Undergraduate Major
Biochemistry, B.S.
As a biochemistry major at Alvernia, you’ll learn more than what is contained in textbooks. You’ll experience “real-world learning” that will enable you to link your classroom experiences to the larger community and the world. In addition, Alvernia partners with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to offer an early acceptance program for students who quality to enter the college’s School of Dental Medical, School of Pharmacy or Medical College following completion of their degree at Alvernia.
- Study Format:
-
On-campus
- Credit Hours:
- 123
Achieve More With A Biology Degree
Career Outlook
Fast-Growing Profession
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in biochemistry are expected to grow 9 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than average for all occupations.
High-Earnings Potential
The median salary for the industry in 2024 was $103,650.
Job Prospects
- Traditional laboratory and research settings
- Chemical or pharmaceutical industry
- Research assistant
- Testing and inspection professional
- Quality control technician
- Secondary school teacher
- Scientific editor
- Associate chemist
- Analytical chemist
Graduate School
Graduates might choose to enter graduate school to study pharmacology, physiology, chemistry or biochemistry. Alvernia biochemistry graduates have also pursued further study in dentistry, medical school, pharmacy school, optometry, microbiology, forensic pathology and education.
Program Overview
- Opportunities for Majors
Science Association
The object of this club is to afford an opportunity for the students of science to become better acquainted, to secure the intellectual stimulation that arises from professional association, to obtain experiences in preparing and presenting technical material before chemical audiences, to foster a professional spirit among the members, to instill a professional pride in the sciences, and to build an awareness of the responsibilities and challenges facing the modern scientist. Membership of this association is open to students pursuing their study in the area of science and related fields. Contact Kevin Burns (kevin.burns@alvernia.edu, 610-790-2865) for more information.
Pre-Health Club
The Pre-Health Professions Club includes, but is not limited to, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Physician Assisting, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Pre-Veterinary students. It provides a setting in which students who are working toward future careers in the health professions can get together, share information, learn more about the health professions in general, and develop friendships with students who share some of their interests. Members of this organization are composed of students pursuing study in several areas of science and related health fields.
Environmental Club
The purpose of this student organization is to maintain the temperate deciduous forest, riparian, and freshwater ecosystems about 鶹Ƶ and the community it serves. The organization does this by recruiting new members, educating the public, and holding events that draw attention to the environment. Such events are Eco-Fun Day, trail clean-up days, and hosting public speaker seminars.
Beta Kappa Chi
Beta Kappa Chi is the National Science Honor Society composed of chapters which seek to encourage and advance scientific education through original education, the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the stimulation of high scholarship in pure and applied science.
Epsilon Gamma Chapter of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society
This is a National Scholastic Honor Society for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition.
The Washington Center Experience
Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.
- Application Instructions
Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the or . To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
- Financing Your Education
There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
- Accreditation Statement
Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the . MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.