Biochemistry (Ph.D.)

Research Instrumentation

The department is equipped with modern instrumentation core facilities to support its research program. These facilities are readily available to graduate students for hands-on experience after successfully completing a short training course.

• NMR core facility includes 600, 400, and 200 MHz solution FT-NMR spectrometers and 400, 300, 100 MHz wide-bore solid-state NMR spectrometers
• Core Campus Mass Spectrometry Facility consists of a high-resolution magnetic sector mass spectrometer with EI and CI sources and GC, HPLC, pyrolysis and fast-atom bombardment capabilities; a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer; a Eksigent/Thermo LTQ ESI LC-MS/SM dedicated to “bottom-up” proteomics studies; and an Applied Biosystems SCIEX QTRAP ESI LC-MS/MS dedicated to small molecule and metabolomics characterizations.
• Core campus proteomics facility has all the necessary equipment to prepare samples for mass-spectrometry-based proteomics characterizations.
• Optical Spectroscopy lab containing 2 FT-IR spectrometer with far-IR capabilities; time-resolved spectrofluorometer; atomic absorption and diode-array UV-Vis spectrophotometers.
• The Department is home to multiple state of the art fluorescence microscopes for the analysis of biochemical reactions involving purified molecules and within living cells. These instruments including spinning disk confocal microscopy, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, targeted photo-bleaching, instrumentation of for ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence-resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments and fluorescence-correlation spectroscopy, and optogenetics capabilities. The department also houses cell/tissue culture facilities, large- and small-scale protein-purification equipment and biophysical characterization capabilities including isothermal titration calorimetry. Campus computer facilities (including a Beowulf supercomputer cluster) are readily available.  Individual groups maintain their own systems for molecular modeling, word processing or data manipulation.  Direct, on-line computer access to chemical and biochemical literature databases such as Chemical Abstracts and Web of Science are provided by the Department.
• In addition to these departmental resources, individual research groups also maintained instrumentation including supercritical fluid chromatography and extraction, thermal analysis, laser light scattering, and computational chemistry. Campus supercomputer facilities and on-line computer access to other on-line information sources are readily available.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Comprehensive disciplinary knowledge: Graduate degree recipients will possess comprehensive disciplinary knowledge with high competence.
  • Ph.D. degree recipients will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the chemistry discipline, appropriate sub-discipline and related scientific disciplines (e.g., biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, environmental science) and be cognizant of the disciplinary development frontier.
  • Ph.D. degree recipients will be able to define scientifically meaningful research issues, develop competitive proposals, and contribute to knowledge creation through research.
  • Graduate degree recipients will be prepared to demonstrate knowledge and technical skills in a large variety of professional fields, careers and endeavors.
  • Graduate degree recipients will communicate effectively in an oral, written and visual manner to technical audiences and stakeholders.
  • Graduate degree recipients will possess and practice high standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics.
• Trans-disciplinary professional skills: Graduate degree recipients will possess trans-disciplinary professional skills.
  • Graduate degree recipients will apply creativity to innovation.
  • Graduate degree recipients will recognize the importance of workplace diversity in culture, gender, perspective, and experience.
  • Graduate degree recipients will work effectively with peers and develop mentoring skills.
  • Graduate degree recipients will develop an understanding of the intellectual property process and the business needs of their workplace.
• Familiar with research literature: Students will be familiar with the research literature of their chemistry subdiscipline and have the ability to keep abreast of major developments to acquire a working background in any area.
• Recognize meaningful problems and questions: Students will be able to demonstrate skill in the recognition of meaningful problems and questions for research.
• Technical laboratory skills: Students will possess technical skill in laboratory manipulation.
• Design experiments and conduct research: Students will be able to demonstrate skill in designing experimental protocols and in conducting productive self-directed research.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: General and subject score are recommended but not required
TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Applications are accepted for admission to the Ph.D. program in fall only.  Students are strongly encouraged to submit their applications for admission no later than January 15.  Initial offers of admission will be made no later than the first week of February.

In addition to the materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics requires the following application materials:

• A one- to two-page personal statement which includes a description of undergraduate research, work experience, or other factors demonstrating a propensity toward graduate studies. The personal statement should also include a statement of the applicant’s career goals. The applicant may upload this statement while completing the Graduate School’s online application.
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one from faculty at the applicant’s undergraduate institution. Letters should come from faculty who are directly familiar with the applicant’s academic work. They must address the applicant’s scholarly potential and may also speak to the applicant’s potential for graduate studies in the discipline. Letters should come directly from the recommenders, who may submit their letters electronically along with the personal recommendation form provided by the Graduate School. The Graduate School will email recommenders detailed instructions for submitting their recommendations using the contact information provided by the applicant.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements .