Investigate Life at the Cellular and Molecular Level with Viterbo’s Accredited Biochemistry Program
In Viterbo’s biochemistry program, you will embark on an interdisciplinary journey blending biology and chemistry. Through in-depth investigations, you’ll uncover the intricate mechanisms that sustain life at both the cellular and molecular levels. Our courses and labs foster the critical thinking, independence, and creativity needed for a successful career. Our program, accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), equips you for a rewarding future of scientific exploration and discovery, whether you enter a professional position, aspire to pursue graduate studies, or plan to attend medical school.
Explore Viterbo's Biochemistry Degrees
Biochemistry (BS)
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary major that blends biology and chemistry, investigating how life connects at the cellular and molecular levels. Our curriculum requires you to think critically, independently, and creatively. You will be prepared for an outstanding career or study in graduate, professional, or medical school through our courses and labs.
Chemistry (Minor)
A chemistry minor generally requires between 15–25 credits upon completion. Transfer courses, waivers, and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.
Biochemistry Program Highlights and Advantages
Choose Viterbo’s biochemistry major and minor and benefit from:
- Strong focus on grad school preparation. Prepare for graduate studies by taking advantage of our professional school prep courses for exams such as the MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE, and others. We maintain articulation agreements with professional programs, some of which offer 3+1 programs and early acceptance to their programs.
- Ideal location for the study of life sciences. Majors in biology and other life sciences benefit from our La Crosse, Wisc. location. Connect with major hospitals (Gundersen and Mayo) for internships, job shadowing, employment, or other opportunities. Intern with organizations such as the U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi Valley Conservancy, and Genoa National Fish Hatchery. Study the Mississippi River region, including class trips to Mississippi flowage areas.
- World-class scientists on campus. Hear from and engage with renowned expert speakers through our two large symposia—one focused on undergraduate research (Seven Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium) and another on scientific issues that are particularly important to society (Agnes W. H. Tan Science Symposium).
- Career-focused pre-health advising. Meet regularly with a dedicated pre-health faculty mentor about program progression, course selection, internship possibilities, research opportunities, career paths, and more. Advisors receive training through the National Association for Advisors of Health Professionals.
- Scholarships for life science majors. Our competitive Health Science Scholarship provides one student each year with a full-time tuition award and additional scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $12,000. Departmental scholarships are also available for biology majors and other life sciences fields.
- Learning and mentoring from expert faculty. Your study of life sciences will be led by faculty who know your name, have an open-door policy, and focus on your personal and professional development. Collaborate with faculty members whose research interests include:
What Can You Do with Your Biochemistry Degree?
Biology, biochemistry, and neuroscience degree graduates at Viterbo enjoy a 94% acceptance rate into health-related professional schools and a 90% acceptance rate into other graduate programs (compared to a national acceptance rate of 40–60%).
Our science majors have been accepted into professional schools and programs at:
- Arkansas College of Health Education
- Carroll University
- Case Western
- Concordia University
- Creighton
- Illinois College of Optometry
- Kansas University
- LECOM
- Marquette
- Mayo Rochester
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Michigan College of Optometry
- Rosalind Franklin
- St. George’s
- Union College Nebraska
- University of Colorado
- University of Iowa
- University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota-Duluth
- University of South Dakota
- University of Virginia
- UNLV
- UW-La Crosse
- UW-Madison
- UW-Milwaukee
- UW-Stout
Many of our science degree graduates are recruited by employers in areas related to life sciences. Alumni have gone on to work for businesses and organizations such as:
- Area school districts
- Crossing Rivers Healthcare
- Gundersen Health
- Marshfield Clinic
- Mayo Clinic (La Crosse and Rochester)
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Prairie Moon Nursery
- Prevention Genetics
- Quest Diagnostics
- ThermoFisher
- US Fish and Wildlife
- US Geologic Survey
- University of Michigan Health
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Common Careers for Biochemistry Degree Majors
- Environmental scientist
- Forensic chemist
- Medical researcher
- Molecular biologist
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Research scientist
Related Programs
Not the right program for you? Viterbo also offers programs in:
