Biochemistry M.S.
Students must meet the Graduate School's requirements for the master's degree. The M.S. degree in Biochemistry requires the completion of independent research and preparation of a thesis for submission to the Graduate School. In most circumstances, all requirements for the M.S. degree should be completed within a 3-year period after admission to the graduate program.
Credits: A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required. Graduate credits are earned for courses numbered 800-999. Up to 12 credits earned in non-Biochemistry courses numbered 700-799 may be taken for graduate credit upon approval of the Graduate School. Typically, master's students enroll in BCHM 851-852, Principles of Biochemistry, during their first year of study, unless the diagnostic examinations indicate that undergraduate preparation in general biochemistry is sufficient.
Thesis Committee: During the first semester, the Graduate Student Coordinator will assist the student in choosing courses. During the second semester following the selection of the advisor, the student and the advisor should jointly agree on the members of the Thesis Committee and make a recommendation to the Graduate Student Coordinator. This committee consists of the advisor as chair and two other members. The committee will meet soon after selection of a thesis project to approve the student's proposed curriculum. The Master's Supervisory Committee Form must then be completed and the form sent to the Graduate School. Courses required by the Thesis Committee must be taken for credit and completed with a passing grade (>B-). Courses recommended by the committee may be audited or taken for credit, but in either case the student is expected to be familiar with the subject matter of these courses.
It is recommended that the student meet with the committee every semester to review progress of the thesis project and academics.
Diagnostic Exams: Three separate examinations in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry will be administered to all incoming graduate students during the first week of orientation, which is the week before school starts. These tests consist of multiple choice questions designed to test a broad knowledge of the three subject areas. The purpose of these exams is to determine courses to be taken by each student. The table below summarizes scores needed to exempt students from certain courses and courses of action if a passing score is not achieved. This may be achieved by either passing the diagnostic exams administered in the week before classes, or by achieving a B or better in Organic Chemistry (CHEM 651,653), Physical Biochemistry (BCHM 850) and BCHM 851 & 852. Passing scores for the diagnostics are shown below.
Students should consult with the graduate coordinator or thesis advisor to plan a course of action following the diagnostic exams.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. STUDENTS
Test |
Score Percentile |
Result/Course of Action |
Organic Chemistry ACS Test |
‹30 |
|
|
›30 |
Pass |
Physica Chemistry ACS Test |
‹40 |
Take BCHM 850 for physical chemistry and earn a grade of B or better |
|
›30 |
Pass |
Biochemistry ACS Test |
‹60 |
Take BCHM 851/852 and earn an average grade of B or better; |
|
›60 and ‹80 |
Take BCHM 851 and earn a grade of B or better |
|
›80 |
Pass |
Written Thesis and Oral Presentation: The student is required to prepare a written master's thesis for submission to their Thesis Committee. A copy of the complete thesis must be made available to the committee at least 14 days before the date of the final examination. Consult the Thesis and Dissertation Manual provided by the Graduate School for details on preparing the manuscript. All costs associated with the preparation of the thesis are the responsibility of the student.
An oral examination of the master's thesis consists of two parts: an oral presentation of the research that is open to the public and an oral defense of the master's thesis conducted by the Thesis Committee. Final approval of the master's thesis will be determined by the Thesis Committee. Two copies of the approved thesis, ready for binding, will be submitted to the Graduate School Office. The student should determine whether members of the Thesis Committee also want copies. Graduate students may request an exception to the policy regarding copies for Committee members by written petition to the graduate faculty of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Following completion of all requirements, the Intent-to-Graduate form needs to be completed and sent to the Graduate School.
