Why a Concurrent B.S./M.S. in Biochemistry?

This dual-degree program offers a path for biochemistry majors at Iowa State to distinguish their research and critical thinking skills while pursuing publication. With thesis and creative component options, the B.S./M.S. concurrent program allows for customization of how students demonstrate mastery. 

• Consider the B.S./M.S. concurrent program in biochemistry with thesis option if you are a research-track undergraduate with research experience, an established lab willing to support your extended research as a Masters student, an interest in advanced coursework, and desire to complete substantive research-centered writing.
• Consider the B.S./M.S. concurrent program in biochemistry with creative component option if you are an undergraduate with an interest in advanced coursework, a desire to complete substantive research-centered writing, and if you have identified a significant area of research interest and a faculty member willing to mentor you on the creative component project. If you would like guidance on potential formats for your creative component, contact the BBMB Director of Graduate Education.

Please note that to conduct research in the field of biochemistry at the highest level of autonomy, a Ph.D. is recommended. Discuss career goals with your Faculty Mentor, Research Mentor, Program Coordinator, Advisor, and other trusted mentors.

Program Timeline

The B.S./M.S. concurrent program should be discussed with your proposed M.S. Mentor (either your Research or Creative Component Mentor), the undergraduate program coordinator, and the graduate program coordinator well in advance of application to confirm whether the concurrent program is an appropriate fit for your situation and goals as well as to determine your application timeline. Application timelines below may need adjustments depending on your situation.

Note 4/2025: The timeline below is for students enrolled in the B.S./M.S. concurrent degree program with thesis. Similar guidance for B.S./M.S. with creative component is in development. If you need immediate guidance on pursuing B.S./M.S. concurrent degree in biochemistry with creative component, contact the BBMB Director of Graduate Education.

An application for Concurrent Enrollment should be made near the end of the junior undergraduate (third) year.  Students would begin research for the M.S. thesis during the summer semester after their junior year, although planning for this track should begin earlier.

Plan to be in residence at the ISU campus for three summers following admission to the concurrent enrollment B.S./M.S. program. Full-time thesis research normally begins during the summer semester after the junior year. The time during the fourth and fifth academic years is divided between undergraduate coursework, graduate coursework, and thesis research. Typically, the summer following the fifth year is devoted to writing the Master's thesis, and both degrees can be awarded at the end of that summer.

Students are eligible for financial support in the form of a graduate research or teaching assistantship after a student has been admitted to the concurrent B.S./M.S. degree program.

To begin the application process, a student must identify a research group for the M.S. thesis project and obtain an agreement of support of the faculty member who leads that group.  Both the student and their faculty adviser can use the attached BBMB POS Forms Concurrent Program (PDF) worksheet for the student's B.S. and M.S. degree course plan.  See the Graduate College Handbook for more information about concurrent degree program requirements.

Application to the program is made through the department office. The application includes the concurrent enrollment form, three letters of recommendation -- one of which is from the proposed research director that confirms financial support and describes the M.S. thesis research area --and an up-to-date unofficial transcript. Students entering this program should have taken BBMB 5040, 5050, 5060 and 5070 and earned an average grade of B-, 2-3 credits in BBMB 4990 Undergraduate Research, or have been employed in a biochemistry research laboratory, or participated in a formal research internship program. Strong academic performance during the earlier years of undergraduate study also is required.

Undergraduate Program

All of the course requirements for the B.S. Biochemistry (CALS or LAS) must be met. The concurrent B.S. and M.S. degree program requires that the biochemistry sequence option be the graduate level courses BBMB 5040, 5050, 5060 and 5070.  Students in concurrent degree programs may, subject to Program of Study committee approval, double count up to 6 ISU credits for both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.  See the Graduate College Handbook for more information about concurrent degree programs.

Graduate Program

A minimum of 30 graduate credits are required to earn an M.S. degree.  The minimum grade required by the department for all core courses is a B minus (B-).  If a grade below B minus (B-) is earned, the core course must be retaken.  See the BBMB Graduate Handbook for more information about BBMB graduate programs.

BBMB 5040, 5050, 5060, 5070 (2 credits each) Comprehensive Biochemistry.  These courses must be completed prior to applying to the concurrent B.S. and M.S. degree program.

Each BBMB 5040 through 5070 course can be taken independently of the other, but are all four courses (total 8 credits) are required for the BS/MS, MS, PhD and graduate certificate programs in biochemistry.

Each course is a comprehensive treatment of biochemistry with emphasis on fundamental chemical and physical principles. BBMB 504 focuses on amino acids and proteins, BBMB 5050 on bioenergetics and metabolism, BBMB 5060 on membrane biochemistry and BBMB 5070 on biochemistry of nucleic acids.

BBMB 5610 and 5610L (2 credits each) Molecular Biophysics Lecture and Laboratory.

Physical methods for the study of molecular structure and organization of biological materials. X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, hydrodynamics and fluorescence spectroscopy. Registration for the graduate credit commits the student to graduate-level examinations, which differ from undergraduate-level examinations in the number and/or difficulty of questions.

BBMB 6820. Departmental Seminar (Registration credit, or R-credit, only).  Formal research presentations by staff, students, and invited speakers. Registration and attendance at the seminars is required each fall and spring semester.

BBMB 6990. Research (variable credit).  Independent research towards the M.S. dissertation.