A graduate program leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry has been an interdepartmental major, administered jointly by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Food Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

The aim of the program is to coordinate research activity and to promote interaction between graduate students and staff members engaged in biochemical research. The emphasis of the program is on the molecular aspects of pure and applied systems. The major program is open to students with a variety of backgrounds and career goals.

An undergraduate major in Biology or Chemistry provides for early orientation in the program. However, highly individualized courses of introduction may be arranged for students with undergraduate majors in other fields of science so that a switch to biochemistry at the graduate level is feasible.