About the Program

Why This Major Is Relevant

The health care and prescription drug industries in the United States are in the midst of historic growth. In 2016, the U.S. spent $3.3 trillion on health care, or 17.9% of the gross domestic product, and global spending on prescription drugs topped $600 billion per year. China and other emerging markets are expected to increase this demand over the next decade. Job opportunities abound in this market for qualified professionals who are interested in medicine and pharmacology. APU’s biochemistry major uniquely equips graduates to take advantage of this trend.

This program is a component of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, one of the fastest-growing areas of the economy. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13 percent increase in STEM employment from 2012-22, reflecting the consistent need for training in the sciences.

Gain In-depth Learning Experiences

Biochemistry majors are regularly accepted into medical schools nationwide. The research seminar requirement provides students an opportunity to experience the scientific research process firsthand, as they design and implement research alongside faculty-mentors and present findings at conferences on and off campus. This experience ensures that biochemistry students graduate with tangible evidence of their research skills on their résumés, which is critical for acceptance into medical schools.