What Jobs can you get with a Biochemistry Degree?

This post provides detailed information on some of the best jobs you can get with a biochemistry degree, including the duties they commonly perform.

Are you thinking of completing a biochemistry degree, but would want to know what jobs you can get after completing the program?

If you answered yes to the question, then you are on the right page.

This post provides detailed information of what you can do with a degree in biochemistry, including the jobs and career you can pursue and succeed on.

What is Biochemistry?

Ever wondered how you managed to act so quickly when you heard your car was about to be towed off the parking space?
Well, the brain relayed electrical messages as stimuli to the neurons which became depolarized enough to create an action potential resulting in a consequent impulse.

Not to sound so technical, everyday life process, ranging from feeding to talking, moving and thinking are all chemical processes that revolve around the subject biochemistry.

Biochemistry, an important branch of science with focus on the chemical basis of life, reveals the nitty-gritty behind the activities of living organisms, ranging from complex multi-celled animals to simple unicellular protozoa.

The field of biochemistry has played a vital role in medicine, agriculture, genetics, and biology fields.

It is through biochemistry techniques that pathology of any illness/disease is studied; hormonal imbalance is also resolved employing biochemical methods same as the knowledge we have about photosynthesis, effect of various food classes, drug metabolism, and toxicity.

Benefits of a Biochemistry Degree

A biochemistry degree furnishes graduates with an array of skills such as the ability to communicate effectively, to think critically, solve complex problems, and to conduct laboratory analysis to mention but a few.

It educates students on the concepts of biology, chemistry, mathematics, technology, medicine, and various other subjects thus preparing them for job positions in numerous sciences, I.T, administration, and education fields.

A biochemistry major is fairly popular among students in the U.S as it ranked 88th most popular college degree out of 200 others awarded through 2013-2014 as published by MatchCollege.

What can you do with Biochemistry Associate’s Degree?

To pursue a career in the biochemistry field, you can opt for a 2-year Associate’s program which exposes you to the basics of chemical reactions, science of living things, technology and research.

It prepares you for further bachelor’s studies in the field or opens the door to various jobs and career opportunities such as:

• Medical Laboratory Technician: Their duties involve various laboratory tasks such as preparation of samples/specimen, carrying out laboratory analysis and presentation of results. They ensure an organized laboratory setting, maintenance of laboratory equipment, stocking of the laboratory and assisting a laboratory scientist with general analytical and administrative duties. See detailed medical laboratory technician job description.
• Pharmacy Technician: They assist pharmacists with the preparation and supply of prescription for patients, they ensure proper arrangement of stock, maintenance of records, fixing appointments, and communicating directly with patients. See detailed pharmacy technician job description.
• Research Assistant: Their responsibilities include aiding research scientists with the gathering of information regarding a case study. They utilize various means to obtain data, including using internet resource, carrying out surveys, and studying various publications and documents.

What can you do with a Biochemistry Bachelor’s Degree?

With a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, graduates can have more career opportunities in the science field to qualify for job positions as:

• Forensic Scientist: They specialize in the collection and analysis of crime scene evidence used in the investigation of a criminal case. They collect on-scene samples such as hair, blood, body fluids, and weapons and they use scientific methods in the laboratory to confirm or refute that a suspect committed a crime. See detailed forensic scientist job description.
• Clinical Biochemists: They work in the healthcare industry where they perform various analyses to aid the treatment of diseases in patients. They use technological equipment such as spectrophotometer and chromatographic methods to sample body fluids to determine the cause of illness. They also work with clinical and technical staff in carrying out research.
• Health and Safety Inspector: They specialize in providing professional guidance to clients on ways to achieve safe workplace conditions. They carry out survey on an industrial site to proffer expert recommendations of good health and safety practices.
• Science Writer: Their duties entail carrying out research and penning down their research findings in the form of articles, journals or academic publications.

The annual salary of biochemistry baccalaureates are pegged at a range of $37,249-$72,683 for female earners and $41,383-$87,012 for males.

With advanced degrees in the biochemistry field, one achieves expert status and can occupy top level research and academic job positions.

What can you do with a Biochemistry Master’s or Doctorate Degree?

With a Master’s or Doctorate degree in biochemistry, you are well positioned to overcome the stiff competition in the job market, as well as advantaged for increased earnings in jobs such as:

• Product Developer: They bear the responsibility of developing new product ideas. They are part of a marketing and manufacturing team, and they utilize technological and engineering skills to develop bio-products.
• Pharmaceutical Researcher: They specialize in carrying out research to develop new drug formulations. They are part of the team that studies the activities of a new or existing drug, how it metabolizes and is absorbed in the body.
• Quality Manager: They perform managerial duties of overseeing the affairs of a company’s quality management system. They ensure that production raw materials meet the required specification; they monitor the production process to ensure quality policies are maintained. See detailed quality assurance manager job description.

The salary of biochemists with Master’s degree is estimated to be $66,000 for females and $69,795 for males.

Doctorate degree holders are on the other hand projected to earn as much as $69,000 and $77,425 for female and male earners respectively.

Conclusion

A biochemistry degree generally holds a favorable job prospects as it provides a platform for an individual to get a job and start a career in several science, technology and business fields.