Difficulty

Moderately challenging

Share of students at each rating

Class-year breakdown needs more responses.It appears after at least two class years have 5 difficulty ratings each.

What makes this major demanding?

Worth it?

92% would recommend it

Recommend

“… Most biochemistry majors attend medical school or the MD/PhD program after their undergraduate career. But overall I would recommend this major only if you are very very very interested in both chemistry and biology and also the intensive amounts of labs to do.”

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Anonymous studentFreshman
Recommend
Don’t recommend

“Biochemistry is for students that actually like chemistry and enjoy the theoretical aspects of biology that then relate back to it all. I do not recommend for those that are looking for a broad major to open up their interests because of how heavy the workload is. This senator u have to take calc 2, molecular biology, and organic chemistry all in the same sem.”

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Anonymous studentSophomore
Don’t recommend

1–2 of 3

Students’ starting certainty

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MixedDifficulty & workload

“It’s difficult but rewarding. There is a lot of math and science.”

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Anonymous studentFreshman
3.0

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Student paths

How students switch into and out of Biochemistry

Came from

Share of switchers
Biochemistry

Went to

Share of leavers

Where students came from is based on Biochemistry reviews. Students who left are counted from other majors’ reviews, so they aren’t among these respondents.

What you will study and do

Curriculum and careers

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It combines principles of chemistry and biology to understand cellular processes, enzyme functions, and genetic information, equipping students with skills to pursue careers in research, healthcare, and biotechnology.

Core course themes

General Chemistry

Covers fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical bonding, and reactions.

Organic Chemistry

Focuses on the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and materials.

Biochemistry I

Introduces the study of biomolecules, enzyme kinetics, and the biochemical pathways of cells.

Biochemistry II

Explores metabolism, nucleic acids, and the regulation of biochemical processes in more depth.

Molecular Biology

Examines the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

Analytical Chemistry

Teaches techniques for analyzing chemical compounds, emphasizing quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Common roles

  • Biochemist
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Biotechnology Analyst
  • Forensic Scientist

Why salary figures are not shownSalary data appears only when its source, geography, occupation mapping, and date can be verified.

Biochemistry by school

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Community

Big questions in Biochemistry

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Student reviews

12 reviews

Difficulty & workloadPositive

I personally really enjoy learning about chemistry. However, I picked biochemistry because there’s one less physics class to take than a chem major. Learning about the concepts is difficult but the application in a laboratory setting could be more challenging. The workload is heavy and very challenging, but I enjoy this challenge. The good part is that there’s not too much math to do, besides the calc 1&2 requirement for biochemistry majors at USC. The faculty is supportive and professional, some are really good that teaching and are always happy to help. It might be hard to get internships/research opportunities because USC is such a big school, and therefore the competitive is intensive. Most biochemistry majors attend medical school or the MD/PhD program after their undergraduate career. But overall I would recommend this major only if you are very very very interested in both chemistry and biology and also the intensive amounts of labs to do.

Anonymous studentFreshman
Difficulty
5.0/5
Workload
5.0/5
Jul 2025
Difficulty & workloadCritical

Biochemistry is for students that actually like chemistry and enjoy the theoretical aspects of biology that then relate back to it all. I do not recommend for those that are looking for a broad major to open up their interests because of how heavy the workload is. This senator u have to take calc 2, molecular biology, and organic chemistry all in the same sem.

Anonymous studentSophomore
Difficulty
5.0/5
Workload
5.0/5
Oct 2025
Difficulty & workloadPositive

hardest class is organic chemistry. double majoring with math, classes are much easier for biochemistry/lifesciences-more memorization heavy

Switched from Molecular Biology

Anonymous studentSophomore
Difficulty
1.0/5
Workload
1.0/5
Apr 2026
Difficulty & workloadMixed

It is one of the longer majors and has several weeders. People freak out about it a lot but you just need to be calm and probably sacrifice some other things for studying.

Anonymous studentSophomore
Difficulty
4.0/5
Workload
4.0/5
Apr 2026
Enjoyment & fitPositive

Less math prereqs than I thought. Pretty fun major

Anonymous studentFreshman
Enjoyment
4.0/5
Apr 2026
Difficulty & workloadMixed

It’s difficult but rewarding. There is a lot of math and science.

  • Interested in Engineering · Tech & software +2
  • Unsure about grad school
Anonymous studentFreshman
Difficulty
3.0/5
Workload
3.0/5
Oct 2026
Enjoyment & fitPositive

It's so fun! it challenges your ability to study and think. So many interesting concepts! I am excited to go to grad school, and would 100% recommend to others.

Anonymous studentFreshman
Enjoyment
5.0/5
Oct 2025
Difficulty & workloadCritical

Very tough, it is going to be a lot of studying, a lot of procrastinating, and a lot of regretting the procrastinating

Anonymous studentSophomore
Difficulty
4.0/5
Workload
4.0/5
Oct 2025
Enjoyment & fitPositive

It is very interesting, make sure to stay on top of everything.

Anonymous studentFreshman
Enjoyment
3.0/5
Apr 2026
Enjoyment & fitPositive

My passion for biochemistry comes from my father. Taking chemistry in high school opened my eyes to the world of the physical sciences

Anonymous studentFreshman
Enjoyment
5.0/5
Oct 2025
Enjoyment & fitPositive

I love biology and i love chem. Biochemistry is great!!!

Anonymous studentFreshman
Enjoyment
4.0/5
Apr 2026
Courses & teachingPositive

I haven’t had much experience tbh but excited to learn more! I love the courses and potential opportunities

Anonymous studentFreshman
Math
3.0/5
Writing
2.0/5
Oct 2025

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