Students are accepted only into the Ph.D. program, but those not completing all requirements may qualify for an M.S. degree.

Areas of Specialization. Protein structure and function, nucleic acid structure and function, molecular mechanisms of DNA rearrangements, DNA replication, chromosome mechanics, genetic recombination, nucleic acid enzymology, RNA editing and modification, mass spectrometry, biochemistry and enzymology of lipids, metabolism, signal transduction, protein turnover, ubiquitin, metalloproteins, x-ray crystallography, chromatin, ribosome structure, virus structure, mechanisms of mutagenesis.

Special Admission Requirements. Ph.D.: Applicants should have a strong undergraduate background in chemistry, including organic and physical chemistry, and/or biology, including biochemistry and molecular biology. Applications must be accompanied by GRE results, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose and career goals. A personal interview is encouraged.

Essentially all admissions to the Biochemistry Department are handled through the Molecular Biology Program or the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Biological Chemistry. Students fulfill the requirements of one of these programs during their First Year, then enter the department by choosing to pursue their thesis research with a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry. For more information, see Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology elsewhere in this section of the catalog.

Program Requirements. Ph.D.: Students are required to take graduate-level courses in biochemistry, genetics, and cell and molecular biology. Remedial work may be required.

Laboratory rotations, special topics courses, and participation in the departmental journal club and seminars are also required. Candidates must pass a preliminary examination and submit and defend a dissertation based on original research. There are no foreign language requirements.

See Molecular Biology and Biological Chemistry elsewhere in this section of the catalog for specific first-year course requirements for those programs, or contact the programs office at 581-5207.

Fellowships and Assistantships. The department provides financial assistance including stipends and tuition to all full-time graduate students.

BIO C Course Descriptions