The pioneering geneticist Craig Venter famously stated in 2004, “If the 20th century was the century of physics, the 21st century will be the century of biology.” The wealth of genomic data that has become available in recent decades, along with parallel development of methods in biochemistry and molecular biology, has offered new opportunities for solving some of humanity’s most pressing challenges, including issues related to human and environmental health. Furthermore, biochemistry is foundational to the practice of modern medicine.
Students majoring in Biochemistry at UC Merced will pursue a highly interdisciplinary understanding of biology at the scale of atoms to molecules with a level of depth and rigor that is not provided by programs in either Chemical or Biological Science majors. The program develops students’ fundamental knowledge of biochemical principles, and provides training in cutting edge experimental techniques, data analysis and computational methods, and effective scientific communication.
Our growing knowledge of how life operates at the biochemical level has already ushered in remarkable advances in technology, including new chemical and biologic drugs, vaccines, cancer immunotherapies, sustainable catalysts and chemical synthesis approaches, genetically modified crops, and engineered biomaterials. A degree in Biochemistry opens the door to a wide variety of careers in fields where the ability to leverage the exponential growth of available biological data and to extract meaningful biochemical insights from this vast sea of information is critical, such as in medical research, biotechnology, and environmental health.
The Biochemistry program is designed to satisfy the requirements for approval by the American Chemical Society.
Biochemistry Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates completing the B.S. Major in Biochemistry will demonstrate proficiency in:
- Fundamental knowledge and skills: Students are able to describe the major concepts and theoretical principles in biochemistry. They can identify the central ideas underlying the principal subfields of chemistry— analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry—as well as the broader interdisciplinary subfields of biochemistry. Students are able to perform standard biochemical techniques and protocols, operate modern analytical instrumentation, demonstrate literacy in bioinformatics and coding fundamentals, and carry out essential biochemical experiments with strict adherence to sound laboratory techniques as well as good safety practices. They know how to use modern web-based methods to effectively search the scientific literature.
- Scientific methodology: Students have developed the ability to integrate the aforementioned fundamental knowledge and skills into scientific inquiries. They can formulate well-defined and quantitative questions, develop testable hypotheses, design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret the results and reach appropriate conclusions. They are also able to critically analyze the work of other scientists and assess its correctness, importance, and relevance.
- Communication and teamwork skills: Students are able to write organized and concise reports and present technical information using electronic media, posters and oral presentations. They have developed the communication and teamwork skills that allow them to work effectively both as leaders and as team members in a group.
- Citizenship, ethics, role of biochemistry in society: Students have an appreciation for the role of biochemistry in the global society as well as the central role biochemistry plays in other scientific disciplines such as biology, medicine, environmental science, and engineering sciences. They conduct themselves ethically and responsibly in science-related professions.
Major Course Flow Chart
2025-2026 Catalog
