Learn Through Hands-On Research
Our immersive biochemistry laboratory courses model work at leading industry employers and graduate schools. This hands-on training offers a great foundation for pursuing employment in various industries, advanced degrees in chemical or life sciences, or medical, dental, or pharmacy degrees.
As a biochemistry student at the University of Michigan-Flint, you spend 450+ hours learning cutting-edge biochemical analysis methods in our labs. You use state-of-the-art instrumentation to learn methods such as western blotting, fluorescence imaging, enzyme kinetics via spectroscopy, cell culture, protein purification, and SDS-PAGE.
In our labs, you work on research projects with your fellow students and faculty as part of a research team. Many students earn authorship positions on academic papers or present their findings at conferences.
Once you’ve finished some classes, you can gain more hands-on experience as a Laboratory Teaching Assistant, Supplemental Instruction leader, or tutor.
Why UM-Flint?
The most important reason to study biochemistry at UM-Flint is the quality of our faculty. They’ve been intensively trained and many are actively engaged in research, but they come to UM-Flint because they love teaching and are committed to student success.
That commitment extends to mentoring students. Every biochemistry major has a faculty mentor who can answer questions about internships, research opportunities, time management, work/life balance, planning for jobs or graduate school, and much more.
Here are just a few other reasons why UM-Flint is a great choice if you’re interested in biochemistry:
- Our Chemistry Club is a nationally recognized student chapter of the American Chemical Society that consistently receives the highest Chapter Award from the ACS. The club hosts a variety of social and professional development events, and it also focuses on providing science outreach to our local schools and campus community. The experience of being a club officer has helped our alumni gain admission to many graduate and professional programs.
- In a paid or volunteer role, you can develop your research skills while working side-by-side with faculty on state-of-the-art research in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or its summer counterpart, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, which offers full- and half-time positions.
- Flint offers many opportunities for internships, community outreach, and volunteer work.
Tyler Doyon is currently a Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also received a fellowship through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Tyler says, “The small class size at UM-Flint is an incredible asset to students like me, as it allows us to work closely with professors and conduct original research. I owe a great deal to Dr. Kingsley and all of the department for their guidance and mentorship over the years.”
Tyler Doyon
Biochemistry 2015
Chemistry Programs at UM-Flint
The Department of Natural Sciences at UM-Flint offers the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry program and its honors version. As a biochemistry major, you can choose from among four concentrations:
- General
- Pre-medical
- Pre-dental
- Pre-pharmacy
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree at UM-Flint is certified by the American Chemical Society.
In addition, we offer a Green Chemistry degree:
Finally, we offer a Chemistry Minor that’s available to all students at UM-Flint.
Scholarships for Biochemistry Majors
UM-Flint provides a number of scholarships that are specifically for chemistry students. They include:
- Fleming A. & Marian E. Barbour Scholarship Fund
- Harry H. Blecker Scholarship Fund
- Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Chemistry Scholarship
- Lotfi Family Scholarship Fund
- Zelpha E. McKinnon Science Scholarship
- Holly Sucic Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Our Office of Financial Aid offers a variety of other scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. They’re all part of our effort to make your world-class University of Michigan-Flint education affordable.
Academic Advising for Biochemistry Majors
With so many educational opportunities and career paths available to our biochemistry students, we strongly encourage you to meet regularly with your academic advisor. Our academic advisors can help you choose classes, navigate program requirements, overcome personal issues, develop post-graduation plans, and more.
Cydnee Robertson is the dedicated advisor for biochemistry students. You can contact her at [email protected] or schedule an appointment.
Career Opportunities in Biochemistry
Your bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UM-Flint will open the door to many career options. Consider these job projections for just a few possibilities from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Biochemists and Biophysicists
- Job growth through 2030: 5 percent
- Job openings annually through 2030: 3,200
- Typical entry-level education required: Doctorate (some entry-level jobs available with a bachelor’s or master’s degree)
- Median annual salary: $102,270
- Dentists
- Job growth through 2030: 8 percent
- Job openings annually through 2030: 5,000
- Typical entry-level education required: Doctorate
- Median annual salary: $163,220
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Job growth through 2030: 8 percent
- Job openings annually through 2030: 9,400
- Typical entry-level education required: Bachelor’s degree
- Median annual salary: $76,530
- Medical Scientists
- Job growth through 2030: 17 percent
- Job openings annually through 2030: 12,600
- Typical entry-level education required: Doctorate
- Median annual salary: $95,310
- Pharmacists
- Job growth through 2030: -2 percent
- Job openings annually through 2030: 11,300
- Typical entry-level education required: Doctorate
- Median annual salary: $128,570
More information about careers for biochemistry majors is available from the American Chemical Society.
Get Started on Your Biochemistry Career Today
If you want hands-on training that prepares you for a variety of career and educational opportunities, apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s biochemistry program today. If you have questions, you can contact the program’s dedicated academic advisor, Cydnee Robertson. You can contact her at [email protected] or schedule an appointment.