Graduate Degree Programs

Objectives:

The primary educational objectives of the Ph.D. program are:

To develop proficiency in the critical analysis of scientific research problems

To assess which problems are important enough to pursue vigorously

To pursue and solve a research problem of interest to both the student and mentor

Prospective students are encouraged to contact directly any faculty member whose research program is of interest.

Degrees Offered

We typically admit students into the PhD track in Biochemistry, which prepares high-achieving students for senior research positions in industry or government laboratories, or a career in college-level or university-level teaching and research. Interdisciplinary research and training programs are also available (Biological Chemistry Program, Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biological Physics Program, Applied Math, IGERT Program in Comparative Genomics).

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in biochemistry is primarily a research degree. The number and selection of courses are tailored to the individual student's needs and interests according to the guidelines available from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The minor work may be satisfied within the Department. A dissertation based upon original laboratory research is required. All students must pass a comprehensive examination and a final oral defense examination.

Program Timeline

Rotations

A feature of the biochemistry PhD track is that students carry out three rotations (two in the Fall and one in the Spring) prior to choosing a dissertation advisor. These rotations allow the student to gain experience in laboratory research, as well as giving them an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the research of faculty in the Department. Toward the end of the Spring semester students are asked to identify a dissertation advisor, from among the faculty that they rotated with, who will guide their research.

Coursework

Students are required to complete 18 credits of graded coursework for the degree. All students are required to take two core courses, Proteins and Enzymes (Bioc 565) and Nucleic Acids (Bioc 568). Additional courses are selected in consultation with the dissertation advisor based on based on scientific interest. The minor requirement for the degree can be satisfied with courses from within the Department.

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Examination involves preparation and oral defense of a research proposal in the student’s area of research, formulated by the student, before his/her Dissertation Committee. Students who complete both components of the exam successfully are advanced to candidacy.

Dissertation

The major requirement of the Ph.D. degree is the research dissertation, which presents a new and unique contribution of knowledge to the chemical sciences suitable for publication in a major scholarly journal. Three to four years of mentored research follow, culminating in the Final Oral Examination. During this time the student takes progressively increasing responsibility for the direction of his/her research. The transition from student to colleague is completed with the successful presentation and defense of the dissertation in front of the student's committee.

Please see the program handbook for more information.

Financial Support

Teaching assistantships and/or fellowship support are available for incoming graduate students. Students in good standing after the first semester are generally supported by either teaching or research assistantships.

The salary for a first-year GTA will be at least :

This appointment also includes a waiver of out-of-state tuition (approximately $4,490 per semester) for non-residents. Health insurance is also provided.

During the summer, research assistantships and a few teaching assistantships will generally be available to students. However, assistantship support for the summer prior to initiating graduate studies is generally not available.

All graduate students, whether supported on teaching or research assistantships, are exempt from paying out-of-state tuition. The students only pay nominal registration and activities fees each semester.