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Studies & Degrees in Biological Chemistry

Biological chemistry, more often called biochemistry, is the study of the chemistry of living things. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes biochemists and biophysicists as people who study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes, such as cell development, growth, heredity and disease. The subject sits between chemistry and biology and underpins medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, food science and laboratory diagnostics.

Students learn how proteins, fats, DNA and other molecules are built and how they work in the cell. At the University of Chicago, for example, the Biological Chemistry major covers the chemistry and physics of macromolecules, the mechanisms of action of enzymes and hormones, molecular and cellular biology, and biotechnology. Laboratory work is a large part of any programme. Expect general, organic and physical chemistry, mathematics and physics in the first years, followed by biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

Qualifications and levels

The name and length of the degree depend on the country.

  • United States. The subject is a major within a four-year bachelor's degree. The University of Chicago offers a BS degree in Biological Chemistry, run by its Department of Chemistry together with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Students with advanced standing can plan a four-year programme leading to a joint BS in Biological Chemistry and MS in Chemistry. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to take part in research with a faculty member.
  • Ireland. At University College Cork (UCC), the BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry is reached through the Biological and Chemical Sciences entry route, which lasts four years. Students choose their degree stream at the end of the first or second year. The School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology also offers a research master's (MRes) in Biochemistry and Biosciences and PhD study.
  • Chile and Argentina. Biochemistry (Bioquímica) is a long professional degree. At the Universidad de Concepción it lasts 12 semesters and leads to the academic degree of Licenciado/a en Bioquímica and the professional title of Bioquímico/a. At the Universidad Nacional de La Plata the Licenciatura en Bioquímica is organised over six years, with an orientation in clinical work, public health or research.
  • Spain. Official bachelor's degrees (grados) have 240 ECTS credits and official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. Biochemistry is taught as a grado of its own at a number of universities and as part of chemistry, biology and biotechnology degrees.

Short courses are rare in this field. Students who want a shorter route into laboratory work usually look at vocational laboratory technician programmes instead.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 13 active schools for biological chemistry. Five are in the United States, and there is one each in Japan, Mexico, Ireland, Bermuda, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Ukraine. Examples are the University of Chicago, the University of California Los Angeles and Wellesley College in the United States, University College Cork in Ireland, the Universidad de Concepción in Chile and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata in Argentina.

The language of instruction follows the country: English in the United States and Ireland, Spanish in Chile, Argentina and Mexico, Portuguese in Brazil. Some universities elsewhere teach selected programmes in English, so check the language of each degree with the school.

When comparing programmes, look at how many laboratory hours are included, whether undergraduate research is possible, and whether the degree is aimed at research or, as in much of Latin America, at clinical laboratory practice as well.

Careers

Graduates work in research laboratories, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, clinical and diagnostic laboratories, food and agricultural companies, and teaching. The Universidad de Concepción names three fields for its graduates: academia and research, health, and the productive sector.

A research career normally requires a doctorate. According to the BLS, biochemists and biophysicists need a PhD to work in independent research and development positions, while holders of a bachelor's or master's degree qualify for some entry-level positions. In the United States there were about 35,200 jobs for biochemists and biophysicists in 2025. Scientific research and development services employed 61% of them and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 17%. The BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035. These figures refer to the United States only.

Frequently asked questions

Is biological chemistry the same as biochemistry?

In practice, yes. Some universities, such as the University of Chicago, use the name Biological Chemistry for the major, while most others call it Biochemistry. The content is the chemistry of living systems in both cases.

How long does a degree in biological chemistry take?

It depends on the country. The BSc at University College Cork lasts four years, an official bachelor's degree in Spain has 240 ECTS credits, and the professional degree at the Universidad de Concepción in Chile lasts 12 semesters.

Do I need a PhD to work as a biochemist?

For independent research, usually yes. The BLS states that a PhD is needed for independent research and development positions, and that bachelor's and master's graduates qualify for some entry-level positions.

Which school subjects do I need?

Chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics. University programmes in this field usually include mathematics and physics courses in addition to biological and chemical sciences.