biochemistry phd admission requirements

Application Requirements

Application to the Field is made through the Cornell University Graduate School.  General information about Grad School admissions requirements and insights on the process of applying can be found on the Graduate School Admissions website .  They also provide a useful list of FAQs for common questions . Information on application requirements for the Field of Biochemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology (BMCB) are detailed below. Please take care in filling out this important document and review it before submitting it; we cannot make changes to it after it is submitted.

Our faculty and research interests can be explored in the Faculty & Research . You can learn more about our program and current student life using the Current Students section of our website . You are encouraged to explore these pages for information as you move through the application process. If your research interests are more genetics/genomics based, we encourage you to investigate our sister program, Genetics, Genomics & Development .

The deadline for admission is December 1 for Fall admission (we do not admit students in Spring). Applicants to our program must submit their application on-line through Apply-Now , including supporting documents by the December 1 deadline.  Applications can be submitted prior to receipt of all required letters of recommendation, but recommenders should be encouraged (and reminded) to submit their letters by this deadline or within 48 hours after.  The Admissions Committee begins reviewing completed applications shortly after the deadline.

Application Requirements :

Academic & Personal Statement of Purpose (within the application):  The intent of this statement is to provide the Admissions Committee with a sense of you as a whole person and your potential to contribute positively to a diverse and inclusive community.  The Grad School provides general suggestions about the application process on their admissions website .

Academic Statement of Purpose (up to 1,200 words): Please submit an Academic Statement of Purpose (ASOP) that outlines your reasons for pursuing graduate research and explains your academic interests and your broader background, experiences, and skills that can lead to a successful graduate school experience. General suggestions as to how to approach the Academic Statement of Purpose are available by following this link to the Cornell  Graduate School admissions website .

Please describe (in up to 1,200 words) your motivation to apply to a PhD program, the experiences that informed this choice, and how these experiences have prepared you for graduate school. You may include whatever information you think speaks to these points, but please be sure to specifically address the two areas outlined below.

• Past and ongoing research experiences: We would like to hear about your research experiences, including your research goals, outcomes (positive or negative!), and what you have learned relating back to your initial research goal (your research conclusions). Please also provide the specifics of your research experience(s), including where and when they took place, and the average weekly hours of commitment.
• Program and future research interests: Please describe your future research interests, and why you chose to apply to the BMCB program. If there are faculty members that you find resonate with your interests, please include that information. We appreciate that your research interests will evolve throughout graduate school, and we would like to hear what research areas and questions interest you most now, as you apply to start graduate school.

Personal Statement (in up to 1,000 words): We strive to build a diverse and inclusive community that strengthens our intellectual and collaborative program. The Personal Statement helps to provide a more holistic sense of who you are , including how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue graduate studies. Within this statement, p lease provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.

Additional information to consider including within the Academic and Personal Statement of Purpose are:

• How your personal, academic, and/or professional experiences demonstrate your ability to be both persistent and resilient especially when navigating challenging circumstances. Consider including examples where you overcame obstacles, showed creativity, or demonstrated initiative.
• How you engage with others and have facilitated and/or participated in productive teams.
• How you have experienced or come to understand the barriers faced by others whose experiences and backgrounds may differ from your own.
• Your service and/or leadership in efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, access, and equity especially by those from backgrounds historically underrepresented and/or marginalized.
• Additional context around any perceived gaps or weaknesses in your academic record.

Current transcripts for all colleges you have attended must be uploaded into the application. (Note: Official transcripts are not required at time of application). Our Admissions Committee wants to see your full academic background; upload transcripts from all colleges attended even if you did not get a degree unless the courses you took transferred to a subsequent school and are included on that transcript along with the grades. For more information and specific instructions for international applicants, see the Graduate School website .

Three (3) letters of recommendation: The Cornell Graduate School has a website with some great tips regarding letters of recommendation . We encourage you to read them. Note that you are able to request more than three letters. However, we would discourage asking for more than three letters with the goal of obtaining three completed letters; you should be confident that your recommenders will upload a letter, since lack of a requested letter will be noticeable in your application. Please request that your recommenders submit their letters through the on-line system unless there are extenuating circumstances that prevent them from doing so.

Proof of English language competency : All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. This is a Graduate School/University requirement; complete information can be found on the Cornell Graduate School website . Applicants who are not exempt from this requirement by virtue of a standing exemption should self-report their scores in the application; these scores can be used for evaluation prior to the official scores being received.  No offer of admission can be made without official scores where they are required.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS tests are required for applicants whose native language is not English. This is a university requirement, and the Graduate School has set minimum scores for each section of the test: Reading – 20; Writing – 20; Listening – 15; Speaking – 22. To be considered for admission, an applicant must receive at least the minimum score on each individual section of the test . Official scores should be sent from ETS to Cornell University, university code #2098 (department code is not required).
• Those taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test must score 7.0 or higher. Scores must be sent electronically (e-delivery) to the Cornell University Graduate Admissions, Caldwell Hall e-download account. E-delivery may also be referred to as an e-TRF by your test center.

Research Area/Faculty of Interest : You are not required to contact faculty as a requirement of admission; students in our program are not admitted directly into faculty labs, but spend the initial part of their first year rotating through faculty labs in order to identify a mentor.  However, applicants are encouraged to indicate a faculty person and/or a specific area of research that they are interested in pursuing. We recognize that your research interests will evolve throughout graduate school, and this is not a commitment to that research area or faculty person. It is intended to give the Admissions Committee more information about what research areas and questions interest you most now, and also what faculty you consider potential mentors and/or faculty you may like to engage with during the admissions process.

Application Review: Your your application will be reviewed by a select group of faculty and graduate students that form the Admissions Committee.  All members of the Admissions Committee are instructed to respect your privacy rights with regard to information disclosed in your application.

Application Fee Waivers:  The Cornell Graduate School will consider requests for fee-waivers for applicants who are experiencing financial hardship and also applicants who have participated in specific pipeline programs.  More information on application fee waivers can be found on the application fee portion of the Graduate School web site .  Please note: the Field of BMCB is not able to issue fee waivers.

Recruitment Events :  Top-ranked applicants being considered for an admissions offer are typically invited to campus to interview. Interviews are an important part of our admissions process, allowing us to interact with you and learn more about you beyond your written application.  Should an invited applicant be unable to attend one of our in-person Recruitment Weekends, they will be invited to interview with faculty via Zoom or Skype.

Diversity and Inclusion

Cornell University and the Graduate School are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all Cornell students.  The Field of BMCB strongly supports this mission and, as a result, our graduate student community is a vibrant and diverse one. BMCB students come from all areas of the globe and all walks of life. We are committed to the equality of educational opportunity and success for all students. The Field encourages individuals from groups who have been historically underrepresented in STEM to apply and participate in many programs on campus to recruit and retain these students and other diversity students (including first-generation college students).

Students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Field of BMCB has established a partnership with the Cornell University Student Disability Services Office . Any student who is invited to our recruitment events and requires special accommodations to participate should contact the GFAs to request necessary arrangements.

Admission Decision Timeline

The BMCB Admissions Committee will meet weekly starting in late November to evaluate completed applications. A select number of applicants will be invited to interview at our on-campus Recruitment events in February . Invitations are extended in December. Those who are unable to attend our Recruitment events (i.e. some international applicants residing outside the U.S.) are offered Zoom or Skype interviews.  Admissions decisions are made by mid-to-late March, once all interviews have taken place.

Dept. Molecular Biology & Genetics 526 Campus Road Biotechnology Building Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 bmcb@cornell.edu

If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact  web-accessibility@cornell.edu  for assistance.

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About the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program

In the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program, faculty, and students work together to increase knowledge of the biochemical and molecular bases of normal and abnormal cellular processes. Our program trains students to be successful independent scientists and gives them the knowledge, research training, and leadership skills to continue to provide new insights into the biomedical issues that have a profound impact on public health.

Students engage in a rigorous course curriculum and a range of structured and informal activities outside the classroom and lab to build their skills. They will pursue their thesis research in the lab of one of our over forty training faculty across the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Visit our dedicated PhD program website to learn more about the diverse research training opportunities of the program.

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program Highlights

Our position within the School of Public Health provides a unique setting in which students learn how biochemistry, molecular biology, physical chemistry, cell biology, and genetics can be used to solve significant problems in public health and medicine. Our program offers:

• Training faculty from across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine
• A strong grounding in the science of biomedical and public health research through a core curriculum that includes courses taught by leading experts from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine
• Training outside the lab and classroom in key skills such as communications and leadership
• Opportunities to build strong communications skills through a range of speaking venues including journal club, research colloquium, department retreats, and national meetings
• Access to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Professional Development and Career Office , offering excellent career services and professional development,  including the BMB-required OPTIONS program, a guided process of career exploration for paths from medicine to biotech to academia and beyond for careers paths from medicine to biotech to academia and beyond
• Opportunities to participate in community service and outreach, with a focus on our East Baltimore neighborhoods, through the Johns Hopkins University community engagement and service-learning center, SOURCE

Training faculty across the School of Public Health and the School of Medicine

Schools that students can take courses in: Public Health, Arts & Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering

Two-month rotations in the first year prior to selecting thesis lab

Average number of incoming students in the BMB PhD degree program each year

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology?

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program prepares students for a range of biomedical and health sciences careers, including in academia, industry, policy, and beyond. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Research Scientist
• Science Policy Adviser
• Biotech Executive
• Senior Scientist
• Patent Lawyer
• Science Policy Analyst/Advocate
• Science Writer/Journalist
• Biological Sciences Teacher

Topic Areas

The BMB PhD program faculty conduct research to gain new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal cellular processes, and their relevance as targets for improving health and treating disease. Our training program places particular emphasis on mechanistic approaches to research problems.

Common topic areas within our faculty's diverse research interests include:

• Biophysics and Structural Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Chemical Biology and Proteomics
• Cell Biology
• Cellular Stress and Cell Signaling
• Genetics, Genomics, and Gene Regulation
• Immunology and Infectious Diseases
• Translational Research

Curriculum for the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The BMB PhD offers students a rigorous course curriculum, including a set of common core classes from the Schools of Public Health and Medicine. A rich array of seminar programs and journal clubs are also available to all students.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Courses in core curriculum

Minimum elective credits

Seminars on current research presented by experts from across Johns Hopkins and other biomedical research institutions

Courses available across Johns Hopkins Schools of Public Health, Medicine, and Arts and Sciences

Admissions Requirements

For the general admissions requirements see our How to Apply page. The specific program also requires:

Prior Work Experience

Laboratory research experience (from academia, industry, etc.) is required

Prior Coursework

Strong background in the sciences, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are optional for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Ashani T. Weeraratna

Ashi Weeraratna, PhD, studies how cancer cells move to distant sites and how changes in the normal cells around a tumor contribute to their movement, especially as we age.

Michael J. Matunis

Michael Matunis, PhD, studies how protein modification by SUMO—the small ubiquitin-related modifier—drives changes in key cellular pathways from stress response to DNA repair.

Jennifer M. Kavran

Jennifer Kavran, PhD, MS, MPhil, is a biophysicist who investigates how cells communicate with each other and their environment.

Danfeng Cai

Danfeng Cai, PhD, combines advanced microscopy, genomics, and proteomics to tease out the functions of protein condensates in cells, with a focus on cancer.

Vivien Thomas PhD Scholars

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application, VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1 , 202 3 . VTSI applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 202 3 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

All full-time PhD students receive the following support for all years of the program: full tuition and fees, individual health insurance, University Health Services fee, vision insurance, dental insurance, and a stipend for living expenses for students who remain in good academic standing. PhD students are required to serve as a teaching assistant for at least one term, in either their 2nd or 3rd year.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Mike Matunis, PhD PhD Program Director

Roza Selimyan , PhD BMB Executive Director for Academic Affairs and Education Programs

Erika Vaitekunas Administrative Specialist

[email protected]

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Ph.D. in Biochemistry

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 31
• Students: 55
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100%
• Part time study available: No
• Application Terms: Fall

Application Deadline: November 30

Meta Kuehn Director of Graduate Studies Department of Biochemistry Box 3711 Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710

Phone: (919) 681-8770

Email: [email protected]

Website:  http://www.biochem.duke.edu

Program Description

Graduate students in the Duke Biochemistry Department engage in faculty-mentored research and graduate coursework that develops an understanding of fundamental concepts in biochemistry, physical biochemistry, as well as the critical analysis of published research. Students choose thesis topics from a wide range of research projects under current study by primary and secondary faculty in the department, which include: enzyme mechanisms, signal transduction, cell cycle control, cytoskeleton structure, prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription, genetic diseases, glycoproteins, DNA partitioning/segregation, plasma membrane receptors, cellular differentiation, gene regulation, mechanisms of DNA repair and DNA repair defects in tumor biology, processing of DNA, RNA modification, mRNA decay and translational control, multidrug resistance and tolerance, membrane vesicle biogenesis, microbial toxin activity, endocytosis, insertion of proteins into membranes, ion channel structure and function, metalloproteins, post translational modification, drug design, analysis and design of protein and RNA structure, and X-ray crystallography and NMR studies on macromolecular structure and folding. The department is located in a large, research-oriented medical center, which is immediately adjacent to the arts and sciences campus, fostering a productive and collaborative scientific community.

• Biochemistry: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE General: Optional
• GRE Subject tests (Biology, Chemistry): Optional This program does not require applicants to provide GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or other graduate entrance exam scores, but does allow you to upload scores if you feel they enhance your application. If you choose to submit test scores, you may enter them on the Test Scores page. If you choose to enter self-reported test scores, official test scores will become a required component of your application.
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Statement of Purpose Guidelines The mission of the Duke University Biochemistry Graduate program is to educate and mentor students from diverse background in the fundamentals of biochemical principles and practice though courses and research by (1) guiding students in their thesis research project, and (2) preparing them for a career in research, education, or other disciplines. The program promotes a commitment to excellence in research scholarship and fosters a spirit of creativity, service, and respect, within an environment that is ethical, inclusive, and diverse.

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Optional Video Essay: How would a Duke PhD training experience help you achieve your academic and professional goals? Max video length 2 minutes; record externally and provide URL in application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

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Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules, their roles in the cell, and the chemistry of their reactions in living systems. The Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) is the merged graduate program between the Department of Biochemistry (in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry (in the School of Medicine and Public Health). The program trains the next generation of biochemists and prepares them for 21st Century challenges in science. IPiB offers a Ph.D. degree with a major in biochemistry. Although an M.S. degree is officially offered, students are not admitted for a terminal master's degree.

From atoms and cells to plants and animals, biochemistry research in IPiB is at the forefront of modern science. We are home to around 100 graduate students and 57 world-class faculty pursuing cutting-edge research in all areas of biochemistry, including: cell and developmental biology, chemical biology, endocrinology, enzymology, immunology, metabolism, molecular genetics, molecular medicine, physical biochemistry and biophysics, quantitative biology, structural biology, systems and synthetic biology, and virology. The program teaches critical thinking skills, applicable to a wide range of professional fields that students pursue after graduation.

The size and breadth of IPiB provide unique opportunities for graduate students who want to pursue a degree in one of the top biochemistry graduate programs in the nation. Our modern facilities are filled with labs carrying out groundbreaking research in a collaborative, friendly, and inspirational atmosphere. Welcome to IPiB and we hope that you can share our enthusiasm for the biochemical sciences!

Dual Degrees

The program participates with the School of Medicine and Public Health in offering a dual degree program for students wishing to complete both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. For the prerequisites and degree requirements for the M.D. degree, as well as the online application form, see Medical Scientist Training Program .

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

To qualify for admission to the program, an applicant must complete a bachelor's degree at a recognized, accredited college or university. The basic background for graduate study in biochemistry ordinarily would be provided by an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or in one of the biological or medical sciences. The Admission Committee assesses a candidate’s potential for success in the program by taking all aspects of their application into consideration. Most successful applicants have completed a rigorous undergraduate curriculum that includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Most have also had a substantive laboratory experience that demonstrates commitment and talent for research. The applicant's undergraduate grade point average must be at least 3.0 (4.0 scale). For more information, please visit the Prospective Students tab on the program's website.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

IPiB students receive a full stipend  as well as tuition remission and comprehensive health insurance. The stipends take the form of traineeships, research assistantships, or fellowships, and are guaranteed for all IPiB Ph.D. candidates in good academic standing and making satisfactory research progress. IPiB also assists its graduate students with outstanding academic records in competing for University or national awards.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Mode of instruction definitions.

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Required courses, graduate school policies.

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate work from other institutions.

For well-prepared advanced students, the program may accept up to 12 credits of prior graduate coursework from an uncompleted degree from other institutions towards the minimum graduate degree credit and minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. The minimum graduate residence credit requirement can be satisfied only with courses taken as a graduate student at UW–Madison.

UW–Madison Undergraduate

No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the graduate degree.

UW–Madison University Special

No credits taken as a University Special student are allowed to count toward the graduate degree.

This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

Every graduate student must have a faculty thesis advisor in the program. The thesis advisor advises the student about coursework, supervises the student's research, and acts as a mentor to the student through the student’s graduate career. The thesis advisor must approve the student's coursework before registration for a given semester and must also approve any subsequent changes to it.

A Ph.D. thesis committee is composed of at least four graduate University faculty members, including the thesis advisor. The thesis committee is empowered by the program to advise the student about certification, administer the preliminary examination, oversee annual progress reports, approve thesis composition, and conduct the final Ph.D. examination.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

A maximum of 12 credits in Fall and Spring semesters and 2 credits in Summer semesters is permitted for non-dissertators; 3 credits in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters for dissertators.

Time limits

This program follows the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.

grievances and appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

All students, both US and international, receive an annual stipend and tuition remission for the duration of their studies, provided satisfactory progress is made toward their degree. Comprehensive medical coverage is also offered. In addition, some students are supported on fellowships or training grants. Students are chosen based on criteria specified by the different training grants.

Students may matriculate only in the fall semester.

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

• Gain a broad understanding of the biochemical principles that underlie all biological processes.
• Become aware of the current limitations of the state of understanding of this discipline and the strategies that are required to advance the field.
• Formulate and design new approaches that extend and apply biochemical principles beyond their current boundaries.
• Conduct independent research using a diverse breadth of biochemical processes.
• Think critically to address research challenges using a broad range of the theories, research methods, and approaches to scientific inquiry.
• Collaborate with investigators within the program, university, and beyond since current and future advances in the biomolecular sciences demand interdisciplinary skills.
• Foster professional and ethical conduct in the sciences, including but not limited to: exposition of the scientific method; ethical design of experimental protocols; reproducibility in science; professional behavior in industrial, government, and academic settings; documentation of scientific results; communication to other scientists and the public; peer review; and confidentiality.
• Develop communications skills that enable the articulation of research to fellow scientists and non-scientists.
• Explore career development opportunities in industry, government and academia to realize professional goals and paths.
• Develop teaching and mentoring skills in both lecture and laboratory settings.

Faculty: Professors B. Fox (Chair, Department of Biochemistry), Kiley (Chair, Department of Biomolecular Chemistry), Amasino, Attie, Audhya, Bednarek, Brow, Buller, Butcher, Campbell, Cantor, Cavagnero, Chaudhari, Coon, Cox, Coyle, Craciun, Craig, Denu, Engin, Fan, C. Fox, Friesen, Galmozzi, Gellman, Grant, Harrison, Henzler-Wildman, Hess, Holden, Hoskins, Hull, Keck, Kimble, Kirchdoerfer, Landick, Lewis, Lim, Merrins, Mosher, Neugebauer, Ntambi, Putnam, Ralph, Raman, Rayment, Rienstra, Romero, Senes, Sheets, Simcox, Sussman, Venturelli, Wang, Weeks, Wright

• Requirements
• Professional Development
• Learning Outcomes

Contact Information

Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health Integrated Program in Biochemistry http://www.ipib.wisc.edu/

For prospective students [email protected]

Kate Ryan, for current and former students, Graduate Program Manager [email protected] 608-265-2281 1142F HF DeLuca Biochemistry Building, 420 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1532

David A. Brow, Director of Graduate Study [email protected] 608-262-1475 4204b Biochemical Sciences Building 440 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1544

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Program Application

Autumn 2024 applications, domestic applicants: november 27, 2023, international applicants: november 27, 2023.

Program entry:  New students start the program in the Autumn Quarter of each year.

Apply for Application Fee Waivers

Applying to the PhD Program

University prerequisites.

Certain minimum entrance requirements are set by the University of Washington Graduate School. These include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for your most recent 60 graded semester credits or 90 graded quarter credits. For full details regarding the requirements, review the Graduate School website:  http://grad.uw.edu/admissions/understanding-the-application-process/ .

Departmental Prerequisites

A major in biology, chemistry, or biochemistry fulfills our departmental prerequisites.

Students with other majors must have completed:

• 2 years of chemistry (normally general chemistry and organic chemistry)
• Mathematics through calculus
• 1 year of physics
• At least one year of biology
• Strongly recommended courses include biochemistry, genetics, and physical chemistry

In addition to the formal coursework, most of our applicants also have research experience in some scientific discipline (usually biology or chemistry).

Application Instructions

Announcement: gre test score submission is not required for the biochemistry phd program., submitting an application.

All application materials will be submitted through the on-line Graduate School application.

All materials are due by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed for candidacy.

A complete application includes the following:

• Online Application:  Apply on-line for admission to the Graduate School and the Biochemistry Department. All of the required materials will be described in detail through the application process:  https://grad.uw.edu/admissions/apply-now/
• Transcripts:  All applicants must upload unofficial transcripts from each college and/or university attended to your online application. It is recommended that students upload a copy of an official transcript. There is no need to send official transcripts by mail to the department. If accepted to the program, then official transcripts will be required for verification.
• Letters of Recommendation:  Applicants must type in the 3 recommender’s names and e-mail addresses and select the “Online” recommendation option. The recommenders will then receive an automatic email with a submission link and instructions on how to upload their recommendation. After the recommender has submitted their materials, applicants will then receive an email stating that the recommendation process has been completed. Applicants can monitor the status of each recommendation on the application web site by logging into the application portal.
• Short Answer Questions:  Instead of a statement of purpose, each applicant must complete the short answer questions and topics below. On the application, each topic will have a separate text box in which applicants can provide their answers. These text boxes have a 3,000 character limit. The program recommends that each applicant save their answers and then review them before submission to ensure that their answers will be submitted in their entirety. Questions/Topics: 1. What motivates your interest in scientific research? How will earning a Ph.D. help you to achieve your career goals? 2. Describe your previous research experiences. 3. Please describe why you are interested specifically in the University of Washington Biochemistry Ph.D. program. How do your interests and career goals intersect with the intellectual interests and physical resources of the UW Biochemistry graduate program? 4. Diversity of thinking, experience or background shape our academic community and drive our scientific research. Please describe any ways that your personal background, prior experiences or your perspectives on diversity can contribute to the diverse learning community at the UW. 5. Finally, tell us about any interests or hobbies outside of scientific research that you would like us to know about.
• Resume:  A resume (or CV) is submitted online with the Biochemistry application.

GRE Scores: The Biochemistry program does not require GRE scores.

English Proficiency Note: Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Details of this requirement are located in  Policy 3.2  of the Graduate School policies.

International Applications

An international student is anyone who is not a US citizen or does not hold a US Permanent Resident Visa (i.e., Green Card or Immigrant). This definition also includes students who hold US visas, such as F-1 students, exchange visitors, or any other non-immigrant classification. Applicants educated abroad must meet the same general requirements as applicants educated in the United States, and must have earned the equivalent of a US undergraduate degree.

All international applicants should follow the guidelines in the Application Instructions with the following additions:

Transcripts:  All applicants must upload official transcripts from each college and/or university attended to your online application. If your transcript is not written in English, you must upload a translated version.

Graduate School Transcript Translation Policies

English Proficiency: Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Details of how to demonstrate this requirement are located in  Policy 3.2  of the Graduate School policies.

Fluency in spoken and written English is essential for success in our graduate program. For this reason, any international applicants who are submitting test scores to meet their English proficiency requirement must achieve recommended scores on the tests. The Department of Biochemistry adheres to the “Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied)” requirements for TOEFL, Duolingo and IELTS testing from the Graduate School.

To submit official TOEFL scores: Use our Institution Code 4854.

Interview Travel: The department holds on-site interviews for selected candidates. If you are invited for an on-site interview, the department will cover the cost of travel from within the United States. You would be responsible for your airfare to the United States.

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, PhD

The Graduate Group in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BMB) is devoted to the education and training of doctoral students in quantitative, mechanistic and molecular frontiers of biochemistry and biophysics, broadly conceived. The goal is to produce the next generation of scientists, scholars, educators and leaders in biomedical sciences.

To achieve this goal, BMB starts with a strong relationship with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, combined with a world class, diverse faculty of over 90 members from four institutions, the University of Pennsylvania, the Wistar Institute, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Within the University of Pennsylvania, BMB draws on faculty from the schools of Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Dental Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine.

BMB offers interdisciplinary training based on a rigorous core curriculum, combined with laboratory rotations, independent studies, and candidacy exam preparation that provides immersive training in laboratory and research skills to equip the students for their independent dissertation research.

For more information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/bmbgrad/

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses 

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Biochemistry, PHD

On this page:.

At a Glance: program details

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Biochemistry

The PhD program in biochemistry through the School of Molecular Sciences provides students with the training they need to solve biological problems at the molecular scale and to be successful, independent scientists who can challenge current societal issues.

Students earning a doctoral degree in biochemistry are fully trained in all fundamental aspects of the discipline. Most also choose to join transdisciplinary teams that work on larger, mission-based contemporary problems in areas such as:

• biogeochemistry
• energy and sustainability
• fundamental chemical biology
• materials and nanoscience
• medicine and health
• structure function and dynamics

Students should visit the prospective student site to learn more about this doctoral program and the graduate research page to learn more about the advanced transdisciplinary research being conducted in the School of Molecular Sciences.

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

six graduate-level courses (12--18) enrollment in a BCH 501/CHM 501 seminar (8) BCH 792 Research (46--52) BCH 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information The program consists of coursework and seminars selected by the student in consultation with the student's supervisory committee and based on the student's area of research. Qualifying exams consisting of a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a prospectus are required to advance to candidacy. Students must successfully defend their dissertation during a public final oral defense. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") or better.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• personal statement
• three letters of recommendation
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

In addition to the admission application, applicants must complete an online supplemental application to the School of Molecular Sciences. The supplemental application is available 24 to 48 hours after submission of the admission application. The personal statement and contact information for the letters of recommendation are submitted as part of the supplemental application. Information about the supplemental application can be found on the department's website. Applications lacking a supplemental application are not reviewed.

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

The doctoral program in biochemistry prepares students for professional careers in industry, government and academia. Professionals with training achieved in pursuit of a graduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry have opportunities in five general areas:

• academia (high school and higher education)
• entrepreneurship (consulting, startups)
• government (research, policy)
• industry (research and development, quality control)
• nonprofit (policy, public education)

In addition to specialized technical skills, graduates possess high-demand skills like critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration, time management and many others.

Some career examples include:

• chemistry lecturer
• drug discovery scientist
• government scientist
• pharmacology scientist
• research and development scientist
• research group leader
• science consultant
• university professor

The American Chemical Society also provides helpful resources and a more exhaustive list of possible careers on their website at https://www.acs.org/careers/chemical-sciences.html .

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-4664

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology doctorate degree program at IU School of Medicine typically takes five years to complete. The program includes two years of course work and three years of conducting original research full-time, culminating in a PhD thesis. This program prepares graduates for careers in academic research and teaching or in the business and industry side of bioscience.

Program Requirements

• A minimum of 30 credit hours of didactic coursework
• A minimum of 45 credit hours of research (B855)
• A minimum of 90 credit hours consisting of required and elective courses
• A scholarly thesis based on approved original research with oversight from a faculty mentor. Potential research topics include structural biology, signal transduction, drug development, regulation of gene expression, cancer biology and metabolic disorders.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA and a B- or better in all PhD coursework

Biochemistry PhD students must take at least two (of the available eight) two-credit Biochemistry core courses (BIOC-B811, GRDM-G805, G807, G817, G848, G852, G825, G826), which are offered among spring electives for the Indiana Biomedical Gateway Program (IBGP) or in the fall. These may be taken in year one or later years.

• GRDM-G715 Biomed I – Biomedical Science I – Biochemical Basis of Biological Processes*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G716 Biomed II – Biomedical Science II – Molecular Biology and Genetics*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G717 Biomed III – Biomedical Science III – Cellular Basis of Systems Biology*: 2 credits
• GRDM-G505 Responsible Conduct of Research*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G700 Translating Foundational Science to Contemporary Knowledge*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G702 Entering Biomedical Science Research*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Science (first rotation): 2 credits

Biochemistry Core Electives

• GRDM-G805 Diabetes and Obesity: 2 credits
• GRDM-G825 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G826 Synthetic Biology and Biologics: 2 credits

Research Communication (one of the following)

• COMM-C534 Distilling Your Message*: 1 credit
• COMM-C533 Improvisation for Scientists*: 1 credit
• ENG-W533 Science Writing for Public Readers*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G507 Reagent Validation as a Means for Enhanced Research Reproducibility*: 1 credit
• GRDM-G718 Research in Biomedical Science Rotations 2 and 3: 4 credits
• Indiana Biomedical Gateway Program open enrollment electives
• GRDM-G817 Molecular basis of cell structure and function: 2 credits
• GRDM-G852 Concepts of cancer biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G807 Structural and chemical biology: 2 credits
• GRDM-G848 Bioinformatics applications to proteomics and genomics: 2 credits

Biochemistry Course Descriptions

Fall- Total of 10 credit hours

• GRDM-G855 Experimental Design and Research Biostatistics*: 1 credit
• BIOC- B890 Seminar: 1 credit
• Major course requirements: variable
• Minor course requirements: variable
• BIOC-B855 Research: variable

Spring- Total of 10 credit hours

• BIOC-B803 Advanced Biochemistry: 1 credit

During years 3 through 5, the student will take didactic courses if needed to fulfill either requirements for the biochemistry major or their chosen minor. In year 3, the student will typically register for a total of 10 cr. hours each fall and spring, including 1 cr. hour of BIOC-B890. 4 credit hours of B890 are required before advancing to candidacy.   The student will advance to candidacy upon completion of both major and minor coursework and having reached a total of 30 or more didactic hours of coursework as well as successful defense of their thesis proposal which serves as the students qualifying examination.

Work will continue in the field of the candidate’s thesis. Emphasis will be on the ability to pursue research with relative independence and responsibility.

MD/PhD students are not required to take GRDM-G715-717 but are expected to perform lab rotations during summer breaks from medical school classes. MD/PhD students must take two or more of the two-credit Biochemistry core courses (GRDM-G805, G807, G817, G852, G825, G826, G848) along with other courses required of IBMG and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD students (GRDM-G505, G655, G855, BIOC-B803 and B890 [4x]).

• Financial Aid  PhD students with eligibility to work in the U.S. receive a competitive annual stipend without a Teaching Assistant requirement ($29,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year) as well as tuition scholarships and health and dental insurance. Find additional financial aid information from the IUPUI Office of Student Financial Services .

Biochemistry Program

The department of chemistry and biochemistry currently has seventeen faculty members and affiliate faculty members who participate in the biochemistry program. students may work with faculty members in biochemistry or with faculty members in chemistry who have biochemical interests., this program provides rigorous graduate course work in biochemical and biophysical principles and techniques as well as in molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, and systems biology that will prepare students for their research. graduate research focuses on fostering independence and expertise in answering cutting-edge biochemistry questions. research programs fall into the general areas of biophysical chemistry, nucleic acid biochemistry, molecular biophysics, structural biology, bioorganic chemistry/chemical biology, and enzymes and molecular machines., graduate students in the biochemistry program enjoy the benefits of being part of a close-knit and supportive community and still having the resources of a large research department and university available to them. the rigorous course work, mentorship, research and resources allow biochemistry graduates to become successful in academic, industrial, and government careers in today’s hi-tech world of biochemistry and biotechnology..

Biochemistry Graduate Student Owen Becette on studies of RNA structure and dynamics.

Program Overview

Masters of science in biochemistry.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry accepts Masters students only in rare cases. Students have a maximum of 5 years to complete this degree, but typically, are able to complete all requirements in 2.5 years. Financial assistance is not generally available to M.S. students.

Degree Requirements

Biochemistry Masters students have two tracks that they can choose: Thesis or Non-Thesis.

Thesis Option

• 24 credits of graduate coursework must be completed by the end of the fourth semester.
• Out of the 30 total credits, 6 credits must be research (BCHM799)
• Completion of a thesis based on the student's research
• Presentation of one seminar, generally immediately before the final oral examination
• A final oral examination by the student's advisory committee

Non-Thesis Option

• Biochemistry Core courses (BCHM 661, 662, 671, and 675) must be completed by the end  of the fourth semester
• Out of the 30 total credits, 6 credits must be research (BCHM699)
• A 20 page original scholarly paper must be submitted and approved by three faculty members

Detailed Information about the MS degree requirements can be found here .

PhD in Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry accepts PhD students each Fall. We do not offer Spring admissions. Students must advance to candidacy within 5 years of admission to the doctoral program. After advancing to candidacy, students have 4 years to complete and defend their dissertation. Admitted PhD students are offered a graduate assistantship in the form of a teaching assistantship during their first year of the program. After the first year, as long as students are in good standing, they will continue to receive funding from the department via a research or teaching assistantship.

The Ph.D. in Biochemistry must include:

• At least 21 credits of graduate coursework, with 19 credits completed by the end of the fourth semester with an overall GPA ≥ 3.0
• 12 credits of Ph.D. research (BCHM 898 (pre-candidacy), BCHM 899 (post-candidacy)).
• Oral defense of a written research proposal and demonstration of general knowledge of biochemistry as part of advancement to candidacy.
• Presentation of a seminar on a topic that is different from the student’s dissertation research.
• Independent preparation of a research aim in the area of student’s own research.
• Preparation and oral defense of a publication-quality dissertation that advances the field. 

Detailed Information about the PhD requirements can be found here .

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• Biochemistry, PhD

for the Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry offers a graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. For an application and departmental materials that provide greater detail on programs, offerings, admission, degree requirements, and financial aid,  visit our website . The Department of Biochemistry is a part of the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB), which also includes the Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Molecular and Integrative Physiology as well as Programs in Biophysics and Neuroscience. The Department is part of an umbrella program in MCB that encompasses over 70 different research laboratories. Students admitted into any of these departmental graduate programs can select faculty thesis advisors from these active research laboratories in the School. Close ties are also maintained with the School of Integrative Biology, the School of Chemical Sciences, the College of Medicine, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Admission Applicants interested in the Biochemistry, PhD program will need to apply directly to the  School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) PhD program .  The MCB PhD program is an umbrella program that requires admitted students to spend their first semester rotating among three different labs to explore their interests before joining one of our four departments. 

MCB Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in biological or physical sciences, a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher (A = 4.0), prior research experience and three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic and research background. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is  not  required. Applicants interested in pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry should have a strong background in chemistry, biology, physics, and calculus.  In addition to these requirements, non-native English-speaking applicants must attain a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) overall score of 96, with at least a score of 22 on the speaking section . MCB does  not  accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to show English proficiency. Graduate College requirements also apply.

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.

Centers, Programs, and Institutes Biochemistry faculty are appointed and active in several cross-campus academic and research units, including the Center for Biophysics & Computational Biology, the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, the Institute for Genomic Biology, as well as the interdepartmental graduate programs in Biophysics & Computational Biology, and Neuroscience.

Faculty Research Interests Faculty research in the Department of Biochemistry covers a broad spectrum of the most dynamic areas of current research in biological chemistry and molecular biology: physical approaches to the structure and function of macromolecules and membranes; nucleic acid biochemistry and enzymology, enzyme mechanisms and evolution; membrane biochemistry and bioenergetics; protein-lipid interactions; protein-nucleic acid interactions and molecular recognition; molecular biological approaches to gene organization and expression; immunology; microbial physiology, and signal transduction.

Facilities and Resources Campus resources for science research are state-of-the-art and available to all faculty research programs. Notably among these is the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, which comprises the W.M. Keck Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics (Custom Library Services, High-Throughput Sequencing and Genotyping, DNA Core Sequencing, Fragment Analysis, Oligonucleotide Synthesis, Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics), Proteomics Services (Protein Science Facility, Immunological Resource Center and Flow Cytometry Facility), a Metabolomics Center and a Transgenic Mouse Facility. It also provides career counseling through the Career Services Office. Many other cross-campus facilities are important for the faculty research programs in Biochemistry, including the Fred Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), the high-field VOICE NMR Laboratory, Mass Spectrometry Center, Microanalysis Laboratory, Cell Media Facility, and many electronics, machine and glass shop service facilities.

Financial Aid Financial aid for Ph.D. 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.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's  Graduate Program Handbook  and the  Graduate College Handbook . 

Other Requirements

The Biochemistry Department has the following expectations and goals for graduates of its Ph.D. degree program: Many basic outcomes from Standards for the Ph.D. Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Recommendations of the Education Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry. TIBS(1989)14:205-209.

At the conclusion of the degree program students will be able to:

• Develop and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a specific area of biochemical research, which may include (but is not limited to) protein, nucleic acid and/or membrane biochemistry, cancer and molecular immunology, computational and quantitative biology, etc.
• Demonstrate independent and critical skills necessary to formulate specific experiments aimed at understanding molecular processes.
• Gain the necessary experience and skills to train others in the performance of experiments.
• Develop communication skills suitable to discuss scientific outcomes at a level for the layperson to understand but critical enough for peers. Typically, such training is developed through writing and editing scientific manuscripts, with input from a faculty advisor.
• Deliver effective oral and written presentations of the results and conclusions of experimental work.
• Be able to ask and answer questions within the research areas of Biochemistry.
• Develop skills and abilities for effective teaching of Biochemistry in a course room setting.
• Develop the skills and intellectual background to succeed at postdoctoral work in academics or in the commercial sector.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct within the research process and the responsibilities of the scientist.

Graduate Degree Programs in Biochemistry

Biochemistry Department Head of Department: Satish K. Nair Director of Graduate Studies: Kai Zhang Biochemistry Department website 417 Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 333-2013 MCB Graduate Admissions email

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website

School of Molecular & Cellular Biology School of Molecular & Cellular Biology website

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PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry

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Admissions requirements for the PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Students entering the program are required to have completed a B.S. degree in chemistry or biochemistry or related areas with appropriate chemical/biochemical/pharmaceutical/biological sciences background. This background will include courses in organic chemistry (one year plus lab), biochemistry (one year plus lab), analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry. Students will be required to address deficiencies in any of these subjects prior to beginning the Ph.D. curriculum. Students who have previously completed an M.S. degree may request an evaluation of M.S. degree coursework to judge whether it counts toward the coursework requirements for the Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students will also be able to transfer into the Ph.D. program from either of the Department’s M.S. programs (Chemistry or Biochemistry), as long as all admissions requirements have been fulfilled.

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must meet the requirements for admission of the Graduate School of UNCG. Students may submit GRE scores if they choose to do so.  The absence of GRE scores will not impact a decision, and any included GRE scores will be considered when making decisions.

Documents to be Submitted for Admission

• Graduate Application
• Official transcripts of all academic work attempted after high school, including evidence of the completion of a Bachelors degree
• OPTIONAL – Official report of GRE scores
• Personal statement indicating the applicant’s interest in the program (1-2 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation from former Instructors, advisors, or employers
• A current  Curriculum vitae 
• For international students, official TOEFL scores

Degree Requirements

1. Total hours required

Minimum credits (semester hours) required for the Ph.D. program will be 64, distributed between coursework and research credits.

2. Proportion of courses open only to graduate students to be required in program (graduate programs only)

All core coursework counting toward this degree will be at the 600- level and above (graduate students only). A minimum of 75% of all non-dissertation coursework for the degree must be at the 600 level or above.

3. Grades required

Graduate students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above to graduate from the program. Students receiving a grade of C or worse in two courses will be dismissed from the program. Only grades of B or better will count toward the Ph.D. degree.

4. Amount of transfer credits accepted (if applicable)

Students entering the program with graduate credits received while enrolled in another doctoral program may transfer up to 1/3 of the total required non-dissertation credits. Students must provide syllabi from the courses for which they would like to receive transfer credit.

5. Other requirements:  Directed graduate research. Students will choose a research advisor and should begin their dissertation research within the first 3 months of the starting the program.

• Qualifiers:  Students will be required to pass two oral examinations for full admission into the program. These examinations must occur within 24 months of entering the program. The first examination will be given after the student has chosen a dissertation advisor and will be in the form of a public presentation of a research proposal, based on the research the student will be performing. A second exam will follow in which that proposal, written in the NIH style, will be defended in a private meeting with the students dissertation committee. The student must satisfactorily complete the oral presentation before defending the written proposal. Students will be given one opportunity to re-take the qualifiers if they are unsuccessful on the first attempt. After successful completion of the qualifiers, students may begin enrolling for dissertation research, CHE 799. Prior to the completion of the qualifiers, students may enroll in “Research Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry” CHE 780.
• Internship:  A particularly novel aspect of the PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry is the potential for internship experience. During one summer or semester, the student may work in a full time internship position in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company within North Carolina . This experience will provide the student with first-hand knowledge about how industry works. Students will work on a project to be determined by the company sponsoring the internship, with the approval of the student’s dissertation committee. Students whose future workplace is in industry will have a distinct advantage after this experience, because they will have gained knowledge about industry that cannot be acquired in an academic department. Students whose future workplace is in academia or government laboratories will also have gained a valuable understanding of how industry works.
• Seminar:  Students are required to attend all departmental seminars on Friday afternoons.
• Dissertation Committee:  Students must choose a dissertation committee prior to the completion of 18 semester hours in the program. The committee must consist of 4 members of the graduate faculty, two of which must be full members. The chair of the committee must be a graduate faculty member of the home department.
• Dissertation:  Students must complete a written research dissertation and give a public oral presentation of their completed work while registered for Che 752 seminar. In addition, the student must defend this dissertation orally to his/her dissertation committee. The seminar and dissertation defense should occur in the same term that the student applies for graduation.
• Annual Reports:  Each year students meet with their committee and review a brief written report (prepared by the student), which details research progress made during the preceding year.

6. Time limits for completion:  A student must spend at least 4 years, and must have completed all requirements in the program for graduation. Students must successfully defend the dissertation within 7 academic years to successfully complete all of the requirements for the PhD degree.

A completed application for any of the graduate programs will include:

• Personal statement indicating the applicant’s interest in the program (1-2 pages).
• A current  Curriculum vitae
• For international students, official TOEFL scores.

Fall term application due dates:

Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry : January 15 Best consideration by December 15 All Ph.D. students receive financial support (teaching assistantship plus tuition waiver or funds) M.S. in Chemistry and MS in Chemistry – Biochemistry Concentration: March 15 for full consideration (admission plus financial support) We accept applications after March 15, however, it is likely we cannot offer financial support to late applicants.

In some circumstances, students may be admitted for a term other than fall, including spring and/or summer with the approval of the Graduate Program Director and the Director of Graduate Admissions. Requests for an exception would need to be emailed to the Graduate Program Director. For other information about the Chemistry or Biochemistry program, contact:

Dr. Nicholas Oberlies Director of Graduate Studies [email protected] 336-334-5474

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building PO Box 26170 | Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 Phone: 336.334.5714 | Fax: 336.334.5402 Copyright © 2022. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. All rights reserved

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PhD in Biochemistry/Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS)

For contact information, please visit the Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Graduate Education website .

General Program Information

Our PhD program is part of a program called the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) . This interdisciplinary “umbrella” program incorporates didactic coursework and biomedical research to prepare our graduates for career advancement. Our biomedical science and professional development curricula are integrated into this program. During the first year in the PiBS program, students take classes and rotate in a number of research laboratories, the latter enabling the selection of a dissertation research laboratory. Students then join the program/department with which the mentor is affiliated and continue advanced studies towards candidacy.

The didactic coursework includes our Foundations in Biomedical Sciences (FBS) that incorporates principles of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics. Additional course material includes laboratory techniques, statistics, and advanced electives.

In addition to the biomedical science coursework mentioned above, we offer our graduate students a host of professional development opportunities ( BU’s BEST  and PhD Professional Development Opportunities ). These include credit-bearing courses as well as professional development workshops, panel discussions, site visits, and internships to enable students to consider and prepare for careers in a variety of sectors, including research and nonresearch careers in academia, industry, government, communications, law/compliance, or wherever they may choose to work.

Our research relies on cutting-edge technologies and experimental systems to address the cellular and molecular mechanisms of biological processes, particularly those that relate broadly to human disease. Our research  encompasses the areas of cell biology ,  development , genomics/genetics , metabolism ,  neuroscience , and proteomics & glycomics .

Students applying for acceptance into the PhD program should apply directly to PiBS. More information about the program and the application process can be found on our PiBS website .

Please go to our Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology website  or contact  Dr. Barbara Schreiber , Director of Graduate Studies, for additional information.

Learning Outcomes

Doctoral programs in Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine are designed to train scholars to be leaders in their respective fields of biomedical research. Trainees learn professional and scientific skills necessary to benefit society, becoming fluent in their areas of specialization and developing competencies that provide the foundation for lifelong learning and practice in their chosen field. The program objectives are delineated below.

By graduation, a Biochemistry/PiBS PhD student will:

• Generate an original body of work in the biomedical sciences that reflects critical thinking and independent thought.
• Demonstrate competencies in advanced research skills and critical thinking.
• Develop the ability to communicate both through writing and orally within their chosen fields of expertise.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continued learning in their chosen field.

Financial Support

Financial assistance in the form of tuition and health benefits, as well as a living stipend, is available to all students in good standing in the PhD program.

Course Requirements

• GMS BI 777 Techniques in Biomedical Research
• GMS FC 708 Professional Development Skills
• GMS FC 711, FC 712, FC 713, FC 714 (Foundations in Biomedical Sciences Modules I, II, III, and IV)
• GMS FC 762 Critical Thinking in Biomedical Research
• GMS FC 764 Professional Skills
• Biostatistics
• Advanced electives
• Research credits

Qualifying Examinations

Candidates for the PhD and MD/PhD degrees must pass both a written qualifying examination and an oral qualifying examination.

Dissertation Advisory Committee and Dissertation Defense

PhD candidates present a research proposal to a five-member Dissertation Advisory Committee. The committee is assembled at least once every nine months to discuss the progress of the accepted proposal. Once the committee determines that the research work is complete, the student writes and defends the dissertation.

Apply to the PiBS program online .

Please go to our Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology website  or contact Dr. Barbara Schreiber , Director of Graduate Studies, for additional information.

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Biochemistry, program overview.

Biochemistry is the study of the molecular events underlying biological processes. Consequently, it makes fundamental contributions to all disciplines concerned with living systems. The graduate program in Biochemistry enables students to conduct research in modern facilities, leading to the  Master of Science  and  Doctor of Philosophy  degrees in a wide variety of areas including the relationship between structure and biological function in proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids as well as complex multi-component systems such as membranes and sub-cellular organelles.

Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in  Medicine, Doctor of / Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD) .

See video: Explore Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Medicine .

Quick Facts

Master of science, minimum admission requirements.

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Biochemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

Normally, a minimum B+ average in the last two years of study in an honours or specialist BSc program in biochemistry or molecular biology. Applicants with strong academic credentials in honours or specialist programs in disciplines related to biochemistry or molecular biology are also considered.

Applicants arrange for personal reference forms from three individuals familiar with their academic performance.

Applicants who obtained a degree outside Canada or the United States are generally required to have an MSc degree in Biochemistry or in a closely related subject area.

Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a non-Canadian university where the language of instruction was not English must provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written English (TWE) scores:

paper-based TOEFL: minimum 580 score and 5 on the TWE

Internet-based TOEFL: minimum 93/120 score and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

In the absence of TOEFL results, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7.0 (Academic) with at least 6.5 for each component is also acceptable.

Program Requirements

Students must complete any courses that were a condition of acceptance.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

BCH2020Y 0 Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 1 (1.0 FCE)

BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists (0.25 FCE)

at least 0.25 elective FCE.

Students must submit a thesis (RST9999Y; Credit/No Credit) and successfully complete an oral examination on their research and related aspects of biochemistry.

Normally, MSc students are expected to participate as full-time students and to maintain full-time status in their laboratories until thesis completion and final defence.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)**

3 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

** Students may begin the program in the Fall or Winter.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students are accepted into the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree in biochemistry or a cognate discipline; 2) transfer (reclassification) from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) following completion of a BSc degree (direct entry) if, in the opinion of the Biochemistry Graduate Committee, the student has an outstanding academic record.

PhD Program

Applicants must arrange for personal reference forms from three individuals familiar with their academic performance.

Applicants are generally required to have an MSc degree in biochemistry or in a closely related subject area with high academic standing.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

BCH2022Y 0 Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 2 (1.0 FCE)

BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists (0.25 FCE). If previously taken students must take a substitute 0.25 FCE course approved by the graduate coordinator.

0.75 elective FCE.

Students must successfully complete a qualifying examination within the first 24 months (ideally 18 months) of the program. To be eligible to write this qualifying examination, students must:

complete BCH2101H

be concurrently registered in BCH2022Y 0

complete at least 0.25 elective FCE; after completing the qualifying examination, students must complete the remaining 0.5 elective FCE.

Submit a thesis (RST9999Y; Credit/No Credit) and defend it at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination .

Normally, PhD students are expected to participate as full-time students and to maintain full-time status in their laboratories until thesis completion and final defence.

4 years full-time

6 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer requirements.

Transfer applicants must be enrolled in the MSc program in Biochemistry. Excellent students with high academic standing, who have clearly demonstrated the ability to do research at the doctoral level, may be considered for transfer to the PhD program. Recommendation by the student’s supervisory committee is required.

Transfer applicants must successfully complete a reclassification (transfer) examination within 18 to 24 months of starting the program.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

1.25 elective FCEs.

To be eligible to write the reclassification examination , students must:

complete at least 0.25 elective FCE; after completing the reclassification examination, students must complete the remaining 1.0 elective FCE.

5 years full-time

7 years full-time

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Direct entry is available to highly qualified BSc graduates who completed a Biochemistry specialist program or an appropriate undergraduate program in the life sciences from a recognized university, with a minimum A average in the final two years and relevant research experience.

Applicants who obtained a degree outside Canada or the United States are generally required to have an MSc degree in biochemistry or in a closely related subject area with high academic standing.

Students must successfully complete a qualifying examination within 18 to 24 months of the program. To be eligible to write this qualifying examination, students must:

be concurrently registered in BCH2020Y 0

complete at least 0.25 elective FCE; after completing the qualifying exam, students must complete the remaining 1.0 elective FCE.

“This financial stability also allows me to volunteer and engage with all of the different talks and events that U of T has to offer”

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Biochemistry M.S./Ph.D. Requirements

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Major Professor and Thesis, Study, or Dissertation Committee

The Chair of the student’s committee shall be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member with primary or secondary appointment or voting privileges in the Biochemistry Division of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. A student may also choose a faculty member from the Department of Biology and Biochemistry who does not hold any appointment in the Division of Biochemistry provided that, as with any Biochemistry candidate, the student meets all the requirements of the Biochemistry graduate program, including those on committee composition, course work and the biochemistry comprehensive and oral qualifying examinations.

• Selection of Committee In consultation with the major professor, the student shall select, by mutual agreement, faculty members to serve on the thesis, study, or dissertation committee. The committee should be chosen within the 30 day period following selection of the advisor, but in no case after the end of the 2nd long semester of residence. Failure to meet this requirement may result in dismissal from the program. The membership of this committee is subject to approval by the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs, the Chair of the Department and Dean of the college. The major functions of this committee are to approve a program of studies for the student, to administer the necessary oral qualifying examinations and final examinations, and to evaluate the student’s progress. In the event that a member of the committee leaves the University or is not available for an examination or thesis/dissertation defense, the committee and student can recommend a suitable substitute. The appointment to committees of faculty members from other institutions as the outside member is encouraged.

A Doctoral Dissertation Committee shall consist of at least four members. These shall include the major professor, one other member of the Division including emeritus faculty, one member who may belong to any Division within the department, and one member who shall be from outside the Department of Biology & Biochemistry. At least one-half of the committee must be composed of tenured or tenure-track faculty members with primary appointments in the Division of Biochemistry. Research faculty may not chair the committee but may serve on the committee in addition to the core of four committee members who must be tenured or tenure-track faculty.

For the purpose of establishing a Thesis, Study, or Dissertation Committee, a Biology & Biochemistry faculty member holding a secondary appointment in the Division of Biochemistry shall be considered to be from outside the Division. A faculty member with joint appointment in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry is considered as an external member, unless (s)he chairs the committee.

• Research Faculty Research faculty with primary appointments in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry will be allowed to serve on thesis and dissertation committees and participate in all committee activities. However, they will not be allowed to vote on questions regarding student progress. For purposes of committee structure their Division affiliation will not be considered. No more than one research faculty member can serve on a thesis or dissertation committee.

Faculty with primary appointments in the Biochemistry Division are currently S. Bark, T. Bawa, J. Briggs, G. Fox, R. Fox, M. Fujita, X. Gao, P. Gunaratne, Y. Liu, R. Schwartz, M. Sen, M. Umetani, Y. Wang, Z. Weihua, W. Widger, and H.-Y. Yeo. Emeritus faculty include J. Eichberg and S.-C. Tu.

Reporting Requirements

Prior to each committee meeting the student will be responsible for obtaining appropriate forms to document the meeting. These will be filled out by the major professor and committee members as appropriate. The student will then be responsible for delivering the appropriate forms to the graduate advisory office to insure that accurate records of progress are in place. Students should also provide committee members with a copy of the previous meeting report prior to the meeting.

Program of Studies

The student should prepare and submit a program of studies to the Graduate Advisor and his/her thesis, study, or dissertation committee within 60 days after choosing an advisor but in no case later than the end of the 2nd long semester of residence. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program. The program of studies must be approved at a meeting of the student’s thesis, study, or dissertation committee. The written program consists of:

• A title page with spaces for appropriate approval signatures;
• A short biographical sketch and a brief statement of the student’s career goals;
• A list of the science and mathematics courses (both undergraduate and graduate) taken by the individual and the grades obtained;
• A statement of the degree objective and a list of the courses the student plans to take to fulfill the course requirements for this degree;
• A statement verifying that the student has completed required safety courses (radiation, chemical, and biological safety);
• A brief statement of the research project, not more than one page in length, for M.S. Plan I and Ph.D. candidates or a study proposal for M.S. Plan II candidates. Any specialized safety considerations pertaining to the proposed work should be described;
• A schedule for completion of the various degree requirements, especially the examinations;
• A copy of the Program of Studies furnished to each committee member. Changes in the program of studies shall be in written form and must be approved by the thesis, study, or dissertation committee. The original signed copy shall be deposited in the student’s file in the department office;
• An updated program of studies should be distributed to each committee member before each subsequent committee meeting.

Course Requirements

• M.S. (Plan I) - 30 semester credit hours
• M.S. (Plan II) - 36 semester credit hours
• Ph.D. - 54 semester credit hours

These hour requirements should be met by the time the student has had sufficient time in residence in the program to meet all the requirements for graduation.

• Graduate Biochemistry series: BCHS 6226, 6227, 6228 and 6229;
• BCHS 6230 and 6231: Graduate Biochemistry Lab Rotation I and II, respectively;
• Four additional hours in formal graduate courses offered by the Division of Biochemistry.
• Eight additional hours in formal graduate courses, of which at least four hours must be in courses offered by the Division of Biochemistry.
• BCHS 6113: Graduate Seminar
• BCHS 6125: Seminar in Nucleic Acids
• BCHS 6X98: Special Problems
• BCHS 6X99: Master’s Thesis
• BCHS 8X98: Doctoral Research
• BCHS 8X99: Doctoral Dissertation
• Seminar requirements Graduate students are required to enroll in BCHS 6113: Graduate Biochemistry Seminar every long semester until they pass the oral qualifying examination. Thereafter, they are required to enroll in a seminar course at least once per academic year beginning with the long semester after the oral qualifying examination is passed. Any one credit hour seminar course offered by the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, subject to approval by the student’s Major Advisor, will meet this requirement.
• Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Courses All students should avoid enrolling in Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis courses until the semester in which they will graduate. Instead they should enroll in the appropriate number of Special Problems and/or Doctoral Research hours needed to meet enrollment requirements. MS Plan II students in particular do not enroll for Master’s Thesis hours.
• Course Transfers In general, a maximum of six approved credit hours for the M.S. degrees and a maximum of 8 approved credit hours for the Ph.D. degree may be transferred from another institution with an acceptable academic ranking. The student must have received a grade of B or better in any course for which transfer credit is requested. In addition, a Master’s degree with thesis can be used to waive up to 2 credit hours of non-BCHS elective courses. Transfer credit will typically not be given for the required courses; BCHS 6226, 6227, 6228 and 6229. Transfer credit may be requested or offered at the time of admission to the program according to the recommendations of the Biochemistry members of the Graduate Committee and with approval of the Biochemistry Division Policy Leader. Alternatively, transfer credit may be requested at the Program of Studies Meeting, subject to approval by the Committee and the Biochemistry Division Policy Leader. Such transfer credit can be formal in that, after approval of an appropriate petition, it appears on a student’s UH record. Alternatively, transfer credit may be informal subject to the approval of the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs in which case it will not show up on the student’s UH record. In no case can transfer credit exceed the limits set forth by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the University of Houston.
• Limitation on Undergraduate Courses No undergraduate courses may apply toward the graduate degrees.
• Coursework Performance Requirements Per University regulations, graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in all course work attempted for graduate credit to be considered in good standing. Students not in good standing cannot receive a graduate degree, can be declared ineligible for support as a Graduate Assistant (TA or RA), and will be ineligible for the Graduate Tuition Fellowship. Graduate students who receive grades of C+ or lower in 12 or more semester hours of course work attempted for graduate credit are ineligible for any advanced degree at this institution. Semester hours of "U" grades in S/U-graded courses apply toward the above 12 hour total.
• Rotation Requirements (BCHS 6230 and 6231) Graduate students are required to enroll in two laboratory rotation courses during their first year of study. The first rotation must be with a tenured or tenure track faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Biochemistry Division. The second rotation can be with any tenured or tenure track faculty member in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry. The second rotation can also be done with tenured or tenure track faculty from other Departments that have a joint appointment in the Biochemistry Division. Rotations with research faculty will not satisfy the rotation course requirement. Each rotation course is to last seven weeks. The first rotation should begin at the beginning of the student’s first long semester in the program. The second rotation should be started no later than the first week of the student’s 2nd semester in the program and preferably beginning in the eighth week of the first semester. The student will submit a short report describing the purpose and experimental findings at the end of each course. This report and the student’s participation will be evaluated by the faculty member with whom the laboratory rotation was conducted. The head of the laboratory where the rotation was done will then forward a grade to the instructor of record who will coordinate the course. Any exceptions to the rotation policy must be approved by the faculty member who is coordinating the course.
• Courses Taken Outside the Department Courses that do not promote the student’s academic development in Biology & Biochemistry, or do not contribute directly to the current research program of the student, will not count towards the student’s course requirements. Students who wish to take courses outside the Department need the approval of their thesis or dissertation committee and the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs in order to receive credit in their degree program. Students may not pursue another degree program concurrently with a M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology and Biochemistry. Students taking approved courses at other institutions need to notify the Graduate Advisor prior to the start of the semester in order for the appropriate paperwork to be processed in time by the Registrar’s office and the Graduate School.

Thesis or Dissertation Research

• General Considerations Each student whose degree objective is the M.S. Plan I or Ph.D. degree is expected to commence graduate research as soon as possible. It should be recognized that research is an integral component of the degree requirements and that failure to maintain an adequate program of research constitutes unsatisfactory progress toward a degree.
• Safety Requirements and Other Regulations As appropriate to their research objectives and as required by University policy, students must attend and pass courses offered by Environmental Safety to assure familiarity with handling of radioactive materials and chemical disposal. Research involving human subjects must be submitted to and approved by the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects. Likewise, use of animals and recombinant DNA must be approved by appropriate University of Houston committees.
• Research Seminar Each M.S. Plan I and Ph.D. candidate shall present a formal research seminar to the department which discusses the student’s significant research accomplishments. The seminar shall be presented immediately prior to the final defense on the day of the defense.
• Nature of Thesis or Dissertation The thesis submitted by an M.S. Plan I candidate must give evidence of ability to conduct an independent and original investigation on a defined research problem. The doctoral dissertation must provide clear documentation that the candidate possesses the ability to systematically plan and carry out research on a significant research problem, which constitutes an original contribution to the biochemical sciences. Satisfactory completion of the dissertation shall include a demonstration that the candidate is able to organize data and express research findings in writing in an acceptable manner.

Comprehensive Examination

Each student is required to take a comprehensive written examination, which is intended to test mastery of the principles which underlie the biochemical sciences. The examination will be offered within three weeks of the end of the student’s second long semester. The examination will be prepared and administered by a member of the Division of Biochemistry core faculty designated by the Biochemistry Policy Leader. A grade of 70% or better will be considered passing. Students who fail the examination will be offered a single second chance. Depending on circumstances this may be a completely new examination or a selection of topics.

Initial Research Meeting

Before the end of their second year in the program each student pursuing a M.S. Plan I degree or the PhD degree will present their research plan and progress to their committee in detail. Based on the results of this meeting M.S. Plan I students will be advised as to what further progress is required before they can prepare and defend their thesis. Students pursuing the Ph.D. will be either approved to prepare their research proposal for the oral qualifying examination or required to hold a second research meeting within six months for reconsideration.

Evaluation of Progress Prior to Advancement to Candidacy

At the end of each long semester, the progress of all students enrolled in the Biochemistry graduate programs that have not yet advanced to candidacy will be evaluated. A positive evaluation must be received for a student to remain in good standing. Students that are not in good standing may lose eligibility for tuition fellowships, fee waivers, and/or teaching assistantships. In addition, they will face possible dismissal from the program.

The evaluation will consider the student’s progress based upon:

• Courses taken and grades;
• Performance as a TA (when information is provided by teaching faculty);
• Grades from rotation advisors and reports if any;
• The student’s acceptance into a research laboratory (major professor chosen);
• The formation of a thesis, study, or dissertation committee as consistent with the student’s program;
• Passing score on the comprehensive examination;
• Results of Initial Research Meeting with their committee;
• The timeliness of completion of the various requirements (see Section M);
• Other information as may be required.

The evaluation committee will consist of the Division of Biochemistry Policy Leader and the Biochemistry Division’s members of the Graduate Committee. At the committee’s discretion, students whose performance is in question may be asked to meet with the committee in person. Students that are found to not be in good standing will be reported to the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs and the Departmental Chair for possible punitive action.

Advancement to Candidacy: Oral Qualifying Examination

• General Considerations The Division of Biochemistry shall consider a student to be a candidate for the PhD degree after successful completion of oral qualifying examination. In order to be eligible to take the oral examination the student must have completed all prior requirements. This includes selection of a committee, completion of a program of studies, completion of all required courses, passing of the written comprehensive examination and favorable recommendation from their most recent research meeting with their committee.

During the oral examination, students will be asked to present and defend their proposal as well as to demonstrate a broad-based understanding of their field. If a student does not pass the examination he/she may, at the discretion of the dissertation committee, be allowed to retake the examination before the end of their 5th long semester. Advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. shall not occur until a student has written a research proposal and successfully defended it before his/her dissertation committee. Details of the proposal format and expectations are provided in sections 3-5 below.

• understands fundamental concepts of biochemistry and has gained detailed knowledge of a body of scientific literature and the ability to critically evaluate it;
• is able to formulate specific, plausible and testable hypotheses;
• is able to design controlled experiments that distinguish among competing hypotheses;
• is familiar with available biochemical technologies;
• understands the theory underlying the proposed techniques;
• is able to communicate about science orally and in writing.
• Proposal Subject The proposed research should either test a novel hypothesis (or series of related hypotheses) that is consistent with published data or constitute a novel experimental test of an existing hypothesis. The topic should be based on the student’s dissertation research project. At least one of the specific aims should be entirely the thought of the student. The student must avoid detailed copying of text and figures from the major professor’s proposals or published papers as this constitutes plagiarism.
• The Abstract (no more than 1/2 page) should briefly outline the hypothesis to be tested, the overall experimental strategy, and the significance of the proposed research.
• The Specific Aims (less than 1 page) section should state the hypothesis or hypotheses to be tested and briefly describe the experimental strategies to be used.
• The Background and Significance (1-3 pages) section should provide sufficient background that every member of the dissertation committee can understand the significance of the proposed research, but it should not include an exhaustive review of the literature. It should state concisely how the research contributes to understanding of the specific issues under investigation, and how this relates to larger issues in the field. If alternative approaches to the problem exist, the choice of approach should be justified. Describe how the proposed research improves upon previously published research.
• The Research Design and Methods (5-7 pages) section should describe relevant preliminary results, the proposed experiments, and how the results will be interpreted. The following issues (at least) should be addressed in this section: control experiments that exclude trivial explanations of the results; numbers of observations required and the statistical methods to be used; relevant characteristics of specialized methods and reagents; interpretations of the predicted outcomes; plausible alternative outcomes and their implications; potential technical difficulties and alternative strategies; other issues that may be relevant to specific projects. Minor experimental details (e.g. buffer concentrations) are not required.
• The Literature Cited (1-2 pages) section should include at least the name of the first author, title, book or journal, volume and page numbers, and year of publication of all literature cited in the proposal. The references should be organized alphabetically by author or by number In order of occurrence in the text. All publications listed should be cited in the text, either by author and year or by number.
• Examination Evaluation In order for a student to pass the examination, an affirmative vote by the major professor and no more than one negative vote by the other committee members must be recorded. Students may be approved for either M.S. Plan I only, or M.S. Plan I and the Ph.D. Students Passing the examination at either level will be considered as having completed the study proposal requirement for the M.S. Plan II degree.
• Reexamination If the student fails either part of the examination (fails to submit a satisfactory written proposal or fails the oral examination), his/her dissertation committee shall recommend a future course of action. This may include: remedial course work, repetition of the examination or termination of the student from the Ph.D. degree program. Such recommendation shall be given verbally, normally by the major professor, immediately after the examination and followed by a written notification within one week. Any recommended action must be completed before the end of the student’s 5th semester in the program. Failure to do this shall result in mandatory dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Additional Committee Meetings

Following successful completion of the qualifying examination, all students should meet periodically with their Dissertation Committee to discuss research progress on a yearly basis, per College policy.

Final Examinations

• General Considerations Each student must submit and defend the thesis/dissertation when it is in final form. Although any member of the University community may attend the final examination, the Thesis, Study, or Dissertation Committee has sole responsibility in deciding whether or not the examination is passed. Per College policies, any decision regarding the outcome of the defense (either pass or fail) requires full committee approval. If the committee cannot reach a consensus, then the committee chair should request an independent review of the thesis or dissertation by both the Department Chair and the Graduate Chair, or their designees. If the committee includes a research faculty member, he/she can participate in discussion but will not be allowed to vote.
• M.S. Plan I The candidate must defend a thesis. The examination will emphasize research achievements. In addition, competence in the candidate’s field of research will be expected.
• M.S. Plan II The candidate shall present and defend a formal report to the study committee. The candidate will critically evaluate and summarize a problem of biochemical interest and will be expected to be knowledgeable of contemporary methods and concepts in the biochemical sciences. A student that has passed the oral qualifying examination will be considered to have satisfied this requirement.
• Ph.D. The candidate must defend a dissertation. The examination will emphasize research achievements. In addition, competence in the candidate’s field of research and the biochemical sciences in general will be expected. A candidate who has passed the oral portion of the Ph.D candidacy examination, demonstrated satisfactory progress in research, and completed the formal course requirements for the Master’s Plan II may, upon the approval of the dissertation committee, be granted the M.S. Plan II degree.

Special Academic Situations

• Change of Degree Objective A student who wishes to change from an M.S. Plan I to a Ph.D. degree objective before the completion of the M.S. degree must reapply for admission into the Ph.D. program. The request must be supported, in writing, by the student’s major advisor. Upon admission, the petitioner shall be subject to all the requirements relevant to the Ph.D. degree plan. If the deadlines for the Ph.D. qualifying examination that would apply had the student entered the program as a Ph.D. candidate have passed, deadlines for the completion of this examination shall be established by the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee at the time approval is granted.

The supporting petition requires approval of the employer or supervisor, the Division, and the College. A program of studies must be submitted with the petition. The intent of a thesis or dissertation is not changed. The need to demonstrate the ability to carry out individual research still exists. This may require a modification of the student’s responsibilities to the student’s employer. Professional ethics dictates that the student and the student’s committee should make certain that the employer understands and accepts this adjustment before petitioning.

• Return of Former Students A former student who left the graduate program prior to the completion of all degree requirements will need to reapply to the program and receive approval of the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee and the Division of Biochemistry Graduate Committee. Such students shall be subject to any other restrictions imposed by the College or University on students who have ceased to be enrolled.

Recommended Timetables

* A student admitted in the Summer will follow the same timetable as students admitted in the Fall.

** Semesters refer to Fall and Spring (not Summer).

† Failure to take oral exam before the end of Semester 4 will result in automatic termination from the Ph.D. program.

Graduate Level Courses Offered

• BCHS 6113: Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences Seminar Prerequisite: graduate standing. May be repeated for credit. Seminars presented by students, faculty, or outside speakers on current research or current biochemical literature.
• BCHS 6X98: Special Problems Prerequisites: consent of instructor and approval of chair.
• BCHS 6201: Methods in Molecular Biology Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 and BIOL 4320 or BCHS 4306 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Current methods and techniques in molecular biology, bacterial host strains, expression systems, mutagenesis, DNA library construction and screening, DNA mapping and sequencing and polymerase chain reaction methods.
• BCHS 6203: Enzyme Mechanisms Prerequisites: BCHS 3304 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Principles and methods for the evaluation of enzyme reaction mechanisms, established and newly developed biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological approaches.
• BCHS 6204: Elements of Protein Structure Prerequisites: BCHS 3304 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Taxonomy of protein structure with illustration of the common families of protein structure as well as simple protein structural motifs. Examples taken from the crystallographic and NMR literature.
• BCHS 6205: Cell Signaling Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Biochemistry of cellular responses to environmental signals at the molecular level.
• BCHS 6206: Molecular Modeling of Biological Macromolecules Prerequisites: BCHS 3304 and CHEM 4370 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Advanced computer-based molecular modeling methods, with emphasis on their practical aspects and limitations. Individual research projects using UNIX-based Silicon Graphics computers.
• BCHS 6208: Biochemistry of Organelles Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Organization of mitochondrial and chloroplast membranes. Biochemical and biophysical aspects of electron transfer in photosynthetic organelles. Molecular organization of genes and proteins involved in biochemical energy transduction.
• BCHS 6209: Protein Biosynthesis Prerequisite: BCHS 3304. Aspects of protein synthesis including ribosome structure , ribosomal RNA structure and function, translation inhibitors, identification of tRNAs, and involvement of tRNA in coding/decoding.
• BCHS 6210: Mobile DNA and Genome Fluidity Prerequisites: BIOL 3401 and BIOL 4320 or BCHS 4306 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Mechanisms of transposition and recombination by DNA elements.
• BCHS 6211: Advanced Microbial Genetics Prerequisites: BIOL 3401 and BIOL 4320 or BCHS 4306 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Topics in bacterial and yeast genetics.
• BCHS 6216: Biological Membranes  (Also BIOL 6213) Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Structure, metabolism, and biochemical interactions of membrane components. Molecular mechanisms of membrane phenomena.
• BCHS 6217: Molecular Mechanisms of Infectious Disease Host-pathogen interactions, including mechanisms of invasion and intracellular survival. Regulation of virulence gene expression. Host respnses and their manipulation by select pathogens. Current approaches for investigating pathogenesis, engineering bacterial toxins, and designing vaccines and antibiotics.
• BCHS 6218: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions Prerequisites: BIOL 2333 and 4374 and BCHS 3304 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Pathogen molecular mimicry, host response modulation, and design and construction of vaccines. Contemporary approaches for experimental investigation of host-pathogen interactions.
• BCHS 6219: Cell Biology of Disease and Immunity Prerequisites: BIOL 2333 and 4374 and BCHS 3304 or equivalents or consent of instructor. Fundamental cellular processes in disease and immunity, including current experimental techniques. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of exploitation of host functions by microbial pathogens. Cellular and mucosal immunity.
• BCHS 6226: Enzyme Catalysis and Kinetics Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 or equivalent and graduate standing or consent of instructor. Principles of enzymatic catalysis. Methods and principles of enzyme kinetic kinetic analysis.
• BCHS 6227: Membranes and Signal Transduction Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 or equivalent and graduate standing or consent of instructor. Membrane biochemistry: metabolism, properties, and structures of membrane lipids; biochemistry of membrane proteins; structure and composition; physical techniques for study; lateral and transverse asymmetry; electrophysiological properties; permeability and partitioning; pores, channels, and transporters; signal tranduction.
• BCHS 6228: Advanced Nucleic Acids Prerequisites: BCHS 4306 and graduate standing or consent of instructor. Nucleic acid structure, function, and interactions with proteins.
• BCHS 6229: Protein Structure and Function BCHS 3305 or equivalent and graduate standing or consent of instructor. Protein structure/function relationships as exemplified in current structural biology literature.
• BCHS 6230: Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory Rotation I Prerequisites: BCHS 3305 and BCHS 3201or consent of instructor. Instruction in contemporary concepts and research methodology in several areas of biochemistry.
• BCHS 6231: Graduate Biochemistry Laboratory Rotation II Prerequisites: BCHS 6230. Instruction in contemporary concepts and research methodology in several areas of biochemistry.

Interinstitutional Agreements

The University of Houston has reciprocal arrangements with Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University that enable graduate students to take a limited amount of graduate-level course work at these institutions for credit. There is no payment of fees and tuition at the host institution, and a simplified enrollment procedure is used. Courses may also be taken at other institutions in the Houston area, but additional paperwork and fees may apply. The student must notify the Graduate Coordinator prior to the beginning of the semester to fill out the appropriate forms. For more information, see the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs.

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Admission Requirements

Our Chemistry/Biochemistry Graduate Admission Committee considers applications by mid-September for the following Spring admission  and by mid-March for the following Fall admission.

Note that applications for admission to the Chemistry or Biochemistry Ph.D. program in the Spring semester are only considered on an exceptional basis. We prioritize applications to the Ph.D. Program. You do not need to have M.S. degree to apply to our Ph.D. program.

We do not have a strict deadline, and applications are reviewed as soon as they're received by the admission committee. However, it's advisable to submit your application as soon as possible, particularly for international students , to allow ample time for processing the official offer letter and visa procedures.

For more information about NDSU Graduate Programs and to apply, visit the NDSU Graduate School .

As soon as your application is submitted and proceeded by the NDSU Graduate School, our Graduate Admissions Committee at the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department will consider it and make the decision based on the following criteria:

• The high score for GPA (not less than 3.0 from 4.0 max). The official transcripts are required. We follow the NDSU Graduate School policy: The Graduate School prefers that your educational credentials be evaluated by  WES  (World Education Services),  ECE  (Educational Credential Evaluators),  SpanTran  (The Evaluation Company), or another  NACES  (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member. Please note: the evaluation must be on a course-by-course basis. More information about this question can be found here .
• The GRE is required for students who obtained their degree from schools outside the United States. For students obtaining their B.S. or higher degree at a United States institution, GRE is not required but encouraged. The requirement for earned scores is soft. We give preference to applications with a minimum of 50% on the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section, while also considering other components that are no less than 20%.
• If you are an international student and obtained your degree from schools outside the U.S., you must have a minimum TOEFL ibT score of 81 (IELTS of 7; PTE Academic equivalent of 54), a TOEFL ibT Speaking subscale score of 23 or above and a TOEFL ibT Writing subscale score of 21 or above. The IELTS equivalent scores are 6.0 for both, and the PTE Academic equivalent scores are 62 and 56, respectively. The Duolingo score is 115 or greater.  There is a list of countries exempt from the English proficiency examination requirement that you can find here . If you have been raised in one of the countries from this list or have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution in one of the following countries, you do not need to provide a foreign language examination score. 
• Your statement of interest (maximum 2 pages) should explain your motivation for joining the Chemistry or Biochemistry Graduate Program at NDSU. Additionally, please specify your primary scientific interests and indicate any research groups within our department that you are interested in collaborating with. Include details about your scholarly, teaching, and research background, emphasizing your strengths as a prospective graduate student.
• Three letters of recommendation are required. Experience in conducting research, published papers in peer-review scientific journals, and presentations at scientific conferences are not required, but are very beneficial activities, which will be carefully considered by the committee.  
• The Admission Committee might ask you for virtual interview (via Zoom).  
• We prioritize applications to the Ph.D. Program. Applications to the M.S. program are accepted only when the Admission Committee has a request from faculty members. Note that you do not need to have M.S. degree to apply to our Ph.D. program. If you are interested only in the M.S. program,  contact a professor  from our department working at the research field of your interest to discuss whether he/she is interested in taking M.S. students in his/her group.  
• You do NOT need to directly contact faculty members to choose your research group and the supervisor. We have the Rotational Course offered in the first semester, where a new student chooses three different groups at the Department and works for one month in each of these groups during Fall Semester. Based on results from this Rotation Program, a student can choose his/her Ph.D. supervisor and research group.

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Chemistry PhD

Thank you for your interest in the UC San Diego Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program. We have over 300 bright and talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We offer programs for the Doctoral, Masters, and Joint Doctoral degrees. Below you will find information on the needed application materials and criteria.

Application Deadline

PhD Admissions Deadline for Fall 2024 is December 6, 2023 (to be confirmed)

General Application Information

To begin your online application or to check the status on your application, please visit  connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply . Information you enter may be saved at any time.

The Admissions & Recruitment Committee recommends submitting your application as soon as you complete it, even if we have not yet received all your letters of recommendation. We also highly recommend that you answer some/all of our additional questions about your educational experiences.

We review PhD files continuously beginning in late November and try to get the good news out to those we are recruiting to our program as soon as possible. If you have yet to hear from us, your file is still pending a final decision.

Please note that submitting your application requires an associated   application fee   although under many circumstances you may request that this fee be waived. Please read the application fee link above and inquire with  [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like more information on the waiver options.

Transcripts

Statement of purpose.

We recommend that you structure your Statement of Purpose to address the following four prompts:

• Describe your personal and professional motivations for pursuing research in the field of chemistry and/or biochemistry.
• the overall context and importance of the work,
• the specific goal of the work you were doing, (c) the methods by which you worked to achieve those goals
• what you learned and what your new understanding means for the future of the project. Include a short discussion of how your research experience has shaped your decision to apply to our graduate program.
• Specify one or more faculty members in our department whose current research aligns with your interests. Provide some insight into why you made the choice(s) you did.
• Describe any obstacles that you have overcome to achieve your academic and personal achievements as well as any contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion you have made.

We do not have a word limit, but we do recommend keeping your statement of purpose clear and concise.

Letters of Recommendation

We  require three letters of recommendation. Letter writers that are able to provide context and clarity with respect to your ability and potential to excel in a graduate program are the most helpful in evaluating your application (e.g. a research advisor or a professors from a course that knows you well). UC San Diego students applying for the MS program need to submit at least two letters – at least one from a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

If your letter writer needs a new link to submit their letter, please follow the instructions below:

• Log into  online application
• Click “Update Application”
• Go to “Letters of Recommendation” page
• Click “Resend” next to the name of your letter writer

GRE (not required)

Research experience, additional educational experiences, fee waiver programs.

There are a couple of fee waiver programs offered by the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

• Please fill out the application as much as you can  ( https://connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply/ )
• Do not submit the application nor enter any payment information
• Take note of your application's reference number (you'll need that for the next step)
• Fill out our Fee Waiver Request Form
• The deadline to be considered for one of the department's application fee waivers is December 4, 2023.
• If selected for an application fee waiver, we will contact you with further instructions by December 5, 2023.

English Proficiency Exams (International Applicants Only)

Applicants that have recently studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country in which English is a dominant language, are exempt from language testing requirements.

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) is required for all other international applicants whose native language is not English. Requirements for demonstrating proficiency are listed below.

International applicants must include an official report of their TOEFL iBT or TSE scores from  ETS . The university-wide minimum TOEFL score for graduate admission is  550 for the paper based test (PBT), and 85 for the internet based test (iBT) . The minimum for the   IELTS Academic Training exam is a score of 7   and a score of   65 for the PTE Academic.

At minimum, international applicants must also have a   TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 23 , an   IELTS Speaking subscore of 7 , or a   PTE Speaking subscores of 65 .

Commitment to Diversity

The  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes all applicants. The university and department have a long-standing commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within STEM fields from. Our commitment to diversifying the scientific workforce also includes people who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.

Outreach Conferences 2023

National organization for the professional advancement of black chemists and engineers (nobcche).

September 11 - 14 | New Orleans, LA

American Chemistry Society National Meeting

August 13 - 17 | San Francisco, CA

California Diversity Forum

October 14 | San Francisco, CA

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

October 26 - 28 | Portland, OR

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)

November 16 - 18 | Phoenix, AZ

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Fall 2024 PhD Deadline:

Dec 6, 2023

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Office of Student Success and Engagement 270 Pharmacy Building Buffalo, NY 14214 716-645-2825 [email protected]

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The UB Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences is the foremost destination for PhD student scholars interested in challenging the boundaries of drug discovery, development and evaluation.

We invite you to study with our group of internationally renowned faculty as they advance the biotherapies and technologies of the future to improve human health and society. 

Sponsored through the university, this multi-year program provides enhanced nationally competitive funding packages to ensure the support and continuation of the next generation of scholars and researchers.

Support initiatives include: cost of broad-based fees for doctoral students who are full time and fully funded. Covered fees include the comprehensive fee, academic excellence and success fee, student activity fee, and the international student fee, where applicable.

Find out more: UB PhD Excellence Initiative.

Learn more about the many ways UB can support your career aspirations through innovative assistantships, fellowships, scholarships and other benefits.

Find out more: PhD Level Funding.

Doctoral students receive a full tuition scholarship and stipend. Additional amounts may be received through individual scholarships.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in pharmacy, biochemistry, chemistry, biology, engineering or other science
• Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty knowledgeable of the student's ability and capability. Evaluators should comment on laboratory research, communication skills, creativity, and intangibles in the student's academic performance. An email request will be sent directly to your recommenders when you submit your application for formal review.
• Personal statement: the personal statement is a general statement of purpose describing academic, professional, and research interests and should be no more than 500 words.
• Demonstrated proficiency in organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, biology and mathematics
• Prior research experience and co-authorship in scientific publications are considered favorably.

Application Steps

International Application Requirements

The University at Buffalo is one of the  United States' most international universities  and offers a welcoming environment for students from over 100 countries.

Application Requirements

In addition to your program application, as an international student you will need to provide the following materials as electronic uploads. Please do not send any mail, unless instructed to do so. You do not need to submit an evaluated transcript through WES however, we will accept it if you have it.

• A photocopy of your passport page Upload a photocopy of your passport (photo page) to the proper section on your application checklist
• Copy of current 1-20 and visa If you are currently studying in the United States, you must upload a copy of your current I-20 and Visa to your application checklist. 
• Official English Proficiency Scores In addition to meeting the standard academic criteria for the program to which you are applying, international applicants must also demonstrate English proficiency. Unless exempt, all international students must take one of the tests  indicated here  and meet the university minimum score requirement. Upon submission, please upload an unofficial copy of your English Language Proficiency test score to your application.
• International Applicant Financial Form and Bank Documents - Not required for PhD applicants These documents can be submitted  after  students are accepted; feel free to leave it blank on the application checklist. You will be able to submit them later when prompted. Accepted students (except PhD) need to submit the Financial Form, along with bank documents showing funding for the first year of academic study (minus any scholarships you may be receiving).

Learn about the steps to receiving your I-20 documentation.

Information for Current BS/MS or MS Students

Current students in our BS/MS or MS programs who are interested in the PhD program are required to submit a new application with new recommendations. MS students may apply either during their first or second year of the program. BS/MS students must complete their entire BS/MS program before joining the PhD program (some exceptions considered).

MS students who are accepted to the PhD program during their first year in the MS program are transferred directly to the PhD program and do not receive their MS degree. MS students who are accepted to the PhD program during their second year in the MS program are encouraged to complete their MS project and confer their MS degree before joining the PhD program.

It is recommended that students interested in the PhD program consider taking the required courses for the PhD program that are offered during their MS studies. If admitted to PhD program, students who have completed all of the required PhD courses will be allowed to take the Preliminary Exams.

Students accepted to the PhD program from our MS program who have elected not to receive their MS degree can apply all of their required PhD courses and graduate course credits towards the 72 credits needed for the PhD. These students should develop an academic plan carefully so that the remaining credit requirements needed for the PhD degree are met without exceeding the 72 credits by a large margin.

Students formerly in our BS/MS or MS programs who are accepted to the PhD and have received their BS/MS or MS degree can apply part or all of their prior graduate credits from the University at Buffalo towards the PhD. The Director of Graduate Studies will waive the required PhD courses taken during the BS/MS and MS program for these students. These students should work closely with the Director of Graduate Studies so that remaining credit requirements needed for the PhD degree are met without exceeding the 72 credits by a large margin.

Review our Frequently Asked Questions

Email us at  [email protected] .

UC Davis Graduate Studies

One CBS Student’s Mission to Inspire and Uplift the Next Generation of Scientists

• by Liana Wait
• May 10, 2024

Jessica Bolivar, a graduate student in the Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, knows firsthand the difference that one person’s mentorship can make. 

During her time at UC Davis, Bolivar has made it her mission to give back and inspire the next generation of scientists by balancing her research with a slew of community-uplifting and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“One person changed my whole career path,” Bolivar said. “That’s where my passion comes from with these initiatives—I just want to inspire the next generation of students.”

Her parents’ legacy 

Bolivar grew up in San Pablo, California in a large but close-knit family that taught her to prioritize community and education. She and her siblings were the first in their family to graduate college, and Bolivar says she was inspired to strive academically by her parents, particularly her father.

“My dad unfortunately wasn’t able to witness us graduate because he passed away, but he’s the reason I’m here—I do everything because my parents made sacrifices in order for me to go to school,” said Bolivar.

A winding path to research

“I got into science by accident,” Bolivar said. 

Bolivar always wanted to help people. As an undergraduate at San Francisco State University (SFSU), she aspired to become a medical doctor, but when her father got sick, she wasn’t able to maintain her grades. After graduating, she worked for several years in the Housing Department at her alma mater while taking courses to boost her GPA—all while l dreaming of med school. Then, a chance conversation convinced her to give research a try.

“It was my former cell biology professor who got me back into school,” Bolivar said. “He told me, you can help people in other ways—you can help people in research.”   

Bolivar went on to complete a master’s degree in cell and molecular biology at SFSU before moving to Davis, where she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. “I just fell in love with research,” she said.  “’It’s a journey where you’re exploring new territory.”

Cell imaging—a window into the cell’s stress response

In the BMCDB graduate group, Bolivar is investigating the molecular mechanisms that cells use to deal with stress in the lab of Christopher Fraser , a professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. In the predominately biochemistry-based lab, Bolivar is taking a different angle to examine cell stress—by drawing on her passion and experience with cell imaging.

“I love cell biology, I love imaging,” Bolivar said. “I just feel at peace when I can see something. It’s so fascinating to watch a process and then disrupt it and see what happens.”

Fraser, Bolivar’s advisor, says that her dedication to science and fostering an inclusive workplace culture have left a deep impression. 

“Within the laboratory, her creation of an innovative assay for real-time monitoring of the cellular stress response has revolutionized our comprehension of this intricate process,” Fraser said. “Beyond the laboratory, Jessica's altruistic efforts to champion underrepresented scientists at UC Davis serve as a beacon of inspiration.”

Giving back—DEIJ work at Davis

With the support and mentorship of Ben Montpetit , the Chair of the Biochemistry, Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology graduate group, Bolivar has used her time at Davis to give back in various ways.

“Jessica is a wonderful person who simply cares about everyone,” Montpetit said. “She has committed countless hours to building community here at UC Davis. Her efforts have created changes within BMCDB that impact how we operate, which will continue long after Jessica graduates and moves on from UC Davis.”

As the co-chair of outreach for the UC Davis Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee from 2020 to 2022, Bolivar traveled to California State Universities where she coordinated and spoke at colloquiums and workshops for undergraduate and master’s students.

Bolivar celebrated Black History Month with theirSTORY participants Chidera Alim and Wilsaan Joiner and fellow co-founders, Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez and Jasmine Esparza. Bolivar co-founded theirSTORY, a seminar series that celebrates underrepresented scientists, with fellow graduate students Gonzalez and Esparza. Left to right: Gonzalez, Bolivar, Alim, Joiner, Esparza. (Courtesy of Jessica Bolivar)

Along with graduate students, Jasmine Esparza and Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez, Bolivar co-founded theirSTORY in 2023, a seminar series that celebrates underrepresented scientists. The inspirational talks focus on the narratives and journeys of UC Davis faculty and staff with diverse identities and backgrounds.

“It’s important to hear from people who have already succeeded in these positions, and to learn about their journeys and identities,” said Bolivar. “I’m first generation, so I didn’t have mentors or family members that have already been in these positions.” 

Bolivar also co-founded  the California Emerging Scientist Workshop, a 5-day workshop that UC Davis premiered in August 2023 in partnership with the Advanced Imaging Center at HHMI Janelia. 

The workshop, which brought together 24 undergraduate and master’s students from diverse backgrounds and introduced them to the fundamentals of microscopy and analysis, was inspired by Bolivar’s own experience at a two-week microscopy workshop that she had attended at Janelia. “I just thought, wow, I wish I had this information when I was a younger career scientist,” Bolivar said.

Participants described the experience as a “gamechanger” that made them more comfortable as scientists, Bolivar said. “It was a lot of positivity.”

Bolivar co-founded the California Emerging Scientist Workshop, a 5-day workshop that introduces early-career researchers to the fundamentals of microscopy and analysis. The premiere workshop, whose participants are shown here, was conducted in August 2023 at UC Davis in partnership with the Advanced Imaging Center at HHMI Janelia. (Courtesy of Jessica Bolivar)

Aspiring to inspire

Bolivar, who is set to graduate this spring, is still exploring her immediate next steps but plans to continue promoting diversity and equity in science. Ultimately, she dreams of setting up a science camp for kids with disabilities. 

“I have a disability, and I think it’s really important that we promote equity,” said Bolivar. “Anywhere I can impact and inspire the next generation, that’s where I want to be.”

Media Resources

• Liana Wait is a freelance science writer based in Philadelphia. She has a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology and specializes in writing about the life sciences.

This article was originally published on the College of Biological Sciences website.

• Admission at Bryant
• Graduate Admission

Admission Requirements

Learn more about our program-specific admission requirements and take the first step toward joining the Bryant community.

Getting Started

What to know before you apply.

Ready to begin your graduate education at Bryant? Review the admission requirements for your program of interest below. The GMAT and GRE exams are not required for admission , however, you may submit a score report if you would like it to be considered. All upcoming application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Deadlines page .  

International applicants : Please read more about the international application process and requirements on our International Graduate Admission page .

One-Year MBA

• Application form
• Statement of objectives
• Current resume
• One faculty recommendation
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended
• $80 application fee (waived for Bryant alumni, current Bryant students, active duty military, and military veterans)
• Minimum of three years full-time, professional-level experience
• One professional   recommendation

Two-Year MBA

• One professional recommendation

Specialized Masters

Master of science in accounting.

Master of Science in Accounting    

• One accounting faculty recommendation

Master of Science in Actuarial Science Online

• One course in statistics at the undergraduate or graduate level
• Two letters of recommendation

Master of Science in Business Analytics

• One letter of recommendation

Master of Science in Data Science

Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics

Master of Science in Taxation Online

Physician Assistant Studies

You must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution completed by October 1, 2023. (There is no preferred major.)

You will need an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Also, you will need to have completed the following prerequisite courses by October 1, 2023, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall for these prerequisite courses and a “C” or better in each class:

• Biology for science majors with lab: 8SH
• Chemistry for science majors with lab: 8SH
• Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab: 8SH
• Microbiology: 3SH
• Organic Chemistry with lab (4 SH) or Biochemistry (3 SH)
• Psychology: 3SH
• Statistics: 3SH

Preference is given to those applicants with a Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

We do not accept Advanced Placement/CLEP coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements. The Bryant Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer credits to be applied to required program coursework and does not award Advanced Placement based on prior coursework.

Your application process begins when you submit an online CASPA application as early as April 27, 2023. You then must complete a supplemental Bryant University Physician Assistant Program Application available via CASPA. Your entire completed application must be “verified” by CASPA by October 1, 2023, for your application to be considered. Be advised that the Bryant University PA program operates on a rolling admission basis.

You also will need: 

• Three professional letters of reference.
• Optional completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the past five years (submit score to CASPA using Bryant’s PA Program Code: 8825).
• Documentation of at least 2,000 hours of direct patient care which must be obtained by October 1, 2023.*
• The ability to meet the program technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations. 

Selected candidates will attend an on-site interview, and if admitted, undergo a background check and drug screening. All matriculating students are required to obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers prior to entering the program and are responsible for maintaining this BLS certification through graduation.

*Examples of direct patient care experience include but are not necessarily limited to: emergency medical technicians and paramedics, nurses, military medics, corpsmen, health service technicians, emergency department technicians, medical scribes, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, medical assistants, certified nursing assistants.

International Applicants: You must complete the TOEFL within two years of application with a score greater than 100 unless you have completed a baccalaureate degree in the U.S. A certified degree and course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts are required to ascertain equivalences to U.S. educational standards.

The Bryant University Physician Assistant Program’s Mission Statement is to improve universal access to healthcare by graduating highly competent and confident physician assistants prepared to provide quality, ethical, patient-centered healthcare in a collaborative environment. Our strategy to accomplish this goal is to support the admission and enrollment of future clinicians who have demonstrated a similar commitment to these philosophies. While the program does not extend preference to any individual or group, application materials are scored during the file review and interview process using a scoring system that awards points to any applicant demonstrating evidence of a commitment to the philosophies embodied by the program’s mission and goals.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics

Graduate Certificate in Innovative Healthcare Leadership Online

Mini-MBA Graduate Certificate Online

Additional Resources

Vision 2030, Bryant's Strategic Plan, is evolving the Bryant experience. 

Combinable programs let students create their own education path.

Academic Programs 

Take your first step toward becoming a Bryant Bulldog.

First-Year Apps  

Sports and recreation are a big part of the Bryant experience, whether you’re on the field or in the stands.

Review scores, browse schedules, and find ticket info on the official athletic site of Bryant.  

Stay active and get involved on campus by joining a competitive club sport or intramural team. 

Bryant University is proud of its Bulldogs! We’re home to 25 NCAA Division I varsity teams.

Bryant students are engaged in their campus experience.

Experience another country’s culture through one of more than 50 partner programs on six continents.

Bryant prepares you for today's global marketplace through a variety of immersive experiences.

International students from more than 60 countries study at Bryant University.

• Patient Care
• Student Admissions
• Transcripts

Admission Requirements

Our first requirement: you must have the passion, drive and aptitude to become a dentist.

In addition to the undergraduate coursework specified below, our admission pre-requisites are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college of arts and sciences in the United States or Canada by the time you matriculate is desirable. All courses offered in satisfaction of the requirements for admission must be taken in or accepted as transfer credits by an accredited college in the United States or Canada and must be acceptable to that institution toward a baccalaureate degree in arts or sciences. Students who have not yet received their Bachelor's degree, but have completed at least 75% of their undergraduate credits, can ask to be considered for admission.

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

All candidates are required to take the Dental Admissions Test recommended and approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). This test is viewed by the Admissions Committee as evidence of minimal academic competence and as a standardized test that allows appropriate comparisons. The Dental Admissions Test must be taken between January 2022 and January 31, 2025. In cases where students have taken multiple DAT examinations, the most recent score will be used to assess candidate performance.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Although the TCDM will evaluate each student’s record on an individual basis, the candidate must have achieved a minimum science GPA of 2.7 and an overall GPA of 2.7 on a scale of 4.0 in a professional or graduate or undergraduate studies program to be eligible for consideration to the DDS program.  Students success in undergraduate science courses will be evaluated based on increasing academic performance over time.

Letters of Evaluation

You will need to include one (1) Pre–Dental Committee letter of evaluation OR three (3) letters of evaluation from undergraduate faculty.

• If you opt for the three letters of evaluation from undergraduate faculty, two (2) letters must be from science faculty who taught the applicant or supervised independent research for credit. Acceptable science courses include: biology, chemistry, physics, biomedical engineering, or bio-engineering, etc. (Math is not considered a science course for purposes of letters of evaluation.) The third letter of evaluation can be from a non-science course or volunteer work done in a dental office/clinic. One (1) of the letters of evaluation must be from the applicant’s major.
• If your date of graduation is prior to 2022 (this does not include 2022), and you are unable to obtain letters of evaluation from your undergraduate or graduate school, we will accept other academically oriented letters. However, keep in mind providing us with the requested letters will strengthen your application.

Graduate School

If an applicant is completing or is currently completing a graduate degree, in addition to the undergraduate letters outlined above, a graduate premedical advisory committee or individual graduate letters of evaluation is required.

Optional Letters of Evaluation

Letters of evaluation from employers and/or volunteer clinical or community service experiences are highly recommended but not required.

Undergraduate Coursework

**response to covid-19 - information for 2024 admissions cycle**.

Please note the following information regarding coursework & labs:

• Pass/Fail Coursework - TCDM will be accepting Pass/Fail coursework for Winter & Spring 2020.
• Online Coursework and Labs - For the Summer 2020 through Spring 2023 TCDM will be reviewing these on a case by case basis.

Students interested in the DDS program need to meet the following prerequisites in their undergraduate or post-baccalaureate study. The Admissions Committee has no preference for a major field of undergraduate study, but any college work submitted must include specified credits in chemistry, physics, biology and English. Science courses must include substantial laboratory work.

• General Biology, 2 semesters or equivalent, with labs
• General Chemistry, 2 semesters or equivalent, with labs
• Organic Chemistry, 1 semester or equivalent, with lab
• Biochemistry, 1 semester, with or without lab
• Physics, 2 semesters or equivalent, with labs
• English, 2 semesters or equivalent (or successful completion of the English requirements of your undergraduate institution’s requirement for graduation)

TCDM reserves the right to waive any of these requirements for an individual applicant.

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News 2024: Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony details

Student success celebrated during four ceremonies

UMass Dartmouth will confer degrees on nearly 1800 graduates on May 16 and May 17, 2024, during its Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremonies.

Learn more about all the 2024 Commencement Ceremonies.

Undergraduate Student Ceremony 

Cressy Field at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Add to Calendar .

• All undergraduate students from all colleges.

Tentative Schedule:

• Guest arrival at the Tripp Athletic Center for check-in.
• 10 a.m. – Ceremony begins.
• 1 p.m. – Ceremony ends.

Doctoral Ceremony

Main Auditorium at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Add to Calendar .

• All doctoral students from all schools and colleges (excluding Law students).
• Guest arrival and check-in in the Campus Center.
• 4 p.m. – Ceremony begins.
• 6 p.m. – Ceremony ends.

Graduate Student Ceremony

Cressy Field at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024 - Add to Calendar .

• All graduate students from all schools and colleges (excluding Law and Doctoral students).
• 10:30 a.m. – Ceremony begins.
• 12:30 p.m. – Ceremony ends.

UMass Law Ceremony

Main Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024 - Add to Calendar .

• All Law students.
• 3:30 p.m. – Ceremony begins.
• 5:30 p.m. – Ceremony ends.

Student Speakers

Each Commencement Ceremony will feature a student speaker to address their peers, guests, and university officials. The Class of 2024 will be represented by Alexis Petty (Physics) at the Undergraduate Ceremony, Zemen Berhe (Chemistry and Biochemistry Doctoral Candidate) at the Doctoral Ceremony, Susie Furtado (MBA Candidate) at Graduate Student Ceremony, and Natalia Vargas (Juris Doctorate Candidate) at the UMass Law Ceremony.

Learn more about the 2024 Student Commencement Speakers.

Honorary Degree Recipients

As part of UMass Dartmouth’s 2024 Commencement celebrations, the University will award honorary degrees—the highest award that the University can bestow—to Justice Geraldine Hines, Martin Kurzweil, and Steve Pemberton. Kurzweil and Pemberton will be awarded with Doctor of Humane Letters degrees during the Doctoral Ceremony and Hines will be awarded with a Doctor of Laws degree during the Law Ceremony. These individuals were selected because of their exceptional impact on their professions, civic life, and higher education.  

Learn more about the 2024 Honorary Degree Recipients.

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May 13, 2024 Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony details

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May 10, 2024 CVPA students win awards at "Design-athon"

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