Biology-Chemistry
Doctor, pharmacist, dentist–these careers and many more depend upon an understanding of biology, chemistry and how the two interact.
Prepare for a Health Care Career With Expertise in Both Biology and Chemistry
Manchester University’s Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry is half a biology degree and half a chemistry degree, with a special focus on the chemical reactions occurring in our own bodies.
With this knowledge, you can pursue any number of health care professions, from doctor to pharmacist to veterinarian, as well as teach or pursue research.
Between our rigorous curriculum, dedicated advising and experiential learning opportunities, we’re committed to setting you up for future success.
Program Information:
Major | BS
- 59-63 Credit Hours
Location
- North Manchester
We went to Guatemala, and… shadowed doctors as they helped Indigenous communities. Because I am fluent in Spanish, I was an interpreter… alongside the doctor and another interpreter that would go from Mayan to Spanish.
Brisa Arriaga-Banda, Biology-Chemistry, Class of 2022
Why Choose MU for Biology-Chemistry?
Opportunities for hands-on experience
Every biochemistry major will complete an internship, practicum or research experience before they graduate, guaranteeing opportunities for hands-on practice.
Interested in getting even more experience on your resume? We also offer a special medical practicum during January session in which you can work in a health care clinic in an underserved community in Central America.
Focus on career preparation
A class on STEM careers and a career-focused senior seminar are both required for the biology-chemistry major. That’s in addition to robust advising informed by the nuances of the health care profession you’re more interested in.
Small class sizes
Classes for this major are generally 15–30 students, and our faculty are dedicated to cultivating a culture of accessibility. This means you’ll get ample face-to-face time with your professors, especially since labs are always taught by professors and never graduate students.
Numerous learning resources
We have everything you need to delve deep into the world of biochemistry, including fully equipped labs with professional-grade appliances. Plus, you’ll have access to all the same high-level scientific literature as our Pharm.D. students.
Research opportunities
Choose from several summer research opportunities, including the Faculty-Student Summer Research Program, the Miller Student Research Scholarship and the Biology Summer Research internship. Spend your summers getting hands-on experience in biochemistry while working closely with our expert faculty.
Early Acceptance
Manchester University helps you think about the next step now. Undergraduate students enrolled in the Biology-Chemistry Program can take advantage of MU’s unique partnership with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to gain early acceptance into the LECOM Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or Doctor of Podiatric Medicine programs.
Early Assurance
Manchester University Fort Wayne provides a seamless transition from the undergraduate program into pursuing your Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Pharmacogenomics, or earning a dual degree combining both these disciplines.
What You Can Do with Your Biology-Chemistry Degree
Agronomist
Studies soil and crops to improve agricultural growth and yield.
Forester
Manages forests for health, conservation, and sustainable resource use.
Pharmacist
Prepares, dispenses, and advises on safe, effective medication use.
Physician
Carefully diagnoses, compassionately treats, and expertly manages patients’ complex medical conditions.
Average Starting Salary for Biology-Chemistry Degree Holders
Earnings potential is significant for people who complete a biology-chemistry major. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), doctors make a median salary of $229,300, dentists a median salary of $159,530 and pharmacists a median salary of $132,750.
If you choose to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, you’ll still be able to earn a comfortable living. The BLS found that graduates with a biology major earn an average of about $70,000 a year, while chemists earn an average of $81,810.
Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics using the median salary for doctors
Career outlook for Biology-Chemistry majors
Our biology–chemistry students graduate fully prepared to either enter the workforce or pursue an advanced degree. Notably, our graduates’ acceptance rate to medical school is especially high at 79 percent–a big difference from the national average of 40–45 percent.
Meanwhile, we have an 88 percent acceptance rate to dental school, a 99 percent acceptance rate to pharmacy school and a 96 percent acceptance rate to other health care professional schools.
How the Biology-Chemistry Program Supports Your Growth
Classes
The curriculum for the biology-chemistry major combines the best of biology and chemistry, as well as a few physics courses to round out your studies. Learn foundational scientific concepts, including microbiology, anatomy and dedicated courses in biochemistry.
Then, conclude your four years with an experiential learning course that takes the form of an internship, research project or practicum experience. This guarantees you’ll get some real-world experience before graduation, making you a more attractive candidate to employers and graduate schools.
View all required classes for the Biology-Chemistry program.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Acceptance Program
Manchester University has partnered with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) to establish an Early Acceptance Program for students pursuing professional degrees in osteopathic medicine, dentistry or podiatry after their undergraduate studies have been completed. The three professional programs open to Manchester students are LECOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
While at MU
Phase I is the time spent enrolled in the Early Acceptance Program at Manchester University, completing an MU bachelor’s degree with at least 60 credit hours of full-time study at MU.
While at LECOM
Phase II is the time spent at LECOM and its associated clinical training sites.
Who Can Qualify?
LECOM will interview students prior to their enrollment at Manchester or within the first two years of study there. Each academic year, LECOM will accept up to the number of qualified students in the Early Acceptance Program as seen below:
- 5 students into the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program
- 5 students into the Doctor of Dental Medicine program
- 2 students into the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program.
LECOM Locations
LECOM, with campuses in Pennsylvania, Florida and New York, is the nation’s largest medical college and provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of health care professionals. Manchester is one of just three higher education institutions in Indiana affiliated with LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program.
Pre-Pharmacy
Is Pharmacy in your Future?
If you’ve yet to start college and you’re thinking about a career in pharmacy, here is some helpful information how to get there:
All pharmacists must attend an accredited pharmacy school for four years to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) professional degree.
To qualify for admission into pharmacy school, you’ll first need to complete a pre-pharmacy curriculum at an undergraduate institution. You can do this in two years if you work hard and get good grades, so it’s possible to get your Pharm.D. degree in six years. Some students choose to complete a bachelor’s degree, which typically requires four years of undergraduate study, but it’s not required to apply for pharmacy school.
You can choose either path at Manchester, or you can enroll in our Fast Forward track and earn a bachelor’s degree, along with the credits to apply to pharmacy school, in just three years.
Whichever track you choose, you should know that admission to pharmacy school is not automatic. You’ll apply and compete against other bright and motivated students for a limited number of seats. A personal interview will decide if you’re to be granted admission based on your grades and potential to succeed at the next level.
Pharmacists must also be licensed, which requires passing two exams after graduation from pharmacy school.
Why Manchester for Pre-Pharmacy?
Manchester has a longstanding tradition for excellence in the sciences and preparing students for careers in health care. Our graduates are accepted into medical school and other health care programs at rates much higher than the national average.
Our biology-chemistry curriculum is structured for flexibility with key science classes front-loaded in your first two years. If you should decide pharmacy isn’t for you, you can change to a related career path that builds on all your earned science credits.
If you meet the requirements to enroll in our Early Assurance Program when starting your pre-pharmacy track, you can reserve a seat early in Manchester’s Doctor of Pharmacy. That’s a great reason to think Manchester for both pre-pharmacy and pharmacy!
Connect with Admissions
A great way to learn more about our undergraduate pre-pharmacy program is to fill out an inquiry form and make your connection to our Admissions Office. Or feel free to call 800-852-3648
Pharmacy Early Assurance Program
If you’re an incoming first-year undergraduate student interested in pursuing a path to becoming a pharmacist, the Pharmacy Early Assurance Program can help you get there more confidently, more assuredly.
Meet the Faculty
Matthew Davis
Chemistry Lab Coordinator and Chemical Hygiene Officer
Dr Terrie Salupo-Bryant
Associate Professor of Chemistry (Shared)
Dr Sabrina Brown
Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
Dr Jeffrey Osborne
Professor of Chemistry, Director of the Biology-Chemistry Program, and Director of Medical Practicum
Dr Aron Costello-Harris
Associate Professor of Biology
FAQs About Manchester University’s Biology-Chemistry Degree
What is the structure of the Biology-Chemistry major?
What support is available for first-year students?
How does the program support students in preparing for their careers?
A class on STEM careers and a career-focused senior seminar are both required for the biology-chemistry major. That’s in addition to robust advising informed by the nuances of the health care profession you’re more interested in.
Biology-Chemistry Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Students will explore major biological, chemical, and physical sub disciplines and learn corresponding laboratory techniques.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will apply biological, chemical, and physical concepts in a variety of lab exercises.
- Students will master biological, chemical, and physical concepts from the molecular to the organismal level.
2. Students will develop professionalism.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will produce a CV or resume, and personal statement.
- Students will give oral presentations.
3. Students will acquire the ability to critically read, evaluate, and integrate.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will read and evaluate concepts presented in scientific literature.
- Students will apply course-related concepts to address complex problems.
4. Students will apply biological, chemical, and physical knowledge addressing societal issues.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will integrate from biological, chemical, and physical knowledge to make interdisciplinary connections with science and non-science fields.
- Students will demonstrate an awareness of the impact of biology, chemistry, and physics on the environment, society and other cultures outside the scientific community.
Non-Discrimination in the Admission Process
Manchester University is committed to non-discrimination in campus life. The University does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, ancestry, race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, disability or veteran status in admissions or any area of campus life, including its educational programs, scholarships and loan awards, residence life programs, athletic programs, extracurricular programs, promotion and tenure policies and practice, and alumni affairs.
Manchester University is committed to carry out the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which provide for accessibility of University programs to the physically disabled.