JD/MS in Biochemistry

This program allows students in the School of Law to earn an MS degree in Biochemistry with one additional year of study. This program is useful for students with an interest in intellectual property law who are planning careers in biotechnology or the pharmaceutical industry. Students learn about intellectual property law in their JD studies and about the latest developments in the biomedical sciences in their Biochemistry studies, which allows them to work with clients who are scientists.

Admission

Students usually enter the program after entering the JD program and deciding that their interest lies in the area of biomedical intellectual property, but students may apply earlier.  Students in the JD program can apply in the first or second year. Students must submit an application through our online system. Please check with the graduate advisor about the required materials. Prerequisites in the sciences include introductory biology, introductory chemistry, and organic chemistry. This background, combined with our program, will allow students to combine their scientific and legal studies. Required items include:

• an undergraduate transcript (which can be obtained from the Law School),
• a personal statement as to why you are requesting admission into this program and
• any undergraduate letters or other materials (GRE) that might relate to your scientific background.

Program of Study

In the dual degree program, students complete 12 fewer hours of law school coursework than they would if they were in the JD program alone. The Department of Biochemistry accepts 9 hours of law school classwork in courses dealing with science issues, in place of 9 credits of other elective work. Thus, the student will take a total of 27 hours of Biochemistry coursework of which at least 12 hours must be letter graded.  (For students following the 2024-25 General Bulletin, the Biochemistry coursework is reduced to 21 hours of which 12 must be letter graded.)

Most students complete the first-year law school curriculum and then mix and match biochemistry and law courses in the following years (see the sample schedule below).

Dual degree students are advised about the JD degree by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Law. In addition, dual degree students are granted priority registration for upper-level courses, ensuring that they will be able to adjust their schedules to take all the required classes. Dual degree students are advised about the MS in Biochemistry by the program's Graduate Advisor.

View a full description of the JD/MS in Biochemistry Program. Questions concerning this program should be addressed to either Dr. Susan Wang (scw10@case.edu) of the Biochemistry Department or the Admissions Office of the School of Law (lawadmissions@case.edu).

Year 1 

Law School 1L curriculum (32 hours)

Year 2

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year 3

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year 4

Semester 1

Semester 2

Successful completion of the program require 103 credits:Years 3 & 4 include completing the upper class legal writing requirement and LAWS 375 Professional Responsibility in the School of Law.

*Reduced from 27 to 21 for students following the 2024-25 General Bulletin

**Reduced from 103 to 97 for students following the 2024-25 General Bulletin