Biochemistry Program Curriculum

Printer-Friendly Version of Biochemistry Program Curriculum

Ph.D. GRADUATE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIRED COURSES

Academic Year 2008-2009

FIRST YEAR: 23-24 TOTAL CREDITS

2. Students must perform three laboratory rotations during the first year in the laboratories of Department members or suitable adjunct members and attend the BMG departmental seminar series.  Dates for the laboratory rotations are as follows: Rotation 1, August 25th-November 14th; Rotation 2, November 17th- February 20th; and Rotation 3, February 23rd-May15th.  Students will be required to give a short presentation about their research rotation following each rotation (dates to be determined). After completing the third rotation, students, in consultation with the lab’s principle investigator, should choose a laboratory for their dissertation research (see below)


3. A preliminary examination will be given in June approximately three weeks after the end of the spring semester (see below).

*First year students are not required to register for their first summer semester.  This is for the first year only you will be required to register for all subsequent summer semesters.

AVAILABLE ELECTIVES

Some recommended electives include the following:

Biochemical and Biophysical Structure (Bio-Molecular Structure Program); Developmental Biology (CDB Program); Human Genetics (Human Genetics Program); Immunology (Immunology Program); Viral and Bacterial Pathogenesis (Microbiology Program); Neurobiology (Neuroscience Program); Molecular Biology of Cancer (Pathology Program); and Receptors and Cell Signaling (Pharmacology Program).

Please see the course catalogue for other electives. If you take an elective in the second year, subtract the credits from BMGN 7650.

SECOND YEAR: 11 TOTAL CREDITS

THIRD YEAR AND AFTER: 11 TOTAL CREDITS

Only register for this course after advancing to candidacy, otherwise register for BMGN 7650- Research in BMGN. Note that you may register for BMGN8990 if you plan to complete your comprehensive examination in that semester, AND have already completed at least 30 credits including class work and BMGN7650.

2. The oral comprehensive examination should be taken by the end of February of the third year (see below).

NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF 30 CREDITS OF BMGN 8990 AND 30 CREDITS OF ALL OTHER COURSES TO GRADUATE.

LABORATORY ROTATIONS

Each student must perform three laboratory rotations in first year of graduate school (BMGN 7650-Research in BMGN). New students should meet with several faculty of the student’s choosing at the beginning of the fall semester to discuss the research interests of those laboratories. The student should contact the director of each laboratory as well as the graduate student advisor at least two weeks in advance in order to seek permission to work in a laboratory. The student will choose a laboratory for thesis research by the summer semester at the end of the first year. It is advisable that the student not become too narrow with regard to the field of study in the choice of a laboratory.

EXAMINATIONS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Students will take a written preliminary examination in the summer at the end of the first year. In this exam, students will be asked questions that strive to test the student’s ability to integrate the information presented during the first year’s course work. Student performance in exams, course work, and laboratory rotations will be used by the faculty to evaluate progress and academic status. Students who have demonstrated acceptable progress in these areas are eligible to continue in the program. Please note that continuation of students within the program is also contingent upon joining the lab of a principal investigator who agrees to provide financial support during the remainder of the individual’s tenure as a graduate student.

CANDIDACY

An oral comprehensive examination in which the student will be expected to defend a professional research proposal must be completed by the end of the February of the third year. The research proposal will be in an NIH-style grant format. Students must give a copy of the research proposal to members of their committee at least two weeks prior to the examination.

Students will select a committee of five faculty members for the exam who will also be their dissertation defense committee. The faculty on this committee should be comprised of at least three departmental faculty members (including the committee chairperson) and at least one faculty member from outside the department. Application packages for the exam must be obtained from the graduate school and filled out more than two weeks prior to the exam date. Students should meet with their committee once before the comprehensive examination, preferably in the second year after their yearly seminar.

Upon successful completion of this comprehensive examination, students will be doctoral candidates. Students will also give a seminar on their work every year beginning with the second year and will meet with their thesis committee at least once a year.

Comprehensive Exam Guidelines

Ph.D. DISSERTATION

The dissertation will be reviewed by the dissertation defense committee and an oral presentation given (thesis defense). If the dissertation defense committee accepts the thesis, the doctoral degree will be awarded.

If the student fails to perform any of the above requirements, a Master’s degree will only be awarded if the student fulfills the requirements for this degree (see Master’s degree requirements).

Paul Megee (303-724-3270; Paul.Megee@ucdenver.edu)
Biochemistry Program Director
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Mail Stop 8101
UC Denver