Biochemistry MS
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (thesis or non-thesis) in Biochemistry (specialties: bioanalytical chemistry and peptide, protein, lipid and nucleic acid chemistry). These programs are designed to prepare students for careers in academic, industrial, and governmental settings. Individualized programs of study, which take advantage of modern instrumentation, provide a solid foundation for independent research.
Expert instructors bring biology and chemistry disciplines together and research opportunities link those lessons to the real world. You’ll take classes on our University City campus and have the option to pursue research-based (thesis) or classroom-based (non-thesis) degrees.
Students entering the graduate program in biochemistry may have any undergraduate degree that satisfies all the prerequisites for these programs. However, in some instances the graduate program director will need to assign appropriate remedial courses to ensure that students are properly prepared for the graduate courses in their particular program. In order to help the program director evaluate an entering student's background, each student takes a series of entrance examinations in specific areas of chemistry.
Biochemistry MS: Non-Thesis
Goal 1: Students will develop a strong background and achieve advanced knowledge in major areas of biochemistry.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to explain a broad range of advanced biochemical concepts.
Goal 2: Students will conduct effective literature research in biochemistry and communicate the finding in both oral and/or writing form.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to give a presentation on a biochemistry subject in either oral or written format.
Biochemistry MS: Thesis
Goal 1: Students will develop a strong background and achieve advanced knowledge in chosen areas of biochemistry.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to explain advanced biochemical concepts.
Goal 2: Students will develop proficiency in conducting research in biochemistry.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to design and carry out an experiment given a biochemical problem.
Thesis Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 704 | Statistics for Research | 3 |
| CHM 786 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| CHM 802 | Research Seminar | 2 |
| Electives: Three Biochemistry Graduate level courses | 9 | |
| Elective courses must be approved by Advisor, Advisory Committee, or Program Director. | ||
| Biophysical Chemistry | ||
| Nucleic Acid Biochemistry | ||
| Inorganic Biochemistry | ||
| Spectroscopy | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Structure-Activity Relatnshps | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry | ||
| Computer Aided Drug Design | ||
| Research Courses (15+credits) | 15 | |
14 credits minimum, more may be required to complete a master's level research project | ||
| CHM 878 | Introduction to Research | 1 |
| CHM 899 | Graduate Research | 1-9 |
| Total Hours | 32-40 | |
In addition to the above coursework, thesis students have a number of progression milestones which include:
- Selection of Research Advisor
- Selection of Research Committee
- Preparing a committee approved Research Prospectus
- Presentation of your research efforts at an external venue at least once
- Preparing a committee approved Thesis on your original research
- Successful Defense of your thesis work
Non Thesis Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 704 | Statistics for Research | 3 |
| CHM 786 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| CHM 802 | Research Seminar | 2 |
| Electives: 8 Biochemistry graduate level courses | 24 | |
| Elective courses must be approved by Program Director. Up to 3 credits of research may be applied towards this requirement. | ||
| Biophysical Chemistry | ||
| Nucleic Acid Biochemistry | ||
| Inorganic Biochemistry | ||
| Spectroscopy | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Structure-Activity Relatnshps | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry | ||
| Computer Aided Drug Design | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |