Biochemistry Major
Biochemistry is the study of how all living organisms make and use diverse building blocks - proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates - life at the molecular level. The study of these processes spans both biology and chemistry to study how energy is used and transformed in living systems; how macromolecular structure determines function and regulation; and how information storage and flow are dynamic and interactive.
Starting Fall 2026, the new Biochemistry Major will be jointly offered by the Biology and Chemistry Departments. The major reflects the importance of both disciplines in modern biochemistry. From core courses to electives, the major showcases the breadth and depth of the field and is intended for students considering multiple career paths from research to medicine.
The foundational requirements of the biochemistry major are comparable to those of the biology and chemistry majors, including introductory biology with lab, general chemistry & general chemistry lab, organic chemistry with lab, calculus, and physics with lab.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
|---|---|---|
Biol2960 | Principles of Biology I | 4, SP/SU |
Biol2970 | Principles of Biology II | 4, FL/SU |
Chem1601/1701 | Principles of General Chemistry I/ General Chemistry I | 3, FL/SU105 |
Chem1602/1702 | Principles of General Chemistry II/General Chemistry II | 3, FL/SU106 |
Chem1751 | General Chemistry Lab I | 1, FL/SU |
Chem1752 | General Chemistry Lab II | 1, SP/SU |
Chem2501/2551 | Organic Chemistry I | 3+1, FL/SU |
Chem2502/2552 | Organic Chemistry II | 3+1, SP/SU |
Math1510 | Calculus I | 3+1, FL/SP/SU |
Math1520 | Calculus II | 3, FL/SP/SU |
Phys1740/1741 | Physics I with Lab | 3+1, FL/SU |
Phys1742/1743 | Physics II with Lab | 3+1, SP/SU |
Biochemistry majors also complete a set of core courses in math/data science, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry.
Math & data science core requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
| *Select from one of the following | ||
CSE2107 | Introduction to Data Science | 3, FL/SP |
CSE2400 | Logic and Discrete Mathematics | 3, FL/SP |
Math2130 | Calculus III | 3, FL/SP/SU |
SDS2020 | Elementary Probability & Statistics | 3, FL/SP/SU |
SDS3020 | Elementary/Intermediate Statistics & Data Analysis (3, FL/SP) | 3, FL/SP |
SDS3110 | Biostatistics | 3, SP |
Biology core requirement | ||
|---|---|---|
Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
| *Select from one of the following | ||
Biol3057 | Physiological Control Systems | 3, SP |
Biol3340 | Cell Biology | 3, SP |
Biol3490 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 4, SP |
Chemistry and biochemistry core requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
| *All three courses are required | ||
Chem40901 | Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences | 3, FL |
Biohem48102 | General Biochemistry I | 3, FL |
Biochem48202 | General Biochemistry II | 3, SP |
NOTES: 1Chem4020: Physical Chemistry II can be used instead of Chem4090 with Chem4010: Physical Chemistry II counting as an advanced elective. 2Current Chem4810/4820 will become Biochem4010/4020. 3Current biology and chemistry undergraduate research courses are listed and can be used for the major; however, a future course (Biochem4950: Independent Biochemistry Research) will be established for the major.
For the biochemistry major, students must complete 24 units of upper-level (3000+) courses, including those in the core options, as well as an advanced laboratory requirement and up to 9 units of advanced electives and/or independent study. The listings below are recommended courses; however, any 3000+ level course in biology or chemistry may be applied to the major if appropriate and with approval of the major advisor in consultation with DUS. Biochemistry majors must complete the Arts & Sciences Writing Intensive (WI) requirement. There are WI courses in the major, but students can complete with any A&S WI course.
Advanced Lab Requirement | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
| *Select from one of the following | ||
Bio3492 | Lab Experiments with Eukaryotic Microbes (WI) | 3, SP odd yrs |
Biol3493 | Bacterial Bioprospecting and Biotechnology | 3, FL |
Biol4220 | Practical Bioinformatics | 4, FL |
Biol4246 | Next-Generation Genetics | 3, SP |
Biol4342/4343 | Research Exploration in Genomics (4343, WI) | 4, FL |
Biol4522 | Laboratory in Protein Analysis | 3, SP |
Biol4523 | Molecular Methods in Enzyme Analysis | 4, FL |
Biol4525 | Structural Bioinformatics of Proteins (WI) | 4, FL/SP |
Chem4035 | Nuclear and Radiochemistry Lab | 3, FL |
Chem4079 | Instrumental Methods: Physical Chemistry Lab (WI) | 3, SP |
Chem4559 | Advanced Organic Chemistry Lab (WI) | 4, FL |
Chem4570/4579 | Polymer Synthesis Lab (4579, WI) | 3, SP |
Chem4760/4679 | Inorganic Chemistry Lab (4679, WI) | 3, SP |
Chem4851 | Biological Chemistry Lab | 3, FL |
Phys3324 | Biophysics Lab | 3, FL |
Advanced electives and independent study
| ||
|---|---|---|
Course Number | Course Title | Credit, Semester |
| *Select one or more of the following | ||
Biol3151 | Endocrinology | 3, SP |
Biol3481 | Parasitology | 3, FL |
Biol4023 | How Plants Work | 3, FL odd yrs |
Biol4240 | Immunology | 4, SP |
Biol4242 | Virology | 3, FL |
Biol4344 | Epigenetics | 3, FL |
Biol4715 | Basic Cancer Biology | 3, FL |
Biol4716 | Advanced Cancer Biology | 3, SP |
Chem40101 | Physical Chemistry I | 3, FL |
Chem4050 | Computational Problem Solving in Chemical Sciences (3, FL) | 3, FL |
Chem4610 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3, FL |
Chem4821 | Chemical Biology | 3, FL |
Chem4830/4839 WI | Bioorganic Chemistry | 3, FL |
Chem4831 | Nucleic Acids | 3, SP |
Chem4833 | Protein Biochemistry | 3, SP |
Chem4842 | Modern Medicinal Chemistry | 3, FL |
Biol4950/Chem4900/Chem49503 | Independent Research | Up to 6 units |
NOTES: 1Chem4020: Physical Chemistry II can be used instead of Chem4800 with Chem4010: Physical Chemistry II counting as an advanced elective. 2Current Chem4810/4820 will become Biochem4010/4020. 3Current biology and chemistry undergraduate research courses are listed and can be used for the major; however, a future course (Biochem4950: Independent Biochemistry Research) will be established for the major.
Biochemistry majors (like all biology and chemistry majors) are encouraged to participate in research during the academic year. The Independent Research options are for students conducting research in a faculty lab on either the Danforth or Medical School campuses. Up to 6 units count toward advanced electives, as well as for Latin and/or Biochemistry Program Honors. Many students also receive support for summer research through multiple internal undergraduate research fellowships. As noted, above a new independent study course Biochem4950 will become the independent study course for the major.
Honors
To qualify for Latin Honors through the biochemistry major, a student must meet the following requirements. For requirements 1-3, only courses taken at Washington University are considered.
- B+ average (3.3 GPA) or better in biology and chemistry courses
- Cumulative average of B+ (3.3 GPA) or better in the related science subjects required (math, statistics & data science, and/or physics)
- Overall 3.65 GPA average
- Completion of at least six units of independent research
For Biochemistry Program Honors, a student will complete the above Latin Honors requirements AND a Research Capstone (the Biochemistry Capstone will be TBD). Initially, the capstone will be, as follows:
- A paper written in the style of a scientific article for a professional journal (i.e., senior thesis for Bio4950) OR a research presentation to an undergraduate thesis committee (Chem4950)
- Presentation of undergraduate thesis work in the form of either a poster or short talk at the OUR Undergraduate Research Symposium or an external meeting/conference
- Mentor's letter certifying acceptability of thesis and student presentation completion.
Program Advisors
Although student declaration of major and assignment of major advisors will be managed by the Chemistry Department, faculty advisors from both departments support the joint major. Students will be assigned (or can request) one of the following advisors:
Biology: April Bednarski, Wilhelm Cruz, Ram Dixit, Joseph Jez, Barbara Kunkel, Himadri Pakrasi, Anthony Smith, Craig Smith, Jennifer Wang, Corey Westfall, Hani Zaher, Xuehua Zhong
Chemistry: Jen Heemstra, John Heemstra, Meredith Jackrel, Yusuke Okuno, Gary Patti, Courtney Reichhardt, Tim Wencewicz., Yan Yu
FAQ
1) I have not declared any major and would like to become a biochemistry major, what should I do? Do I need to wait until Fall 2026 to declare the major?
All students need to wait until FL26 to declare the new biochemistry major. As you need to declare a major as the February deadline approaches, you should identify a 'current' major and specialization in either biology or chemistry. THEN in FL26, switch into the new biochemistry major. NOTE: you will be assigned an advisor in either major and that faculty member will remain your major advisor in the biochemistry major.
2) I am currently a biology/chemistry major with a biochemistry specialization, do I need to declare the new major?
You do not need to declare the new major. You can finish the current curriculum. However, depending on how far along you are in the current curriculum, you can switch into the new biochemistry major in FL26 if you choose to. NOTE: your current major advisor will become your biochemistry major advisor.
3) Can I switch out of the new biochemistry major into another major?
Yes. Because the structure of the biochemistry major is similar to that of the biology and chemistry majors, it is possible to change between the three options. However, depending on progress and the timing of a change, be sure to consult with your major advisor for best options.
4) Will I be able to pursue minors (such as Bioinformatics) that the biology and/or chemistry majors do not allow?
Yes, because the new major is separate from the biology and chemistry majors; this allows biochemistry majors greater flexibility. Remember that courses for a minor do not count toward a major (and vice versa).
5) Can I use Study Abroad courses to satisfy requirements of the biochemistry major?
Yes. Current study abroad programs for both biology and chemistry can provide options to satisfy requirements for the biochemistry major. It is strongly advised to consult with advisors and/or DUS as soon as possible to discuss study abroad plans.