化学系提供了通往生物化学理学学士学位的选择。生物化学是对生命系统化学的研究。因此，它适合化学和生物学的传统领域，生物化学家必须在这两个领域都接受过良好的培训。生化研究包括与构成生命系统的物质的形成和分解有关的化学过程，以及与运动，信号传递和生物繁殖有关的过程。对生物化学过程的了解有助于使用重组DNA技术生产新药和农产品。生物化学是化学领域的最新分支。在过去的30年中，它取得了巨大的增长。仍然活着的人已经掌握了大多数生化知识。生物化学的研究导致人们对生活系统的多样性以及各种生物中代谢过程的相似性产生了赞赏。
The WIU Department of Chemistry offers an option leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living systems. As such, it fits between the traditional fields of chemistry and biology, and biochemists must be well-trained in both fields. Biochemistry includes the study of chemical processes involved in the formation and breakdown of substances which make up living systems, as well as the processes involved in movement, transmission of signals and reproduction of organisms. An understanding of biochemical processes has contributed to the production of new drugs and agricultural products using recombinant DNA technology. Biochemistry is a unique branch of chemistry. It has seen enormous growth in the past 30 years with applications in biotechnology. Most biochemical knowledge has been generated by individuals who are still living. The study of biochemistry leads to an appreciation for the diversity of living systems, as well as the similarity of the metabolic processes occurring in those diverse organisms. Biochemical knowledge is also having a profound influence on areas as diverse as medicine and agriculture. As the mechanisms by which diseases destroy living systems are explained, new medical treatments can be developed. New varieties of plants are being produced that resist pests and can resist weed killers. New information is rapidly being transferred from the research laboratory to practical application. The WIU Department of Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry. The ACS, with over 120,000 members, is the largest scientific society in the country. In addition to certification of undergraduate programs, it publishes many primary chemical journals such as “Chemical Abstracts.” Of the country’s 2,000 undergraduate chemistry programs, fewer than 500 meet ACS certification requirements.