Biochemistry, Minor
Build critical thinking and problem-solving skills for medicine, health, research and biotechnology. Gain hands-on analytical biochemistry lab work and strengthen graduate or professional school applications with real depth in the life sciences.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minor description
Biochemistry minor description
The minor program in biochemistry is designed to give you a solid grounding in the basics of biochemistry to complement your major degree program. It's especially appropriate if your major is in the various disciplines of life sciences, physics, engineering and geology, and if you are planning a career in the fields of medicine and health.
Why earn a biochemistry minor at ASU?
Housed in ASU's School of Molecular Sciences, this minor is shaped by faculty who treat chemistry and biochemistry as modern, interdisciplinary molecular sciences tied to medicine and health. You learn from the same instructors who teach ASU's full biochemistry degree programs, opening the door to their research expertise and a rigorous curriculum that reaches far past a surface-level introduction to the field.
Additional details
Within the School of Molecular Sciences, you can join student organizations created for chemistry and biochemistry students, including the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and the Women in Biochemistry Club. ASU Online students can gain hands-on research through the OURS program, which pairs online learners with mentored, group-based research projects wherever they live and can also join the IDEAS Student Society, a community centered on inclusion, diversity, education and advocacy in science.
Courses
This undergraduate minor includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The minor requires 28 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the minor, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
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The minor in biochemistry requires 28 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the minor requirements. |
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CHM 113 General Chemistry I
(SCIT)
OR CHM 117 General Chemistry for Majors I (SCIT) AND CHM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory for Majors I (SCIT)
4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 4 |
|
CHM 116 General Chemistry II
(SCIT)
OR CHM 118 General Chemistry for Majors II (SCIT) AND CHM 112 General Chemistry Laboratory for Majors II (SCIT)
4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 4 |
|
CHM 233 General Organic Chemistry I
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CHM 237 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
1 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 1 |
|
CHM 234 General Organic Chemistry II
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CHM 238 General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
1 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 1 |
|
BCH 341 Physical Chemistry with a Biological Focus
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BCH 461 General Biochemistry I
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BCH 462 General Biochemistry II
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
BCH 467 Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
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ASU Online students pursing this minor are required to travel to Tempe campus to complete compressed organic chemistry and biochemistry laboratory courses.
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Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
Incompatible Majors: BS in applied biological sciences (all concentrations); BA and BS in biochemistry; BS in biochemistry (medicinal chemistry); BS in biological sciences (genetics, cell and developmental biology); BS in biological sciences (neurobiology, physiology and behavior); BA and BS in chemistry; BS in chemistry (environmental chemistry); BS in forensic science; BS in health sciences (preprofessional); BS in medical studies; BS in neuroscience
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this biochemistry minor prepares you for
Minor programs enable students to develop additional competencies that complement the marketable knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors
A minor in biochemistry can help students as they pursue careers in medicine and health, chemical and biotechnology industries, research, government laboratories, environmental and food science, teaching and many other technical areas.
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Molecular Sciences
|
PSC 116
SMSadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7667
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
