Biochemistry, M.S.

Prerequisites

Acceptance as a Graduate Student

Acceptance as a graduate student by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Bachelor’s Degree Requirement

A bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry or biochemistry or one of the biological sciences. Students with majors in other areas may be considered for admission at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor. Prerequisite courses include:

Two semesters of Organic Chemistry
Two semesters of Biochemistry
One semester of Physical (Bio)chemistry
Two semesters of Cell/Molecular Biology

Note:

A student who has not taken these courses is required to complete the course(s) as a graduate student.

Placement Examination in Biochemistry

Entering graduate students are required to take a placement examination in biochemistry at the beginning of the first semester of the MS program. Any student who does not pass the placement examination is required to complete an appropriate course recommended by the Graduate Advisor with a minimum grade of “B” or better.

Selection of a Research Advisor and Thesis Committee

Students select a research advisor by the fifth week of the first semester. In consultation with their research advisor, students will select two additional faculty members to serve on the Thesis Committee by the end of the 13th week of the first semester.

Thesis Proposal

Each student shall prepare a thesis proposal in collaboration with their research advisor, stating the specific topic of the research and its significance, the specific objectives of the research, and the methods to be used. The student will make a public presentation of the proposal by the end of the second semester in the MS program.

Advancement to Candidacy

The Graduate Advisor recommends advancement to candidacy after the graduate student has:

Either passed the required placement examination or achieved a grade of B or better in remediation course(s) recommended by the Graduate Advisor.

Completed at least 6 units of courses on the proposed Graduate Program

Upper Division and Graduate Work

While in residence as a graduate student at this University, earned at least a 3.0 (“B”) average in all upper division and graduate work, a 3.0 average in all CHEM courses, and a 3.0 average in all courses on the graduate program.

Approval of a Graduate Degree Program

Obtained approval of a graduate degree program by the Research Advisor, the Graduate Adviser, and the Associate Dean responsible for graduate studies in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Public Presentation of their Thesis Proposal

Made a public presentation of their thesis proposal.

Note(s):

The criteria above should be met by the beginning of the third semester of graduate study.

Requirements

Advancement to candidacy

Complete a minimum of 30 units including:

Take a minimum of 12 units in chemistry lecture courses in the 500 series (excluding CHEM 595)

Must include CHEM 541 Biochemistry Core for Graduate Study (3 units)
Three additional CHEM lecture courses in the 500 series
- Note(s): In some circumstances, another 500-level program-related lecture course may be substituted with the approval of the Graduate Advisor.

Take the following courses:

CHEM 595 - Colloquium (2 units)
CHEM 660 - Seminar in Chemistry (2-3 Units)
CHEM 695 - Directed Reading (1 Units)
CHEM 697 - Directed Research (3 Units)
CHEM 697C - Directed Research (1-3 Units)
CHEM 698 - Thesis (1-6 Units)

Additional 400- and 500-level science courses

Additional 400- and 500-level science courses (excluding CHEM 595 and required courses in the BS Biochemistry degree program) as recommended and approved by the Graduate Advisor and the College’s Associate Dean. Changes in the above pattern of course requirements may be made only at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate Advisor subject to approval by the College’s Associate Dean or designee.

Completion of a Written Thesis and Defense

At least 3 months before the thesis presentation, students need to get their thesis committee’s approval of the timeline for completion and oral presentation. The completed written thesis needs to be of publication quality and acceptable to the members of the Thesis Committee. The public defense of the thesis must be completed before the thesis is signed by the committee members.

Regular Attendance

A record of regular attendance at departmental seminars, poster sessions, thesis proposal presentations and thesis defenses.

Experience Teaching Laboratory and Discussion Sections of Chemistry Courses

While not a requirement for the degree, students in the MS program normally gain experience teaching laboratory and discussion sections of Chemistry courses, as preparation for professionally related teaching activities in their future careers.