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Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry provides you with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for graduate school or a career in health, or the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries.

Biochemistry, otherwise known as “biological chemistry,” is a subdiscipline of both biology and chemistry. Using advanced technologies to conduct scientific experiments and analysis, biochemists study chemical and physical principles of living things, including cell development, growth, and diseases. As a biochemistry major, you graduate with an interdisciplinary skill set that combines laboratory expertise with a strong foundation in biological processes.

Offered by St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biochemistry provides you with a comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for graduate school or a career in health, or the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries.

Available at the University’s Queens, NY, campus, the B.S. in Biochemistry program also offers electives in anatomy, neurobiology, and virology.

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Degree Type
BS
Area of Interest
Science & Mathematics
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
120

Department Contact

Joseph Serafin, Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor

718-990-5226

Admission

For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission.

Career Outcomes

As a biochemist, there are several career paths you can follow, including biotechnology, cosmetics, education, health care, and research. Graduates often combine their scientific training with interests in other fields such as computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, political science, and statistics.

St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provides the opportunity to obtain practical experience and networking connections through valuable internships at top companies throughout the New York metropolitan area. Please visit University Career Services for more information. 

Global Approach to Education

You benefit from St. John’s focus on an international academic experience. The University offers extensive study abroad courses during the academic year, as well as during the winter and summer semesters. You can live and learn at St. John’s Rome, Italy, campus and our Paris, France, location. For more information, please visit Global Education

Courses

To earn the B.S. in Biochemistry, you complete 120 credits including core, major sequence, and elective requirements. The major sequence and elective requirements are outlined below. For more information about courses, please see the St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of our Undergraduate Bulletin.

CourseNumberTitleCredits
BIO1000Fundamentals of Biology4
BIO2000Fundamentals of Biology II4
BIO3000Fundamentals of Biology III4
BIO/CHE3390Biochemistry4
BIO3470Molecular and Cell Biology4
CHE1210General Chemistry5
CHE1220General Chemistry II5
CHE2230Organic Chemistry5
CHE2240Organic Chemistry II5
CHE3250Quantitative Analysis4
BIO/CHE3360Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences3

Please choose three Biochemistry electives from the following:

CourseNumberTitleCredits
BIO2270Introduction to Virology3
BIO2280General Microbiology4
BIO3300Advanced Anatomy and Physiology II3
BIO3460Concepts of Immunology4
BIO3830Bioinformatics4
BIO4953Research in Biology2
CHE3210Microscopic Physical Chemistry3
CHE3220Macroscopic Physical Chemistry3
CHE3330Bioorganic Chemistry3
CHE3450Biological Inorganic Chemistry3
CHE4351Research Participation I2
CHE4361Research Participation II2
CSC1380Introduction to Computer and Data Science3
CourseNumberTitleCredits
MTH1730University Calculus4
MTH1740University Calculus II4
MTH1210Biostatistics4
PHY1930University Physics I4
PHY1940University Physics II4

Additional Information

As a biochemistry major at St. John’s, you gain a solid foundation in the theory and application of scientific concepts and principles.

You learn and are mentored by an enormously gifted, internationally-known faculty of scholar-teachers who care about each student’s progress. Faculty encourage students to serve as research partners in the University’s recently upgraded chemistry laboratories.

You gain a strong academic and professional edge by joining any of our more than 180 student clubs and organizations. Clubs and honor societies of particular interest to biochemistry majors include

  • American Chemical Society
  • Roger Bacon Scientific Honor Society
  • Watson Pre-Health Honor Society

The Skull and Circle Honor Society and the Lambda Kappa Phi Honor Society annually select students from St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who combine scholarship, integrity, and dedicated service to the St. John’s community.

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