Biochemistry Program Requirements & Standards
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers Masters and Doctoral programs leading to MS and PhD degrees in three distinct areas: Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. The aspects of the program that apply to all students are outlined below. More detailed descriptions of the requirements for all programs are available from the College of Graduate Studies.
- Required Examinations
- Selecting a Research Advisor
- Thesis Dissertation and Final Defense
- MS Non-Thesis Option
Required Examinations
All entering graduate students, regardless of program, take a set of four entrance examinations that are designed to measure their chemistry background in order to ensure that students have the knowledge necessary to be successful in both the courses and research planned. Students may take any individual examination more than once, but they are required to pass the entire set of examinations within one year of matriculation.
In the second year, PhD students are expected to begin a series of comprehensive examinations designed to measure graduate level skills in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. Candidates are expected to pass five of these examinations within one year.
Selection of a Research Advisor
Upon entering the graduate program, all students register for research rotations with two potential advisors. Upon completion of the rotation series, a student is eligible to select an advisor (the advisor usually is, but need not be, one of the rotation advisors). Descriptions of faculty and their research interests are found online in the Faculty & Research section. These descriptions will help you select a potential research advisors.
Once the advisor is selected, an Advisory Committee is formed, typically consisting of three or four faculty members with appropriate expertise, and is designed to assist the student in their research endeavors. With the aid of the research advisor and the Advisory Committee, you will write a one or two page research prospectus, outlining the proposed research program, which must be approved before you can begin the thesis research.
Thesis Dissertation and Final Defense
Upon completion of the research project that is necessary for the MS (thesis) and PhD degrees, you must write a thesis describing your research accomplishments, and successfully defend that thesis at a final oral examination before the members of the Advisory Committee.
MS Non-Thesis Option
Alternatively, you may elect to obtain a "non thesis" MS degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. This option typically requires a program consisting primarily of coursework, as opposed to the research activities that form the foundation of the MS-thesis and PhD degrees previously discussed. In addition to coursework, the non-thesis option also requires a capstone library project in place of the thesis, which must be defended before the graduate faculty of the Department.
Review the Eligibility Requirements >
Review the Application Information & Deadlines >
Review the Curriculum & Course Descriptions >
