The听major听goals of听the Ph.D. program in biochemistry听are听to听master听known principles听and techniques, develop the intellectual tools for collecting and analyzing data, to produce听new听fundamental knowledge听through research, and to be able to effectively communicate the results of original research through oral and written means.听
The academic and other requirements for obtaining a Ph.D. degree are outlined below. Students are responsible for understanding their degree program and fulfilling these requirements. In addition, other pertinent information is provided for course registration, salary support, health insurance, exams, and other topics.
This page is provided as a reference, however, the most complete and up-to-date information for current students can be found in the听Departmental Rules for Advanced Degrees, available in the Helpful Links & Useful Documents section below.
Ph.D. Program Timeline
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Fall
Arriving on Campus
1st听year students begin at the 麻豆影院 in August with a series of orientations. The department will reach out to students with more detailed instructions prior to the beginning of the semester.
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Year 1
Fall and Spring Semesters of Year 1
The 1st听year typically consists of laboratory rotations, coursework, and a teaching assistantship.
Laboratory Rotations听鈥� Students participate in four rotations during their first academic year (two during each semester). The rotation lasts ~8-weeks. A rotation is a time when a student听previews joining a laboratory by participating in research and attending laboratory events/meetings. The goal of laboratory rotations is to help students find a match with prospective thesis advisor. Biochemistry Ph.D. students can rotate with investigators from across the University but must perform their first rotation with a Biochemistry faculty member.
Coursework听鈥� Students take a number of graduate-level courses within their first year. The most important are two semesters of Biochemistry Core, a class only for Biochemistry Ph.D. students that provides a foundation in principles of biochemistry and essentials for research.
Teaching Assistantship听鈥� Students听are typically funded as Teaching Assistants for their 1st听year. In subsequent years, students are typically funded by their thesis advisors lab as Research Assistants.
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Summer
Joining a Lab
1st听year students typically 鈥渏oin a lab鈥� at the end of Spring Semester of their first year. Joining a lab consists of selecting a thesis advisor (also called mentor) with whom to perform their dissertation research. Labs may begin financially supporting students at this time. Students are encouraged to apply to one of the NIH training grants at the 麻豆影院 during this time.
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Year 2
Year 2
After joining a lab, 2nd听year students in Biochemistry labs usually no longer teach. This year typically consists of applying for fellowships, taking qualifying exams (also known as COMPs), completing elective coursework, and dissertation research.
Applying for Fellowships听鈥� Biochemistry Ph.D. students are encouraged, but not required, to apply to fellowships to support their stipend and research. Our students have received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP), National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 Predoctoral Fellowship, and many other prestigious fellowships.
Qualifying Exams (COMPs)听鈥� During the second year, students take qualifying exams. Passing these exams advances students to Ph.D. Candidacy.
Coursework听鈥� Students complete the remaining coursework required to fulfill their degree. Typically, second year students take electives on specialty topics they choose.
Dissertation Research听鈥� After joining a laboratory, students spend virtually all of their time working with their thesis advisor to perform research for their dissertation.
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Years 3鈥�5
Years 3鈥�5
After advancing to Ph.D. candidacy, students spend virtually all of their time working with their thesis advisor to perform research for their dissertation. Students in Biochemistry convene a Thesis Committee of 3鈥�5 faculty members who meet annually to provide advice and guide students through their degree.
-
Graduation
Graduation and Degree Conferral
Students who have fulfilled the degree requirements for a Ph.D. in Biochemistry prepare a written Dissertation/Thesis and hold a Thesis Defense. The average time to completion is 5.5 years.
Fall
Arriving on Campus
1st听year students begin at the 麻豆影院 in August with a series of orientations. The department will reach out to students with more detailed instructions prior to the beginning of the semester.
Year 1
Fall and Spring Semesters of Year 1
The 1st听year typically consists of laboratory rotations, coursework, and a teaching assistantship.
Laboratory Rotations听鈥� Students participate in four rotations during their first academic year (two during each semester). The rotation lasts ~8-weeks. A rotation is a time when a student听previews joining a laboratory by participating in research and attending laboratory events/meetings. The goal of laboratory rotations is to help students find a match with prospective thesis advisor. Biochemistry Ph.D. students can rotate with investigators from across the University but must perform their first rotation with a Biochemistry faculty member.
Coursework听鈥� Students take a number of graduate-level courses within their first year. The most important are two semesters of Biochemistry Core, a class only for Biochemistry Ph.D. students that provides a foundation in principles of biochemistry and essentials for research.
Teaching Assistantship听鈥� Students听are typically funded as Teaching Assistants for their 1st听year. In subsequent years, students are typically funded by their thesis advisors lab as Research Assistants.
Summer
Joining a Lab
1st听year students typically 鈥渏oin a lab鈥� at the end of Spring Semester of their first year. Joining a lab consists of selecting a thesis advisor (also called mentor) with whom to perform their dissertation research. Labs may begin financially supporting students at this time. Students are encouraged to apply to one of the NIH training grants at the 麻豆影院 during this time.
Year 2
Year 2
After joining a lab, 2nd听year students in Biochemistry labs usually no longer teach. This year typically consists of applying for fellowships, taking qualifying exams (also known as COMPs), completing elective coursework, and dissertation research.
Applying for Fellowships听鈥� Biochemistry Ph.D. students are encouraged, but not required, to apply to fellowships to support their stipend and research. Our students have received the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP), National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31 Predoctoral Fellowship, and many other prestigious fellowships.
Qualifying Exams (COMPs)听鈥� During the second year, students take qualifying exams. Passing these exams advances students to Ph.D. Candidacy.
Coursework听鈥� Students complete the remaining coursework required to fulfill their degree. Typically, second year students take electives on specialty topics they choose.
Dissertation Research听鈥� After joining a laboratory, students spend virtually all of their time working with their thesis advisor to perform research for their dissertation.
Years 3鈥�5
Years 3鈥�5
After advancing to Ph.D. candidacy, students spend virtually all of their time working with their thesis advisor to perform research for their dissertation. Students in Biochemistry convene a Thesis Committee of 3鈥�5 faculty members who meet annually to provide advice and guide students through their degree.
Graduation
Graduation and Degree Conferral
Students who have fulfilled the degree requirements for a Ph.D. in Biochemistry prepare a written Dissertation/Thesis and hold a Thesis Defense. The average time to completion is 5.5 years.
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