In March, the University Academic Planning Council (UAPC) approved changes that will move the biochemistry major into the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), instead of the major being shared between CALS and the College of Letters & Science (L&S). The change will be effective as of fall 2026.

For most majors shared by L&S and CALS, departments in both colleges contribute to the program. However, the biochemistry major—including oversight of the program, instruction and student support—has been provided solely by CALS and the Department of Biochemistry. Making CALS the sole home of the biochemistry major will reduce incoming student confusion and create a tighter community of biochemistry undergraduates.

Beginning this fall, students who declare biochemistry as their major will do so through CALS, and the college is preparing for a higher number of incoming biochemistry students this year. Students currently declared in the L&S major will complete their degrees as planned, with the L&S pathway for the major being discontinued in 2031.

Students who are already declared in the major in any school or college will not be affected by this change. CALS excellence in advising, instruction and faculty support will continue, as those, as well as required courses for the major, are not affected by these program changes. Questions about the changes can be directed to the Biochemistry/Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub.