Students working in a lab

Biochemistry

About Our Program

Explore chemicals, molecules, and the reactions that happen in living organisms in our interdisciplinary biochemistry program.

You’ll use your curiosity and determination to experience the scientific process firsthand as you work with your faculty mentor on research projects and pursue opportunities to publish papers and present your findings at conferences.  

The fundamental skills you gain in biochemistry open doors to any science or medical-related field including medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, and forensics.

Program Offerings

  • Major

Department

Science in Action

Bring biology and chemistry together in the research lab. You’ll work alongside expert faculty as you develop lab skills to prepare you for success.

Research

Explore biochemistry further through research, either during the semester or as part of a paid summer fellowship. Our students conduct research on a wide variety of topics such as soil bacteria, DNA binding agents, artificial photosynthesis, kinetics, and mercury levels in local Adirondack ponds.

You might even get to create your own proteins in the lab like Evan Ketcham ’19. He worked alongside professor Matthew Skeels to investigate how certain proteins could be used to promote blood vessel growth to potentially be developed into therapies to assist in wound healing and other cellular repairs.  

Explore Research at St. Lawrence

Festival of Science

Students regularly co-author and publish research papers with their faculty mentors. YAfter spending a year or more investigating topics that spark your curiosity and motivate you to dig deeper, you'll presented your research findings during the Festival of Science, Scholarship, and Creativity. 

Read About Festival Day

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including Denmark, New Zealand, and Australia.

Short-Term Off-Campus Research Fellowships

In addition to on-campus research opportunities, you’ll have the chance to pursue short-term summer research fellowships at other colleges and universities. Students have collaborated with biologists and chemists to explore nanotechnology, solar energy, genetics, oceanography, drug discovery, and much more.

Explore Off-Campus Programs

Connect with Community

Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that align with your academic pursuits, including: 

  • American Chemical Society
  • Chemistry Club
  • Pre-Dental Society
  • St. Lawrence University Emergency Medical Services
  • Pre-Health Club
  • Pre-Veterinary Club

Learn More About Student Life

What's Next?

St. Lawrence students who studied biochemistry have gone on to study at a number of well-regarded institutions, including:

  • University of Virginia
  • Einstein
  • Northeastern Pharmacy School
  • University of California at Irvine
  • SUNY Upstate 
  • Rutgers School of Dentistry

Learn More About Outcomes

Alumni Network

For all of our alumni, the quest for evidence and answers doesn’t stop after Commencement. Some choose to make this activity a profession. You can find them in the field or the lab, using their talents to communicate the importance of their research and engage others in their work.

Explore the Power of our Alumni Network

Outcomes

Fueled by genuine curiosity, guided by expert faculty, and fulfilled by enriching learning and campus life experiences, our graduates leave well-equipped for their next adventure.  After graduation, Laurentians go on to make an impact in communities around the world. 

Learn About Success After St. Lawrence

Why St. Lawrence for Biochemistry

96%

of recent St. Lawrence graduates majoring in a science field are employed or continuing their education within a year

St. Lawrence students studying biochemistry have completed internships at:

  • Albany Medical Center
  • RITE Aid Pharmacy
  • Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare

#6

Best Science Lab Facilities

The Princeton Review, 2023

EJ Curtis.

Alumni at Work: Searching for Answers

For all of our alumni, the quest for evidence and answers doesn’t stop after Commencement. Some choose to make this activity a profession.

Read About Alums in Research

115,000

Square feet of laboratories, learning spaces, offices, and support spaces in Johnson Hall of Science

10

The number of scholarships offered to high achieving, Pell grant eligible, first-year underrepresented students interested in pursuing a STEM major

St. Lawrence students who studied biochemistry have worked at:

  • Update Medical University
  • Hartford Hospital
  • Cornell University
  • Albany Molecular Research
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
  • Battelle Memorial Institute

More Program Information

Program Requirements & Courses

Explore biochemistry major requirements, as well as electives and combined study options.

Complementary and Related Programs

If you’re interested in biochemistry, you might also like these programs.

Student doing research

Liberal Arts Science Scholarship

This program offers scholarships to domestic high-achieving, Pell-grant eligible students interested in pursuing STEM majors, outside of a pre-med track, including mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics, engineering, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, and geology.

Student presenting research

Festival of Science

Share your findings at this spring event celebrating student research projects across campus. As a student in our biochemistry program, you’ll regularly co-author and publish research papers with your faculty mentors.

Learn More About Research

Get More Information

We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.

Apply to St. Lawrence

We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.