Course Work
During the first year of the Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology Graduate Program, incoming students take a core sequence
of courses that includes Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics,
Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology. This core sequence of
courses is taken by first-year graduate students within the
College of Medicine.
The following is a list of courses required for the
completion of a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Courses are listed by year and semester.
Fall Semester, Year 1
|
Title
|
Course name
|
Credits
|
Description
|
|
Regulation of Cellular and Systemic Energy
Metabolism |
BMS 501
|
3
|
Pathways utilized for energy generation in
mammalian systems; concepts of metabolic regulation
|
|
Cell and System Biology
|
BMS 502 |
3
|
This core course focuses on the principles and
concepts of cellular and intracellular organization,
assembly of cells into tissues, and further integration of
cells and tissues into biological systems.
|
|
Flow of Cellular Information |
BMS 503 |
3
|
Genetics and molecular genetics, DNA
replication, RNA synthesis and processing, genetic mobility,
recombination, and regulation of gene expression
|
|
Colloquium
|
BCHEM 590
|
1 |
A course designed to teach students to critically educate and
logically present research from published scientific
articles. |
|
Lab Rotation |
BCHEM 596 |
1 |
|
Spring Semester, Year 1
|
Title
|
Course name
|
Credits
|
Description
|
|
Enzymology, Structure |
BCHEM 581
|
1 |
Students will learn the basics of X-ray
crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.
|
|
Enzymology, Energetics |
BCHEM 582 |
1 |
Students will learn practical aspects of enzymology
including thermodynamics and kinetics. |
|
Enzymology, Function
|
BCHEM 583
|
1
|
The mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions
will be surveyed.
|
|
Glycobiology
|
BCHEM 584 |
1
|
A course designed to give students interested
in carbohydrates the basics about their chemistry.
Prerequisite: BMS 501, 502 and 503
|
|
Colloquium
|
BCHEM 590
|
1
|
A course designed to teach students to critically
educate and logically present research from published scientific
articles.
|
|
|
Genet 581-583 Genet 584-586 |
3 credits from either |
|
|
|
Elective |
2 credits from other electives |
|
|
Lab Rotation |
BCHEM 596 |
1 |
|
|
One additional credit can be taken if approved by the first
year graduate advisor |
Fall Semester, Year 2
|
Title
|
Course name
|
Credits
|
Description
|
|
Ethics in the Life Sciences
|
IBIOS 591
|
1
|
Addresses the increasingly important issues of
professional ethics in the diverse but interrelated disciplines
of the life sciences.
|
|
Colloquium
|
BCHEM 590
|
1
|
A course designed to teach students to
critically educate and logically present research from
published scientific articles.
|
|
Thesis Research |
BCHEM 600 |
v* |
Original research leading to a Ph.D. in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (prior to completion of the
Comprehensive Examination) (* credits are variable) |
|
At least six credits of additional electives selected in
consultation with their thesis advisor |
Spring Semester, Year 2
|
Title
|
Course name
|
Credits
|
Description
|
|
Colloquium |
BCHEM 590 |
1 |
A course designed to teach students to critically
educate and logically present research from published scientific
articles.
|
Year 3 through completion
|
Title
|
Course name
|
Credits
|
Description
|
|
Thesis Research |
BCHEM 600 |
v* |
Original research leading to a Ph.D. in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (prior to completion of the
Comprehensive Examination) (* credits are variable) |
|
Thesis Preparation |
BCHEM 601 |
0 |
Original research leading to a Ph.D. in
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (after completion of the
Comprehensive Examination). Includes preparation of the
written thesis and the oral defense. |
|
