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BIOLOGY-CHEMISTRY

Prepare for a Health Care Career With Expertise in Both Biology and Chemistry

Doctor, pharmacist, dentist–these careers and many more depend upon an understanding of biology, chemistry and how the two interact.

Manchester University’s Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry is half a biology degree and half a chemistry degree, with a special focus on the chemical reactions occurring in our own bodies.

With this knowledge, you can pursue any number of health care professions, from doctor to pharmacist to veterinarian, as well as teach or pursue research.

Between our rigorous curriculum, dedicated advising and experiential learning opportunities, we’re committed to setting you up for future success.

MU AT A GLANCE

  • 120 total credit hours
  • 4 Years to Completion
  • Tuition: Learn More
  • Location: North Manchester Campus
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
120

*Credits

4

Years

Tuition

Learn More

Fall Session

August 2025

Learning Environment

Manchester University Main Campus |  On-site

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Why Choose Manchester for Biochemistry?

We give biology-chemistry students all the tools necessary to hone a deep knowledge base you’ll use throughout your career. This is achieved thanks to our:

Opportunities for hands-on experience

Every biochemistry major will complete an internship, practicum or research experience before they graduate, guaranteeing opportunities for hands-on practice.

Interested in getting even more experience on your resume? We also offer a special medical practicum during January session in which you can work in a health care clinic in an underserved community in Central America.

Focus on career preparation

A class on STEM careers and a career-focused senior seminar are both required for the biology-chemistry major. That’s in addition to robust advising informed by the nuances of the health care profession you’re more interested in.

Small class sizes

Classes for this major are generally 15–30 students, and our faculty are dedicated to cultivating a culture of accessibility. This means you’ll get ample face-to-face time with your professors, especially since labs are always taught by professors and never graduate students.

Meet your professors

Numerous learning resources

We have everything you need to delve deep into the world of biochemistry, including fully equipped labs with professional-grade appliances. Plus, you’ll have access to all the same high-level scientific literature as our Pharm.D. students.

Research opportunities

Choose from several summer research opportunities, including the Faculty-Student Summer Research Program, the Miller Student Research Scholarship and the Biology Summer Research internship. Spend your summers getting hands-on experience in biochemistry while working closely with our expert faculty.

" We went to Guatemala, and there we shadowed doctors as they helped Indigenous communities... Because I am fluent in Spanish, I was actually an interpreter. So I would be alongside with the doctor and another interpreter that would go from the Mayan language to Spanish."
Brisa Arriaga-Banda '22
Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry

What Can You Do With Your Degree in Biology-Chemistry?

There are hundreds of careers you can pursue with a BS in Biology-Chemistry–in fact, we’ve created an inexhaustive list of 166.

One of the most common careers biology-chemistry graduates pursue is physician, and our program helps you complete all the prerequisites needed to apply for medical school, whether you choose allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine . Pharmacist is another common goal, which is why we reserve seats in our Pharm.D. Program for our own undergraduates and give them preferential consideration for our Pharmacogenomics Program.

Other careers pursued by biology-chemistry graduates include several different types of health care professionals, including optometrist, dentist, veterinarian, chiropractor, physician assistant, physical therapist and many more. We also offer a biology-chemistry education track for those who want to teach high school science.

Finally, this degree will prepare you to pursue advanced degrees in biochemistry and continue performing research in the field.

Career outlook for biochemistry majors

Our biology–chemistry students graduate fully prepared to either enter the workforce or pursue an advanced degree. Notably, our graduates’ acceptance rate to medical school is especially high at 79 percent–a big difference from the national average of 40–45 percent.

Meanwhile, we have an 88 percent acceptance rate to dental school, a 99 percent acceptance rate to pharmacy school and a 96 percent acceptance rate to other health care professional schools.

MU students have a high acceptance rate into Pharmacy School - 99 percent

MUFW has a 97.8 percent job placement rate within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

How much do biology-chemistry graduates make?

Earnings potential is significant for people who complete a biology-chemistry major. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), doctors make a median salary of $229,300, dentists a median salary of $159,530 and pharmacists a median salary of $132,750.

If you choose to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, you’ll still be able to earn a comfortable living. The BLS found that graduates with a biology major earn an average of about $70,000 a year, while chemists earn an average of $81,810.

A student enjoys the MU Hooding Ceremony with the Pharmacy Program.

$239,200
+3 %
24,600
 Median Pay Job OutlookEmployment Change 2022-32 

Source:Bureau of Labor and Statistics using the median salary for doctors

Explore Classes for Biology-Chemistry Majors

The curriculum for the biology-chemistry major combines the best of biology and chemistry, as well as a few physics courses to round out your studies. Learn foundational scientific concepts, including microbiology, anatomy and dedicated courses in biochemistry.

Then, conclude your four years with an experiential learning course that takes the form of an internship, research project or practicum experience. This guarantees you’ll get some real-world experience before graduation, making you a more attractive candidate to employers and graduate schools.

View all required classes for this program.

Biology-Chemistry Major Accreditation and Ranking

Manchester University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Get Started on Your Biology-Chemistry Major

Take the next step toward earning your degree. We have the resources to help you get started.

Degree Programs Related to Biology-Chemistry

Manchester University’s Non-Discrimination Admission Policy

Manchester University is committed to non-discrimination in campus life. The University does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, ancestry, race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, disability or veteran status in admissions or any area of campus life, including its educational programs, scholarships and loan awards, residence life programs, athletic programs, extracurricular programs, promotion and tenure policies and practice, and alumni affairs.

Manchester University is committed to carry out the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which provide for accessibility of University programs to the physically disabled.