Biochemistry

Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Biochemistry offers graduate programs leading to the master of science and the doctor of philosophy degrees. For an application and departmental materials that provide greater detail on programs, offerings, admission, degree requirements, and financial aid, write to the graduate coordinator at the above address.

Admission

Graduate College requirements apply. Further, applicants should have at least 25 semester hours in chemistry (properly distributed) and a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0), to be considered for admission to the graduate programs. Applications from students with less than the usual preparation in chemistry or with grade point averages below 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis. In addition, applicants must submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test and chemistry subject test.

International students whose native language is not English are required to have a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 580 on the paper-based test (237 on the computer-based test). In addition, there are special requirements for applicants whose native language is not English. The University requires a minimum Test of Spoken English (TSE) score of 50 for a contact teaching assistant appointment. Every applicant whose native language is not English is expected to provide TSE scores in order to receive full consideration for admission and financial aid.

Students who are currently enrolled in other graduate programs are advised that they should complete degree work before moving to another university. While students might be admitted without a degree from their current institution, there must be exceptional circumstances. A statement from the applicant detailing the situation is required plus a letter from the applicant’s research adviser or department head indicating that he/she is aware of the situation and agrees to this arrangement.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.

Master of Science

Specific degree requirements for the coursework M.S. and the thesis M.S. in Biochemistry include the successful completion of 18 graduate hours of biochemistry courses. A coursework master’s degree requires a minimum of two full-time semesters and involves 32 total graduate hours of formal lecture and laboratory coursework. At least 12 graduate hours must be in 500-level courses and 8 of these 12 graduate hours must be in the major field. A thesis master’s degree usually requires a minimum of three semesters; up to 12 of the 32 required graduate hours may be thesis research.

Doctor of Philosophy

Specific degree requirements for the Ph.D. in Biochemistry include the successful completion of 18 graduate hours of biochemistry courses. An additional 14 graduate hours of advanced elective courses are also required as part of the minimum of 96 graduate hours required, including thesis credit. Students must also pass an oral research qualifying examination within the first 18 months of residence and must successfully complete a series of written cumulative examinations. A thesis based on original research must be presented to a review committee at least two weeks before the final oral examination. The final examination is limited to a defense of the thesis research. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree in biochemistry.

Research Interests

The Department of Biochemistry is composed of faculty members whose research interests cover the major areas of current biochemical research and are united by a shared interest in biochemical regulatory mechanisms and structure-function relationships of biological macromolecules. The department offers major research programs in biophysics, protein chemistry, enzymology, nucleic acid structure, gene organization and expression, protein synthesis and degradation, molecular immunology, membranes, lipoproteins, cell surfaces, and hormone action.

Financial Aid

Financial aid for graduate students in biochemistry is available in the form of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition and partial fee waivers. In addition, interdepartmental training grants from the National Institutes of Health support multidisciplinary training programs. Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application. Graduate students making satisfactory progress toward their degrees generally receive a stipend, as well as a full tuition waiver and a partial fee waiver.