Should I study biochemistry?

Have you ever reached for medicine from your cabinet when battling a cold or cough, hoping it would ease your symptoms? Have you ever wondered how these drugs actually work?

If this sparks your curiosity, biochemistry could be the perfect field for you!

Biochemists study chemical processes within and related to living organisms.

The job merges biology and chemistry to explain life at the molecular level.

Its main objective is to analyze processes relating to key biological functions such as growth, reproduction, and adaptation. When I chose to study biochemistry, I was surprised to find that it included math! Nevertheless, I genuinely enjoyed learning biochemistry.

It's a good fit if you:

• Enjoy both biology and chemistry (and don’t mind math)

• Like problem-solving and logical thinking

• Are curious about cellular processes

• Are open to careers in science, healthcare, research, or industry

Less ideal if you:

• Strongly dislike chemistry or lab work

• Prefer purely theoretical or non-science fields

• Want a career with minimal additional training after a bachelor’s degree

Biochemistry brings together concepts from biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

This major is content-heavy and you’ll devote plenty of time to laboratory work — so it's definitely going to be a lot of work!

The video below compares a biochemistry program to chemistry and biology majors, and some of the courses you'll take:

Knowledge and Skills You'll Gain

After completing this degree, you will gain several skills that are highly transferable beyond pure science roles.

Core Knowledge

• Proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids

• Metabolism and cellular pathways

• Molecular biology (DNA, RNA, gene expression)

• Bioenergetics and cell signaling

• Basics of immunology, pharmacology, and genetics

Practical and Transferable Skills

• Laboratory techniques (pipetting, spectroscopy, chromatography, PCR)

• Data analysis and interpretation

• Scientific writing and presentations

• Critical thinking and problem-solving

• Attention to detail and experimental design

A degree in biochemistry offers a broad range of career opportunities. Graduates may pursue roles in research, healthcare, education, or law, among other fields.

Education, Communication & Policy

If you enjoy teaching, writing, or outreach, you may be interested in these careers:

• high school science teacher

• college instructor/professor

• curriculum developer

• science communicator

• medical/scientific writer

• science policy analyst

• STEM outreach coordinator

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

For applied science, innovation, and industry, check out these careers:

• research scientist

• quality control (QC) analyst

• quality assurance (QA) specialist

• regulatory affairs specialist

• clinical research associate (CRA)

• medical science liaison (MSL)

• bioprocess/manufacturing scientist

Business, Law & Consulting

For science-minded students who want business or legal impact:

• patent examiner/patent Agent

• life science consultant

• product manager (biotech)

• technical sales/sales engineer

• healthcare management

• biotech startup founder

Research & Laboratory Careers

For people who like experiments, problem-solving, and discovery:

• research assistant/associate

• laboratory technician

• drug discovery scientist

• biotech/pharmaceutical scientist

• clinical research scientist

• principal investigator (with PhD)

Data, Tech & Analytical Careers

For biochemistry majors who like numbers, coding, and systems:

• bioinformatics analyst

• computational biologist

• biostatistician (with MS)

• health data analyst

• AI/drug modeling scientist

Environmental, Food & Industrial Science

For real-world problem solvers:

• food scientist

• agricultural biochemist

• environmental scientist

• industrial chemist

• forensic scientist

If you’re considering whether studying biochemistry is valuable, the answer is generally yes. Still, it’s important to be realistic — it really depends on what you hope to achieve with the degree.

To prepare for a biochemistry major, you need to have a strong foundation in all of the sciences. Be sure to:

• Master general and organic chemistry, cell biology, and essential math.

• Focus on electives: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus (AB/BC), and AP Physics.

• Sharpen your analytical skills for lab work and data analysis.  

• Take computer courses such as Python to give you a good head start.

• Take statistics as one of your courses.

• Practice reading scientific articles.

• Do independent research on topics you're interested in, if possible.

Apart from doing coursework, try to expose yourself to practical science experiences:

• Build connections by talking to teachers about your interest and ask if you can shadow them during lab preparations.

• Attend science fairs and actively participate in science clubs.

• Join science summer programs to get hands-on experience with lab work.

• Look for volunteer programs in science, internships, online programs, etc.

• Talk to current biochemistry majors to really understand the expectations and their experiences.

It may seem overwhelming. However, if you are motivated to pursue biochemistry as your major, the challenges can be managed effectively by developing strong study habits. This means balancing academics with self-care!

Quiz: Is Biochemistry Right for Daniel?

Daniel is a high school student who is interested in becoming a biochemist, because he wants to work in healthcare one day. He recently started an advanced chemistry class and is finding it much harder than he expected. After doing poorly on his first test, he feels discouraged and wonders if a science career is “not for him.”

1. Set clear goals: Talk to career counselors, family members, seniors, and people who are working in the field you are interested in to really get a clear picture of your goal.

2. Plan your day: Plan out your daily tasks ahead of time This will help you mentally compartmentalize your daily tasks rather than getting overwhelmed.

3. Prioritize: Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable tasks and then prioritizing them will help you navigate through different coursework easily.

4. Avoid procrastination: This is truly invaluable! Break your tasks into manageable goals with their own deadlines, and work steadily toward each one. Experiencing these small wins will keep you motivated along the way.

5. Ask for help: Don't hesitate to ask for help from mentors, family, or friends when you get overwhelmed.

6. Take care of your physical and mental health: Eat well, sleep well, and take time to exercise to help your body cope with any kind of stressful situations.

Now that you've considered both the opportunities in biochemistry and the dedication needed to major in it, take some time to reflect on these aspects before making your decision.

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash