Biochemistry has developed into a major field with wide range of applications. The understanding of the principles are quintessential for the understanding of fields such as Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Nutrition, Toxicology, etc. The Department of Biochemistry , University of Karachi, the first independent department of Biochemistry of country, was established in 1962. The Department imparts teaching and research leading to B.Sc. (Hons.). M.Sc. M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. Biochemistry is the most competitive and desirable subject for the students of biological sciences. Every year, over a thousand undergraduate students majoring in other biological disciplines opt it as a minor subject.

The department has well equipped laboratories where techniques like High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Column Chromatography, Electrophoresis, Flame Photometry, Freeze Drying, Fluorimetery and Ultra centrifugation, etc are being performed.

In addition to the Dr. Mahmood Hussain Library of the University, the department has its own Dr. Zain Memorial Lending Library. The Lending Library contains more than 1500 titles beside it subscribes to some local and foreign journals.

The department of Biochemistry has a well qualified faculty, most of whom have obtained their training from U.S.A., Germany, U. K., Australia, etc., and are actively engaged in teaching and research in goal oriented fields of Biochemistry e.g. Biochemical Toxicology, Biotechnology, Clinical Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry, Enzymology, Hematology, immunochemistry, Marine Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biophysics, Neurochemistry, Neuropharamacology, Nutrition, etc.

The Graduates of the department are gainfully employed in both local and foreign Medical Colleges, Universities, and in various organizations like P.C.S.I.R., Defence Science Org., National Health Labs., Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Nuclear Institute of Agricultural and Biology (NIAB), Nuclear Institute of Biology and Genetics (NIBGE), National Health Institute (NIH), A.Q. Khan Research Labs., various Hospitals, Pharmaceutical, Food and Chemical indus tires and in Pathological Labs.