAT) 3-credit course.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 12 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 20 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Our biochemistry students routinely land internships at independent labs and research facilities, medical centers, other colleges and universities and private businesses.

Some places our students have interned include:

• Beckman Laser Institute
• Corning
• Genentech
• Johnson & Johnson
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Mylan Technologies Inc.
• Procter & Gamble
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• Strong Memorial Hospital's Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
• Swift Laboratories
• Trudeau Institute
• UMass Chan Medical School

Lab experience is the core of the biochemistry program. Many of our alumni say that the research they conducted with faculty was the most important learning experience during their time at Clarkson. Students work alongside professors, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on summer research projects that not only build their skills but their résumés as well.

Engagement in research helps you develop confidence and critical thinking skills and prepares you to take on leadership roles when you graduate.

Many Clarkson students present their research at local, national and international meetings and co-author publications with faculty and graduate students. They also participate in a variety of summer programs, including the highly competitive Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Here, students work on a 10-week summer research project and gain essential research, collaborative and critical problem-solving skills as they solve global challenges in the sciences and engineering.

Several other summer research programs are available on campus, including the McNair and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), designed to mentor and prepare students for STEM careers.

Sophisticated research demands sophisticated tools. You'll have the chance to use the same instrumentation that our faculty and grad students rely on. Learn techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

As an undergraduate, you will have access to and be trained on using state-of-the-art equipment for chemical, materials and biochemical analysis. As you gain practical hands-on experience, you'll see how these cutting-edge devices can be used to solve problems of interest to industry and corporations.

Other instruments available for teaching and research include:

• Electron microscopes
• Mass spectrometers
• Particle sizers
• Thermal and mechanical analyzers
• UV/visible, fluorescence and atomic adsorption spectrometers
• X-ray diffractometers

Chemistry Minor

Chemistry, often called the "central science," is the core of many of Clarkson's science programs. Gain a thorough understanding of properties, composition and matter while participating in research with real-world implications. Learn about the chemistry minor.

Medicine and Healthcare Minor

The best healthcare practitioners are more than technically proficient. They're also keenly aware of ethics, history and other perspectives on their profession. Get insights that will prepare you for what awaits in the field while gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Learn about the medicine and healthcare minor.

Business Minor or Dual Major

Biochemistry with a business degree track leads to a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor or second major in business. This structure provides a strong foundation in biochemistry with additional exposure to the principles of business functions, including accounting, economics, finance, law, organizational behavior, operations management, entrepreneurship and marketing.

Successful completion of this track will prepare students for jobs in industry, business administration and entrepreneurial activities, as well as for entrance to graduate programs in the sciences or professional programs in business. Learn more about our major in business administration or minoring in business.

BS in Biochemistry + MBA (4+1)

This five-year program allows students to complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry along with the Master of Business Administration in five years. The residential MBA consists of foundation courses in 10 specified areas and 38 credit hours of advanced graduate work. Through careful planning, students in the biochemistry program may complete the MBA foundation courses as part of an undergraduate minor in business. Learn more about the residential MBA.

Pre-Health Sciences Advising Track

A biochemistry degree is a natural fit for a career in the health sciences. Once you choose a specialized track, advisors will help you select classes and activities that can make it easier to get into a graduate program.

Available advising tracks include:

• Occupational Therapy (feeds into Clarkson's OT Program)
• Physician Assistant Studies (feeds into Clarkson's PA Program)
• Physical Therapy (feeds into Clarkson's PT Program)
• Pre-dental
• Pre-medical
• Pre-optometry
• Pre-pharmacy
• Pre-public health
• Pre-veterinarian

See All Minors, Concentrations and Tracks

Biochemistry students can join the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, where they can discuss recent breakthroughs, participate in seminars and perform community service. Or, join any of more than 200 clubs and organizations, including ones devoted to sports, gaming and more. See all clubs and organizations.