Biochemistry Bachelor of Science Degree

Study the chemistry of life to prepare for careers in biotech, pharma, forensics, and agriculture.


100%

Outcomes Rate of RIT Graduates from this degree

$47.1K

Average First-Year Salary of RIT Graduates from this degree

10

Goldwater Scholars

The most prestigious national award for undergraduate research

25+

Lab spaces including teaching, research, and instrument labs

500MHz

Frequency of our in-house Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy instrument


Overview for Biochemistry BS

Why Study Biochemistry at RIT 


  • Educational Growth: Follow in the footsteps of nearly half of RIT’s biochemistry bachelor’s degree students, who continued their education in graduate programs at top-tier universities, including Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Yale University, Harvard University, MIT, Cornell University, and Virginia Tech.

  • Academic Communities: Join the student chapters of the American Chemical Society, Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Fraternity, or American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to connect with other students and professionals in your field, attend national conferences, and access employment and career resources.

  • Undergraduate Research: Engage in biochemistry research starting as early as your first year, preparing you for a wide range of careers with hands-on experience.

  • Direct Path to Medical School: RIT’s partnership with the University of Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine offers eligible pre-health/pre-med students early admission and mentorship through the Early Opportunity Program in Medicine.

  • Jobs at Industry Leading Companies: Recent biochemistry graduates are employed at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ICON Laboratory, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

  • Pre-Med/Pre-Health and Pre-Vet Advising Programs: Receive personalized guidance to become a competitive candidate for admission to medical and veterinary schools and graduate programs in the health professions.

  • STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.

Biochemists focus on the chemistry of life. RIT’s biochemistry bachelor’s degree provides knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology, which prepares you to consider real-world problems from a variety of perspectives. Delve deeper into your interest in combining the life and health sciences with RIT's chemistry degree.

RIT’s Biochemistry Bachelor’s Degree

The first year of the bachelor of science in biochemistry includes a mix of general biology and chemistry courses. During the upper-level years, you’ll take a substantial core of courses in biochemistry, physical chemistry, the liberal arts, and elective courses in life sciences. With RIT’s biochemistry BS you will be able to:

  • Contribute your skills in corporate, health care, or government positions
  • Enter professional education in medicine or other health-related fields
  • Attend graduate programs in a variety of chemical and life sciences-related programs

Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising

RIT’s Office of Pre-Health Advising offers an advising program that’s open to all majors and provides personal, individualized academic counseling to help you create a comprehensive long-term strategy to assist you in building successful applications to medical, dental, and veterinary schools or graduate degrees in the health professions (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.). Our pre-health advisors will have in-depth conversations with you around critical topics that include academic planning and course selection, MCAT and other admission exams, undergraduate research opportunities, clinical experiences and field work, timelines, and much more. Learn more about pre-med/pre-health advising.

Pre-Vet Advising

RIT’s pre-vet advising program provides personalized support to help you prepare successful applications for veterinary medical school. Pre-vet advising offers guidance on course selection, veterinary and animal care experience requirements, the veterinary school application process, and more. Learn about RIT’s pre-vet advising program.

Furthering Your Education in Biochemistry

Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

  • +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.

Advanced Degrees

If you’re interested in pursuing medical school and/or graduate programs in the health professions, two advising programs can guide your planning for advanced study in these competitive areas of study:

RIT/University of Buffalo’s Early Opportunity Program in Medicine

RIT pre-health/pre-med students have a direct path to medical school through an RIT partnership with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo (UB). The Early Opportunity Program in Medicine allows eligible RIT students to secure a pre-admission offer to the Jacobs School while completing their undergraduate degree at RIT. Students accepted into the program gain early access to professional training and mentorship at UB’s medical school, helping them prepare for the demands of medical school and beyond. Learn more about the Early Opportunity Program in Medicine.

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Careers and Cooperative Education

Typical Job Titles

Computer-Aided Drug Design Chemist Quality Control Analyst Chemist
Research Technologist Medical Student Analytical Chemist
Forensic Scientist Biotechnology Researcher Health Scientist
Separations Chemist Process Chemist Cosmetic Biochemist
Food Biochemist

Industries

  • Biotech and Life Sciences
  • Health Care
  • Higher Education
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmaceuticals
Post-Graduation Salary and Career Info for Biochemistry BS

Cooperative Education

What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries. 

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Science co-ops include a range of hands-on experiences, from co-ops and internships and work in labs to undergraduate research and clinical experience in health care settings. These opportunities provide the hands-on experience that enables you to apply your scientific, math, and health care knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Cooperative education is optional but strongly encouraged for biochemistry majors.

Co-op and Experiential Learning Options for Biochemistry BS

Featured Work and Profiles

Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Biochemistry BS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is STEM designated when studying on campus and full time.

First-Year Admission

First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background that includes:

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of social studies and/or history
  • 3 years of mathematics is required and must include algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry. Pre-calculus is recommended.
  • 2-3 years of science is required and must include biology and chemistry.

Transfer Admission

Transfer applicants should meet these minimum degree-specific requirements:

  • A minimum of college algebra is required. Pre-calculus or calculus is preferred.
  • Chemistry and biology are required.

Learn How to Apply

Financial Aid and Scholarships

100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.

RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships

Research

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Many students join research labs and engage in research starting as early as their first year. Participation in biochemistry research leads to the development of real-world lab techniques, enhanced problem-solving skills, and broader career opportunities. Our students have opportunities to travel to national conferences for presentations and also become contributing authors on peer-reviewed manuscripts. Explore the variety of chemistry undergraduate research happening across the university.

Related News

  • April 15, 2024

    Aiden Miller is shown posing in front of their research which is hanging on a building window.

    Biochemistry student receives Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

    RIT third-year biochemistry student Aidan Miller has been awarded a Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate research scholarship in the United States, given to students pursuing a career in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering.

Contact

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