Master's Degree in Biochemistry or Biophysics

Program Overview
The M.S. programs in BBMB are designed to train students in the ability to perform original research in the modern biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology disciplines. The program is useful for students who prefer to undertake research training without the longer-term commitment required for the Ph.D. degree. M.S. programs also are useful for students who are interested more in technical aspects of research than in careers as research directors. Successful defense of an independent research dissertation is required for the M.S. degree. The program requires, on average, about 3 years of graduate level study. About one-half of the total time is devoted to research, and one-half to advanced coursework and professional seminars. The dissertation research project is undertaken in the laboratory of a faculty mentor, under her or his close supervision. The program also offers training in teaching of biochemistry to undergraduate students. Financial support is available to M.S. students, in the form of graduate assistantships.

General Timeline
M.S. degree students typically determine which faculty member will be his or her research mentor in advance of enrolling in the program. In the first year students typically spend about 1/2 of their time in formal coursework and the other 1/2 of their time working on their M.S. dissertation research. Subsequently the time commitment to courses declines, and research increases. By the end of the first year a dissertation advisory committee is formed, which comprises the mentor and two or more additional faculty members. This committee advises the student throughout the course of his or her graduate studies. When the dissertation is complete, the student defends the project in an oral examination given by the advisory committee. There is no requirement for an oral qualifying examination, in contrast to the Ph.D. program.

Teaching Requirements
M.S. students are required to serve as teaching assistants during one semester, under the guidance of a faculty instructor who has overall responsibility for the course. This assignment may be either as a 1/2-time teaching assistant (20 hours per week), or a 1/4-time teaching assistant (10 hours per week).

Career Opportunities
One common career course beyond the M.S. degree is to work in a high level technical position as part of a research team, either in industry or in academic laboratories. Another common track is to complete an M.S. degree at one institution, and then enter a Ph.D. program either at the same institution or a different one. In such instances the Ph.D. degree should take less time because the student already is well trained in how to perform independent research and also has taken many of the courses that would be required for the Ph.D. Other students complete a M.S. degree and then enter other fields in industries that involve biomedical research, functioning within those entities in areas such as administration, regulation, sales, etc.

Differences Between the Biophysics and Biochemistry Majors
These two majors are similar in the course work requirements. The major difference is that a six-credit sequence in Biochemistry (BBMB 404, 405) can be accepted in the Biophysics major in lieu of the eight-credit sequence (BBMB 501, 502) that is required of Biochemistry majors. This reduction in required credits is intended to accommodate additional coursework in physics that is not required in the Biochemistry major.

Necessary Undergraduate Training
Most students that enter the graduate program will hold a B.S. degree in biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, or physics. All graduate students entering the Department of BBMB will be expected to have taken one semester of analytical chemistry, one year of organic chemistry and, in most instances, one year of physical chemistry. Students lacking any of these courses will be required to take them as soon as feasible after entering the program, preferably in the first year of study.

Note: Students are encouraged to take the Ph.D. track.

Course Requirements for M.S. Degree in Biochemistry

Course Requirements for M.S. Degree in Biophysics

Financial Support for Graduate Students