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Graduate Committee
Drs. Sushil Kumar (Program Director) and Melissa Teoh(co-chair), Sarathy Seshacharyulu, Imay Lakshmanan, and Moorthy Ponnusamy

The Master of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program provides an opportunity for individuals desiring careers in health sciences, industry, education, or research to prepare themselves for either professional studies or positions demanding mastery of science beyond the baccalaureate level. Students will experience seminars and comprehensive exams that are tailored to their expected careers, as well as unique experiences in bench science with training in basic and advanced laboratory techniques used in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

MS Curriculum

Students pursuing the MS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology must choose either the Non-Thesis Track or the Thesis Track. Each track consists of required courses and the opportunity to take elective courses. The number of graduate-level electives (and the specific electives courses to be taken) will vary with each student. Individual Programs of Study will be designed for each student by their Advisory Committee with the approval of the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Master's Program Graduate Committee.

The Non-Thesis Track is a 12-month program with an emphasis on coursework and experiences that will prepare the students for careers other than independent research. Students will experience seminars and comprehensive exams that are tailored to their expected careers, as well as unique experiences in bench science with training in basic and advanced laboratory techniques used in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

The Thesis Track generally requires full-time enrollment for a minimum of 2 years. The emphasis of this track is on research and development of independent hypothesis and critical reasoning skills. For this track only, a part-time graduate assistantship and tuition waiver may be available after joining a laboratory.

Coursework (Non-Thesis Track)

Required Courses
BMB 801FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMOLECULES3
BMB 815METABOLISM2
BMB 840SEMINAR WITH DISCUSSION (Taken each semester of full-time enrollment and no less than twice.)2
IPBS 805FUNDAMENTALS OF CELLULAR PROCESSES3
IPBS 860SUCCESS SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS1
BMB 843LABORATORY TRAINING IN BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: BASIC3
BMB 844ADVANCED LABORATORY TRAINING IN BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY5-10
Electives (9 credits)
These elective credits may include up to 5 additional hours of BMB 844.

Coursework (Thesis Track)

BMB 801FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMOLECULES3
BMB 815METABOLISM2
BMB 840SEMINAR WITH DISCUSSION (Taken each semester of full-time enrollment.)2
BMB 940SPECIAL TOPICS1-3
IPBS 805FUNDAMENTALS OF CELLULAR PROCESSES3
IPBS 860SUCCESS SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS1
BMB 899MASTERS THESIS1-9