Program type:

Major
Teaching Certification
Format:

On Campus
Est. time to complete:

4 Semesters (Concurrent With Your Degree)
Credit Hours:

120
Uncover the hidden workings of the biological machinery of life and get hands-on experiences teaching in the classroom.
UNT's Department of Biological Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry to provide a strong foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology. Our B.A. program offers the flexibility to support careers in teaching, medicine and other non-research focused pursuits.

Want more info?

We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Request More Info

Why Earn a Biochemistry Degree with Teacher Certification?

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biochemistry is a four-year major designed to prepare students to teach sciences at the high school level in the areas of biochemistry, chemistry and biology. Additionally, the program serves well those who wish to go into medicine, dentistry or other biologically related professional programs of study.

As a Biochemistry major, you’ll take courses focusing on:

  • Cell biology
  • Chemical reactions
  • Compounds and solutions of chemical elements
  • Macromolecules
  • Metabolic pathways
  • Molecular biology of genes
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry
  • Quantitative analysis in chemistry

The B.A. allows a less structured curriculum with more elective options than the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

Our success is measured through your achievements as well as the quality of our intellectual contributions to the improvement of society. You’ll learn from faculty members who are dedicated to excellence and represent a wide range of research interests. Many have been honored nationally by various organizations.

Through our affiliation with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance, we provide you with opportunities to receive hands-on experience in complex research at the undergraduate level.

You may also receive course credit by working on a project in one of our research centers or laboratories. For example, you may study plant biochemistry in the BioDiscovery Institute. In addition, you can pursue research in avian genomes, cyanide biodegradation, molecular motors and the response of organisms to stress.

Marketable Skills
  • Oral and written communication
  • Application of the scientific method
  • Operation of modern analytical instrumentation
  • Data organization and interpretation
  • In-depth knowledge of biochemistry
  • Scientific communication and presentation skills
  • Teaching and learning strategies

 

Biochemistry Degree with Teacher Certification Highlights

UNT’s Life Sciences Complex is a state-of-the-art research facility for biochemistry. It features an open research laboratory concept, a climate-controlled rooftop greenhouse for advanced plant science research and an aquatics lab that incorporates fresh and saltwater facilities.
UNT Career Center helps students find learning opportunities and real-world work experience through over 4,000 employers.
Through a generous grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the UNT-HHMI Undergraduate Research Program offers current UNT junior and senior biology and biochemistry majors the opportunity to engage in a PAID research experience in the laboratory of an active UNT researcher for up to one year.
Our Careers in the Life Sciences program includes information about careers choices, career preparation, survival skills and how to become involved in research labs.
The Teach North Texas Program helps students interested in teaching science achieve teacher certification.
We also administer a joint program with the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth that allows you to combine college and medical school. This saves you time and money by reducing the usual eight-year program to seven.

Career Outlook

Many of our students complete the program in preparation for medical school. Other potential employers include:

  • Agricultural chemical manufacturers
  • Biotechnology companies
  • Consulting agencies
  • Cosmetic manufacturers
  • Educational institutions
  • Environmental organizations and labs
  • Food manufacturers
  • Independent research firms
  • Pharmaceutical companies

Once you complete the program, you will qualify to test for secondary teaching certification and teach in public or private schools.

With some additional course work, this major also will help prepare you to enter dental, medical or veterinary school or a training program to become an allied health care professional.

Biochemistry Degree with Teacher Certification Courses You Could Take

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Gene (3 hrs)
Mechanisms and regulation of genetic expression, chromosome replication, mutagenesis and DNA repair, and gene cloning in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
Organic Chemistry (3 hrs)
Structure, nomenclature, occurrence and uses of main classes of organic compounds; functional groups and their interconversion; character of chemical bonding; stereochemistry; structure and reactivity; acid/base reactions, resonance, inductive and steric effects; reaction mechanisms.
Microbiology (3 hrs)
Survey of the microbial world; classification, ecology, morphology and physiology of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms.
Knowing and Learning in Mathematics, Science and Computer Science (3 hrs)
Psychological foundations of learning. Problem solving in mathematics, science and computer science education, including utilization of technology. Principles of expertise and novice understanding of subject matter. Implications of high-stakes testing. Foundations of formative and summative assessment.
Classroom Interactions (3 hrs)
Principles of delivering effective instruction in various formats (lecture, lab activity, collaborative settings). Examination of gender, class, race and culture in mathematics, science and computer science education. Overview of policy related to mathematics, science and computer science education. This course requires approximately 10 hours of fieldwork in schools. Candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
Apprentice Teaching in a secondary school (7 hrs)
Teaching under supervision. Discussions include apprentice teaching experience. Contemporary critical issues in education. Preparation for the state certification exam. Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Learn More About UNT

Watch this video to learn more about what makes UNT great!