Masters of Science in Biochemistry - Thesis Option

Objective:

The Department of Biochemistry at The Ohio State University will train students with a suitable Bachelors degree for a career in biochemistry.  Students spend an average of two and one-half years in this program.  Coursework includes a core curriculum with an emphasis on biochemistry (laboratory and lecture) courses, and electives for further specialization.  At the end of the first year, students select a thesis advisor and research project.

Financial aid:

Students admitted to the program are self-supporting throughout the first five quarters of the program.  However, the Department of Biochemistry may be able to provide financial support in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships to qualified applicants.  Research advisors may choose to place students on Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Graduate Research Assistantships once the student has joined a lab for his/her thesis project.  A monthly stipend will be provided and tuition fees will be waved for recipients of GTA and GRA support.

Eligibility for admission:

Interested students should submit an application to theGraduate School Admissions Office (see Contact Information below) along with a complete set of transcripts, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and other information pertinent for the Admissions Committee.  Applicants must have graduated with a Bachelors degree in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, or an allied major at the time of admission.

Degree Requirements:

Timetable-

1st Year
Fall, winter, and spring quarters: core curriculum and seminar
Summer quarter: thesis research

2nd Year
Electives, seminar, and thesis research

Requirements for graduation (45 credit hours minimum)-

Core courses: 25 hours
Electives:  3 hours
Seminar:  2 hours – in 2 full years.  Must be enrolled AU, WI and SP quarters.
Research: 15 hours
Written and oral defense of the thesis

Core curriculum-

Molecular Genetics 701: DNA Transactions (3 hrs)
Biochemistry 702: Regulation of Gene Expression (3 hrs)
Mol Cell Biochemistry 761: Proteins (3 hrs)
Chemistry 762: Advanced Biochemistry: Enzymes (3 hrs)
Chemistry 763: Membranes/Bioenergetics (2 hrs)
Biochemistry 766: Advanced Biochemistry, Nucleic Acids (3 hrs)
Biochemistry 770: Protein Engineering (3 hrs)
Biochemistry 850: Seminar (2 hrs) Required each quarter but creidt will be given for only one quarter
Biochemistry 999: Thesis Research (15 hrs)

In this seminar course, students are expected to present research work, either of peers (articles) or of his or her own work (original data).  It is expected that participation in this course will hone the students’ skills with regard to design of hypotheses and critical analysis of raw data.

Recommended Electives-

Chemistry: 632, 651, 652, 731, 733
Microbiology: 509, 520, 521, 649, 670, 680, 723
Molecular Genetics: 622, 640, 650, 705, 715, 734

In general, any reasonable science course at the 500 level or above (600 within the department) will count for the fulfillment of the requirements.  However, since the faculty have found some courses to be unsuitable for a variety of reasons, please check with the graduate committee or your advisor before enrolling.

Contact Information

You should apply on-line through The Ohio State University Graduate school at the following link: http://gradadmissions.osu.edu For further information on admission requirements and deadlines see: Graduate Admission Information

However, please have your reference letters sent directly to our Department Office Attn: Graduate Admissions. For further information on the M.S. degree options call the Department office at (614) 292-6771 or contact Dr. Donald Dean, Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, at dean.10@osu.edu, (614) 292-8829.

See also OSU Master Schedule
and Biochemistry Department Course List