Academic Accelerator Program (AAP) is a balanced first-year program for international students with good English-language skills. It supplements immersive classes taught in English with just the right amount of support.

As a student in the Academic Accelerator, you’ll receive:

• The right amount of support for your academic and English-speaking needs
• A full year’s worth of college credits
• Access to courses exclusively for international students
• English-language help with words you need to know for your classes
• A mix of classes with international and U.S. students

Founded in 1964, the Department of Chemistry of the University of Illinois at Chicago is an internationally recognized center of excellence both in research and teaching.

Chemistry Department stands out for:

• 27 research active faculty across all disciplines mentor 145 PhD graduate students.
• The 30th best in Federal Funding out of 243 Chemistry Departments nationwide,
• The 39th highest ranked department in publication productivity out of 243 nationwide.
• Developed Prezista (darunavir), which led to the most successful patent in U. of I. history.
• Currently funded by the NIH, NSF, US Army, American Chemical Society and many others.

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree program is certified by the American Chemical Society and endorsed by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This degree program is designed to prepare students for a professional career in biochemistry. The B.S. degree in Biochemistry provides the best program for further graduate study in biochemistry and professional schools of dentistry and medicine.

Students in biochemistry major are also strongly encouraged to participate in research during their undergraduate careers. Research provides an opportunity to apply the principles learned in the classroom to an original problem. It is an invaluable asset for further graduate or professional studies. In addition, prospective employers strongly value the undergraduate research experience.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum Level of Education Required: Grade 12 / High School
• Min GPA: 63.0% Convert grades
• English Proficiency Requirements:
  For direct admission, applicant must be from an English speaking country or meet either of the following English test scores:

  • Min TOEFL iBT: 68 (Min Listening: 14.0, Min Reading: 14.0, Min Speaking: 14.0, Min Writing: 14.0)

  • Min IELTS overall: 5.5 (Min Listening: 5.0, Min Reading: 5.0, Min Speaking: 5.0, Min Writing: 5.0)

  • Min Duolingo English Test Score: 90

  • Min PTE overall: 46 (Min Listening: 42, Min Reading: 42, Min Speaking: 42, Min Writing: 42)

  This program does NOT offer conditional admission

Other fees:

• Health Insurance Fee: $1,140 per year
• Student Fees: $2,038 per year
• Academic Facilities Maintenance Fund Assessment Fee: $452 per year
• Library and Information Technology Assessment Fee: $294 per year