GRADUATE STUDIES IN BIOCHEMISTRY
The Biochemistry Department offers programs leading to either the Ph.D. or
M.S. degrees. All full time Ph.D. and M.S. students receive a competitive stipend,
health insurance, and all academic tuition fees are waved.
The PH.D. Program
Students may enter the Biochemistry Ph.D. program by directly applying into the Department for acceptance. Applications should be submitted in late autumn or early winter for an anticipated enrollment the following July. Preference is given to applications received before February 1st. Students without biological training may apply but must possess strong grades, GRE scores, and have completed undergraduate courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
To apply students should submit a completed application form, three letters of recommendation, official undergraduate transcript(s), official GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical) and, when applicable, official TOEFL scores.
Application forms are obtained from:
Ms. Sakeenah Bari-Harold
Ph.D. Admissions Department of Biochemistry
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106-4935
(216) 368 3334
Alternatively students may also enter the Biochemistry program through the Medical School’s umbrella graduate program the Biomedical Scientist Training Program. The main difference between the two mechanisms is that admission through the Department provides a more direct route into the program’s laboratories. The Biomedical Scientist Training Program encompasses several departments within the School of Medicine and offers students an opportunity to rotate through a larger number of research laboratories. Regardless of how a student enters the program course work and research requirements are identical. For more information see the Biomedical Scientist Training Program website.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include course work, research rotations (to facilitate the selection of an advisor), participation in formal and informal seminars, a qualifying exam, and publishable research and dissertation. Teaching opportunities are also available but teaching is not a requirement to complete the degree.
All first year Ph.D. students take a set of four core courses in "Cell and Molecular Biology" which consists of six hours of lectures each week, with lecturing faculty representing most of the Departments in the School of Medicine. Four advanced science courses are also required, two in Biochemistry (one course must be either BIOC 412 or BIOC 434), and the remaining two from other disciplines. Physical chemistry may also be required for students who choose to conduct research in the fields of X-ray crystallography or protein structure and function.
During the first year students also become acquainted with research opportunities by participating in three one-month long rotations in Biochemistry research laboratories. A research advisor is selected upon completion of rotations in December, in consultation with the Graduate Education Committee. Students who select a faculty member conducting metabolic research become eligible for admission to the Metabolism Training Program, an interdisciplinary program funded by the NIH.
At the end of the second year students must pass a preliminary qualifying exam. The exam consist of a NIH style written proposal and an oral defense. The chosen topic must be unrelated to the student’s thesis research. The exam provides students with experience in formulating and assessing the feasibility of original research ideas and defending their scientific merit. Successful completion of the qualifying exam advances the student to Ph.D. candidacy.
Dissertation research is the most important part of the Ph.D. Program. Original research is carried out in close consultation with the dissertation advisor. The purpose of the dissertation is to give the student a deep understanding of one area of biochemistry, as well as training in research methods and scientific writing. In consultation with the advisor, students select four members to join their pre-thesis committee. The committee is typically composed of three faculty from the Department and one outside member. The advisor and pre-thesis committee members provide recommendations for areas of specific study and assist the Ph.D. candidate to ensure a successful and timely completion of the degree. Students prepare a completed research proposal for the first pre-thesis committee meeting and are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from all members of the Department.
In addition to course and research work students participate in a variety of formal and informal research seminars. Students attend weekly Biochemistry Program seminars and special symposia throughout the year featuring speakers from Case and outside universities. During the second year each student is required to present a Departmental seminar describing research from the current literature. A Departmental seminar is also required for presentation of a students thesis research upon completion of their degree.
The M.S. Program
The Biochemistry Department offers two M.S. degrees each with different degree requirements. A three year program with heavy emphasis on research leads to a Master's of Science in Biochemical Research. A two year course work program leads to a Master's of Science in Biochemistry. Students with the Biochemical Research degree are well-suited for positions in academic, government, hospital, and industrial laboratories. Students with the Biochemistry degree obtain positions in fields not directly involved with research, such as teaching and various administrative positions in the pharmaceutical industry. M.S. students may transfer into the Ph.D. program but they must have performed well in their coursework and displayed significant research potential.
M.S. students can be admitted in either the fall or spring. Deadlines for completed applications are June 15 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. The M.S. program is independent of the Ph.D. program and students are evaluated by different committees.
For M.S. application students should submit a completed application form, three letters of recommendation, official undergraduate transcript(s), official GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical) and, when applicable, official TOEFL scores.
Application forms are obtained from:
Ms. Sakeenah Bari-Harold
Master's Admissions
Department of Biochemistry
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106-4935
(216) 368 3334
M.S. in Biochemical Research Degree Requirements
Students take courses, engage in research, and participate in formal and informal seminars. Participation in seminars is similar to that of Ph.D. students.
Students usually take one course in each of the first four semesters with the remaining time spent in the laboratory. The only required course is "General Biochemistry". The remaining courses are selected by the student and the advisory committee to provide a coordinated and well-rounded program with specificity in molecular biology, protein chemistry, metabolism, or structural biology.
Students spend the majority of their time conducting independent research with input from an advisory committee. This committee is composed of three faculty members chosen for the student during the first year. It provides scientific expertise, offers support in overcoming research difficulties, and evaluates the student's progress.
M.S. in Biochemistry Degree Requirements
Students take a full load of courses, participate in seminars, and engage in moderate research. Participation in seminars is similar to that of Ph.D. students. Students typically enroll in three courses for each of four semesters. Included are two lecture courses and one research course. Required courses are "General Biochemistry", "Molecular Biology", six to twelve credits of "Biochemical Research". Remaining courses are selected by the student in consultation with an academic advisor assigned to the student upon enrollment into the program.
|
