Sample Graduate Curricula
Typical Curricula for the MS and the PhD Degrees, and Information on Removing Any Deficiencies in Prerequisites
MS Program
Fall One:
BIOC 101 CRN 80451 General Biochemistry (4 cr.)
BIOC 203 CRN 80442 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (3 cr.)
BIOC 430 CRN 83982 Biostatistics (4 cr.)
Radiation Safety Workshop (0 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS 11
Spring One:
BIOC 201 CRN 12432 Seminar (1 cr.)
BIOG 532 CRN 12512/13 Molecular Cell Biology Lecture/Lab (4 cr.)
MICR 413 CRN 12907 Molecular Biology Lab. (4 cr.)
Choice of Advanced Biochemistry Course (3 cr.)
such as
BIOC 182 CRN 12431 Clinical Biochemistry
BIOC 240 CRN 12439 Advanced Enzymology
BIOC 272 CRN 12442 Metabolic Regulation
TOTAL CREDITS 12
Fall Two:
BIOC 205 CRN 80443 Directed Research (Internship) (6-9 cr.)
BIOC 201 CRN 80441 Seminar (1 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS 11
Spring Two:
BIOC 205 CRN 12436/12435 Directed Research (Internship) (6-9 cr.)
BIOC 216 CRN 12896 Practical Biochemistry (1 cr.)
BIOC 201 CRN 12432 Seminar (1 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS 11
Summer Two:
BIOC 200 CRN Directed Research (Externship) (3-8 cr)
Internship: During the internships a students works full-time (except for class attendance) in the research laboratory of one of the faculty and learns laboratory techniques, experimental design, record keeping, biochemical calculations, Good Laboratory Practice requirements, Radiation Safety, and similar practical material. The two internships are to be taken with two different mentors.
Externship: The student works full-time off-campus in a government, industrial, or external university laboratory. The student is graded by the preceptor.
PhD Program
Fall One:
BIOC 170 CRN 80452 General Biochemistry (7 cr.)
BIOC 203 CRN 80442 Adv. Biochemistry Laboratory (3 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS 10
Spring One:
BIOC 201 CRN 12432 Seminar (1 cr.)
BIOC 211 CRN 12437Orientation to Research(3 cr.)
BIOC 270 CRN 12440 Molecular Biology
BIOC 240 CRN 12439 Advanced Enzymology
or an Advanced Chemistry Course such as
CHEM 231 CRN 12539 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (Note:
Advanced organic is offered in the Fall)
and,
if missing physical chemistry entrance requirement,
CHEM 258 CRN 12544 Biophysical Chemistry
TOTAL CREDITS 10
Fall Two:
BIOC 201 CRN 80441 Seminar (1 cr.)
BIOG 430 CRN 83982 Biostatistics (4 cr.)
BIOC 208 CRN 80447 Protein Structure and Function (3 cr.)
and one of the following
BIOC 271 CRN 80449 Special Topics (optional)
BIOC 203 CRN 80445 Directed Research (optional)
and, if Analytical Chemistry not taken in previous Fall
CHEM 243 CRN 83489 Advanced Organic Chemistry
or
CHEM 278 CRN 83491Advanced Physical Chemistry I
TOTAL CREDITS 11
Spring Two:
BIOC 201 CRN 12432 Seminar (1 cr.) Adv. Biochem. Courses as needed for a total of 5 such as
BIOC 270 CRN 12440 Molecular Biology
BIOC 272 CRN 12442 Metabolic Regulation
BIOC 240 CRN 12439 Advanced Enzymology
BIOC 203 CRN 12435 Directed Research (as needed)
TOTAL CREDITS 10
During the first semester the student must satisfy the Expository Writing requirement.
A total of five seminars must be presented before the end of the student's program.
At the end of the second year the student takes the Comprehensive Examinations that consist of two parts:
- A written examination covering all areas of biochemistry. The student is guided in his or her studies by conversations with the faculty members who have written questions for the examination. The examination is usually scheduled for two days.
- A short written research proposal that is defended orally. The topic of the proposal must be unrelated to the student's intended dissertation research project.
After successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, a proposal outlining the intended dissertation research is submitted to the graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the student is formally admitted to candidacy. At this point the only remaining requirements for the degree are one additional seminar presentation, the dissertation research, and preparation and defense of a dissertation.