Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology Major, PhD

Requirements

• BCMB 511 , BCMB 512 , BCMB 515 , and 6 credit hours of BCMB 516 . 
• At least two additional approved graduate courses in the life sciences or chemistry, or physics, or other physical science to be determined upon consultation with the mentor and the dissertation committee. No survey courses will be accepted. 
• At least 6 credit hours of topics offered in BCMB 615  or its equivalent. 
• Participation in BCMB 601  and BCMB 603  during the entire period of residence. Participation in at least one journal club chosen from among BCMB 605 , BCMB 606 , BCMB 607 , BCMB 608  for 6 semesters. 
• Passing a comprehensive examination, taken before the end of the third year of study. 
• A dissertation reporting the results of original and significant research carried out during the term of candidacy.
• Passing a final oral examination which will be concerned primarily with the student’s dissertation.

Petitioning for Master’s Degree

Students who have passed the comprehensive examination in the PhD program and have completed at least 30 credit hours of approved course work for graduate credit, at least two-thirds of which must be at or above the 500-level, may petition the department for award of a master’s degree. The additional requirements for such a degree are

• Preparation of a research manuscript suitable for submission for publication in a major scientific journal and oral defense of that manuscript before an examining committee of three faculty members appointed by the head of the department, at least two of whom shall be members of the department.
  or
• Publication of at least one full-length paper in a major scientific journal as first author.