Life happens at the molecular level — and biochemistry is the science that explains it. GCU's B.S. in Biochemistry sits at the intersection of biology and chemistry, giving you the deep molecular understanding that medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, graduate programs, and research institutions are looking for. Small labs, faculty mentored research, departmental honors opportunities, and some of the most powerful preprofessional partnerships available to NJ students.
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Biochemistry is consistently ranked among the top undergraduate majors for medical school preparation — and with good reason. The B.S. in Biochemistry at GCU provides deep training in the exact areas that the MCAT tests: organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology. Combined with the physics and calculus requirements, you'll graduate with the scientific depth that medical, dental, veterinary, and graduate school admissions committees specifically seek out.
GCU's biochemistry faculty are active researchers who invite exceptional students into their labs. Through CH350, CH449, and CH450 Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry, students can spend two semesters working on original research projects under direct faculty supervision — producing a full technical paper on their findings. The Departmental Honors Program is by invitation (extended at the beginning of junior year) and is one of the most meaningful distinctions a GCU science student can earn. University Honors Program students may also pursue research with a letter grade through a faculty contract.
Being a great scientist isn't just about what you know — it's about how clearly you can communicate it. GCU's biochemistry program treats technical writing and oral communication as core professional skills, not afterthoughts. Written reports and oral presentations are integral to every course. The program culminates in a senior seminar (CH420 Chemistry/Biochemistry Seminar) in which students present their work directly to faculty and departmental colleagues — the same experience you'll have throughout a research or clinical career.
The B.S. in Biochemistry is one of GCU's recognized pre-professional science degrees — making you eligible for all of GCU's joint partnership programs. The Saint George's University 3+4 BS/MD (and BS/DVM) program, the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine Early Admission program, the Northeast College of Health Sciences 3+3 chiropractic partnership, and the Saint Joseph's University 3+3 physical therapy pathway are all available to Biochemistry majors. These partnerships give you some of the most direct routes to a health professional degree available to NJ undergraduates.
All chemistry and biochemistry majors are required to take the ETS Major Field Achievement Test in Chemistry before graduation — a nationally standardized exam that benchmarks students against peers at institutions across the country and validates the rigor of GCU’s program.
Biochemistry is where biology and chemistry meet — and where some of the most consequential scientific questions of our time are being answered. What causes cancer at the molecular level? How do proteins fold, and what happens when they don’t? How do drugs interact with biological systems? How does DNA encode, express, and regulate life? These are biochemistry questions — and GCU’s B.S. in Biochemistry prepares you to understand and contribute to answering them.
The program begins with the same laboratory-oriented chemistry foundation shared with the Chemistry major — general chemistry, organic chemistry, and quantitative analysis — before moving into the areas that define biochemistry as a discipline: biochemistry I and II, quantum chemistry, reaction dynamics, cell biology, molecular genetics, and microbiology. The mathematics sequence (Calculus I and II) and the physics sequence (University Physics I and II) provide the quantitative foundation that professional schools and graduate programs require.
Upper-level coursework in Topics in Chemistry/Biochemistry (CH416) provides exposure to current research and emerging areas of the discipline. The senior seminar (CH420) is a culminating experience in which students present biochemistry topics to faculty and peers — developing the professional communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
For students who want to go further, the research sequence (CH350, CH449, CH450) offers two semesters of faculty-supervised original research — the most rigorous undergraduate research experience available in GCU’s science programs. Recommended additional courses include Inorganic Chemistry (CH334) and Instrumental Analysis (CH402) for students planning graduate study or pharmaceutical research careers.
GCU’s biochemistry graduates have gone on to medical school, dental school, veterinary school, pharmaceutical industry research, graduate programs in biochemistry and molecular biology, and clinical laboratory sciences. The department’s faculty are accomplished researchers who provide close mentorship throughout the degree.
GCU’s B.S. in Biochemistry is a great fit if you:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemists & Biophysicists | $55,000–$75,000 | $113,500 | $140,000–$180,000+ |
| Medical Scientists / Researchers | $60,000–$78,000 | $105,100 | $140,000+ |
| Physicians (M.D./D.O.) (post-residency) | $220,000+ | $300,000+ | $350,000+ |
| Pharmacists | $120,000–$135,000 | $137,400 | $145,000+ |
| Pharmaceutical / Biotech Researchers | $65,000–$85,000 | $108,200 | $140,000–$180,000+ |
Job Outlook
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of 42 biochemistry credits, plus courses in related areas, including: | ||
| Biochemistry Courses | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH241 | Quant. Analysis | 4.0 |
| CH304 | Chemical Literature | 2.0 |
| CH311 | Biochemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH312 | Biochemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH331 | Quantum Chemistry | 4.0 |
| CH332 | Reaction Dynamics | 4.0 |
| CH416 | Topics in Chemistry/Biochemistry | 3.0 |
| CH420 | Chemistry/Biochemistry Seminar | 1.0 |
| Related Courses | ||
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 4.0 | |
BI219 | Microbiology | |
BI320 | Cell Biology | |
BI422 | Advanced Molecular Genetics | |
| PH121 | University Physics I | 4.0 |
| PH122 | University Physics II | 4.0 |
| MA115 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MA116 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| Strongly recommended additional courses: | ||
CH334 | Inorganic Chemistry | |
CH402 | Instrumental Analysis | |
| Total Credits | 70.0 | |
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Strongly Recommended High School Preparation: 4 years of math including Precalculus (Calculus recommended); Chemistry (with lab); Biology; Physics recommended. Students should be prepared to begin Calculus I and General Chemistry I in the first semester.
Academic Continuation Requirement: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in chemistry courses is required after completing 16 credits of freshman/sophomore chemistry to continue in the Biochemistry major.
Pre-Professional Partnership Notes:
By the time you earn your B.S. in Biochemistry from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: Is Biochemistry a good major for medical school? A: Biochemistry is consistently ranked among the top undergraduate majors for medical school preparation and admission success. The content maps directly to the MCAT — particularly the biochemistry, chemistry, cell biology, and genetics sections — and the rigorous coursework demonstrates the academic capability that medical school admissions committees look for. GCU’s B.S. in Biochemistry, combined with the joint BS/MD and Early Admission partnership programs available to GCU students, gives you multiple pathways to a medical degree.
Q: What’s the difference between Biochemistry and Biology at GCU? A: Biochemistry digs into the chemical and molecular basis of life — the structure and function of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates; metabolic pathways; molecular genetics; and the physical chemistry that drives biological processes. Biology takes a broader view — from cells and organisms through ecology and evolution, with less emphasis on the underlying chemistry. Both are strong pre-medical majors, but Biochemistry provides deeper training in the molecular areas that the MCAT emphasizes most heavily. If you’re more drawn to chemistry and molecular mechanisms, Biochemistry is likely the right fit. If you’re more drawn to organismal biology, ecology, or physiology, Biology may suit you better.
Q: What are the research opportunities in Biochemistry? A: The department offers a formal research sequence — CH350, CH449, and CH450 Research in Chemistry/Biochemistry — in which students work directly with faculty on original research projects for up to two semesters. Each research course requires the production of a technical paper covering the existing literature and the results of the investigation. The Departmental Honors Program selects exceptional students by invitation at the beginning of the junior year for this research sequence. University Honors Program students may also arrange research work with a faculty member through a course contract.
Q: What is the Departmental Honors Program in Chemistry/Biochemistry? A: Departmental Honors is offered to students demonstrating exceptional ability and commitment. Students are notified of eligibility at the beginning of the spring semester of the junior year. Those who accept the invitation participate in a two-semester independent research project with a faculty professor, working five hours per week with the goal of producing original scientific findings and a technical paper. Honors students in the University Honors Program work eight hours per week and receive a letter grade. This is one of the most rigorous and distinctive undergraduate experiences GCU offers in the sciences.
Q: What GPA do I need to stay in the program? A: You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in your chemistry courses after completing 16 credits of freshman/sophomore chemistry. Students who fall below this threshold will be reviewed and may be required to change their major.
Q: Is Biochemistry a good preparation for pharmacy school? A: Yes — organic chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and the quantitative sciences are core pharmacy school prerequisites, and GCU’s Biochemistry major covers all of them rigorously. Students interested in pharmacy school should confirm the specific prerequisite requirements of their target pharmacy programs and work with their advisor to ensure all prerequisites are met within the degree.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Students interested in pre-professional programs (BS/MD, chiropractic, physical therapy) are especially encouraged to apply early and contact Dr. Bergman in their first year.
Graduate/Professional Pathways:
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