Program Description
The Department of Biochemistry offers a graduate program leading to the M.S. degree. This is a research-oriented degree program
comprised of graduate course work and supervised research leading to a Master's thesis. The Master of Science program involves
approximately one year of course work and a research thesis performed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The M.S. degree can
be completed on a part-time basis. After consultations with faculty and the Chair, students should choose an advisor as quickly as
possible. The Advisor assists the student with selection of a Graduate Advisory Committee which consists of the Faculty Advisor, at
least one member of the Biochemistry faculty and at least 1 member from another department. The Graduate Advisory Committee assists the
student with their course plan, advises on the thesis project, approves the thesis, and conducts the final examination. After the
committee has been formed, the Graduate Student Advisory Committee must be submitted for approval. This information is submitted by the
student through GradTrak (https://www.apps.som.vcu.edu/gradtrak/login/login.aspx ). Full-time students can begin immediately to carry
out supervised research in the laboratory of their advisor. A thesis project should be chosen by the student by the end of the first
semester in consultation with the advisor.
Final Oral Examination
MS candidates must pass a final oral examination. The Graduate Advisory Committee must meet during the semester in which the student
intends to defend and approve the student’s request to file a graduation application. The student’s advisory committee must approve of
the filing of a graduation application before the graduate program director can sign the graduation application. Departmental approval
forms can be obtained from http://www.vcu.edu/biochem/students/g-forms.shtml for the form). A Dean’s representative must be present at
the final MS examination. This individual should be a member of the graduate faculty who does not hold a primary appointment in the
Department of Biochemistry. The student should schedule the Final Oral Examination using an Exam Scheduling Form (available on
GradTrak https://www.apps.som.vcu.edu/gradtrak/login/login.aspx ). A written thesis approved by the student's Graduate Advisory
Committee completes the requirements leading to the M.S. degree.
Thesis
Upon completion of their research project, the student writes a thesis which is reviewed by the Graduate Advisory Committee. In
addition, the committee must approve of the thesis before the final exam scheduling form can be submitted and approved by the Program
Director. The student must submit the thesis to his/ her Committee at least 10 working days before submission of the final exam
scheduling form which, in turn, must be submitted at least 10 working days before the defense. As such, students should allow
approximately 20 working days between submission of the thesis and the date of the final defense. Departmental permission forms for
filing of the graduation application and final exam scheduling form are available at http://www.vcu.edu/biochem/students/g-forms.shtml.
The thesis is then defended in a final oral examination which is open to the public, but only the student's Graduate Advisory Committee
votes on passage of the exam.
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology MS Program Support/ Financial Aid
Students in the M.S. program do not receive financial support from the Department of Biochemistry, although a student working on a thesis project can be employed as a research assistant on their advisor's research grant. In addition, various forms of financial aid are available for graduate students through the University Services/Financial Aid Office. A form to request financial aid through that mechanism is included in the application package.
MS Curriculum in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
MS students in Biochemistry take courses designed for graduate students with an emphasis on research design and experimentation. MS students must amass at least 24 credit hours (exclusive of research credits). The VCU School of Graduate Studies stipulates that “Generally, a maximum of one third of the didactic hours required for a master’s degree or any graduate certificate program may be transferred from another VCU program or outside institution. Acceptance of transfer credit is made at the school level.” The GPC will review all requests for transfer of credit and forward them to the School of Graduate Studies for approval. For students holding the MD, DDS, or other professional degrees, successful completion of biochemistry/ cell biology is equivalent to the BIOC 503-504 series.
The following graduate courses are required and constitute the core courses of the curriculum:
- BIOC 505: Experimental biochemistry/ research rotation (typically year 01, three rotations required)
- BIOC 503: Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology I (typically year 01)
- BIOC 504: Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology II (typically year 01)
- BIOC 602: Physical Properties of Macromolecules (1-4 modules, typically year 01)*
- BIOC 604: Enzymology (1-3 modules, typically year 02)*
- BIOC 605: Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology (typically year 02)
- MICR 507: Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics (typically year 02)
- BIOC 690: Biochemistry Seminar (each semester)
- BIOC 691.901: Special Topics in Biochemistry/ student seminar (each semester)
- BIOC 691.904: Special Topics in Biochemistry: Critical Thinking (typically year 01)
- MICR 512: Laboratory Safety (typically year 01)
- MICR 510: Scientific Integrity (typically year 02)
- BIOC 697: Directed research in Biochemistry (each semester)
* Students will select modules from 602 and 604 to get 4 credits (at least 1 credit from each)
The core set of required courses can be supplemented with elective courses offered by the department of Biochemistry or other departments. Electives may include: Enzymology, Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology, Signal Transduction, Techniques in Molecular Biology & Genetics, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular genetics, Mammalian physiology, Advanced organic and physical chemistry, among others.
A typical course plan for the full-time M.S. student is described below.
| Credit Hours |
| First Fall Semester |
|
BIOC
503 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular
Biology I
|
5.0
|
|
MICR 512 Laboratory Safety
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
690 Biochemistry Research Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
691 Critical Scientific Thinking
(Department Seminar)
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
505 Experimental Biochemistry (Laboratory Rotation)
|
2.0
|
| |
|
| First Spring Semester |
|
BIOC
504 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular
Biology II
|
5.0
|
|
BIOC
602 Physical Properties of Macromolecules
Students will select modules from 602 and 604 to get 4 credits (at least 1 credit from each)
|
1-4.0
|
|
BIOC
690 Biochemistry Research Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
ANAT
691 Scientific Writing
|
2.0
|
|
BIOC
691 Critical Scientific Thinking
(Department Seminar)
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
505 Experimental Biochemistry (Laboratory Rotation)
|
2.0
|
| |
|
| Second Fall Semester |
|
BIOC
605 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology
|
3.0
|
|
BIOC
604 Enzymology
Students will select modules from 602 and 604 to get 4 credits (at least 1 credit from each)
|
1-3.0
|
|
MICR
507 Techniques in Molecular Biology & Genetics
|
2.0
|
|
MICR 510 Scientific Integrity
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
690 Biochemistry Research Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
691 Student Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
697 Directed Research in Biochemistry
|
variable
|
| |
|
| Second Spring Semester |
|
BIOC
690 Biochemistry Research Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
691 Student Seminar
|
1.0
|
|
BIOC
697 Directed Research in Biochemistry
Optional Course
|
variable
|
MS candidates are required to amass 24 credit hours (exclusive of research credits). More advanced or other courses can be added by approval of the student's advisor.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research
Beginning in Fall 2005, all MS students are required to complete the following
training in the responsible conduct of research:
- MICR 510, Scientific Integrity, 2
cr, Fall Semester, year 02
- Collaborative Investigator Training Initiative (CITI)
: this is an on-line course that provides training in Human Subjects Research. The
course must be completed during the Fall Semester of year 02. Students should submit
the “Certificate of Completion” before starting the Spring Semester of year 02.
Consult the following link to access the course:
http://www.research.vcu.edu/irb/education.htm
- Research Training. Org: this is an
on-line course that provides training in Animal Subjects Research. The course must
be completed during the Fall Semester of year 02. Students should submit the
“Certificate of Completion” before starting the Spring Semester of year 02. Consult
the following link to access the course:
http://www.research.vcu.edu/iacuc/lata.htm
Continuing for the PhD
Students who plan to eventually work towards the Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at VCU should apply directly to our Ph.D. program and forego the M.S. degree. Applicants who are unsure if they want to earn a Ph.D., and desire experience in biomedical research before making this decision, will be well served by our M.S. program. Outstanding performance in our M.S. program could help gain admittance to a doctoral program at VCU or elsewhere.
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