Graduate Degree Programs in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics

The Department offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics.

The MBB Ph.D. program complements other, more traditional graduate programs in biology, chemistry and physics by offering an integrated, molecular-based approach to understanding biological problems taking insights from all three disciplines. Supervisors may be chosen from any of the participating faculty regardless of their affiliation to a particular discipline. A major focus of the program is on biophysical approaches to determining the structure of macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies. A particular strength of the participating faculty is in exploiting synchrotron x-ray sources for biological structural studies. MBB students will have access to state-of-the-art x-ray facilities at the nearby Advanced Photon Source currently one of the most intense x-ray sources in the world. Applicants wishing to enroll in the MBB programs must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in biology, chemistry, physics or a related experimental science with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the "general" exam (verbal, mathematical, analytical reasoning) are required, and one of the subject exams (biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics) is strongly encouraged. Preparation should ideally include a minimum of two semesters of biology, two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of physical chemistry, three semesters of physics, college level mathematics through differential equations, one course in statistics, one semester of biochemistry. Students lacking all required courses may be admitted but may be required to rectify any deficiencies before attempting the Master's or Ph.D.

Each new graduate student is assigned a graduate student advisor and must obtain the approval of the advisor each semester before registering for any graduate classes.

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Admission and Core Courses

Applicants wishing to enroll in the MBB programs must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in biology, chemistry, physics or a related experimental science with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the "general" exam (verbal, mathematical, analytical reasoning) are required, and one of the subject exams (biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics) is strongly encouraged. Preparation should ideally include a minimum of two semesters of biology, two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of physical chemistry, three semesters of physics, college level mathematics through differential equations, one course in statistics, one semester of biochemistry. Students lacking all required courses may be admitted but may be required to rectify any deficiencies before attempting the Master's or Ph.D.

All students will be required to take the following courses, or have equivalent background.

BIOL 512 Advanced Biochemistry,
BIOL 515 Molecular Biology,
BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
BIOL 445 Cell Biology,
CHEM 538 Physical Biochemistry,
CHEM 550 Chemical Bonding,
BIOL 584 Graduate Seminar in Biology,
BIOL 684 Graduate Seminar in Biology,
BIOL 595 Biology Colloquium,
BIOL 580 Laboratory Rotation in MBB,

BIOL 584 must be taken by all M.S. and Ph.D. students in their first year of full-time graduate study. BIOL 684 must be taken by all Ph.D. students after having passed the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. BIOL 595 must be taken 2 times by M.S. students and 4 times by Ph.D. students. Students may not take this course additional times for credit toward the degree. BIOL 580 may be taken 2 times by Ph.D. students. MBB students will, in consultation with their academic advisor choose the remainder of their formal coursework from those in the areas listed below.

• Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  BIOL 561 Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering,
  BIOL 523 Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering Laboratory,
  BIOL 526 Gene and Cell Development,
  



• Structural Biophysics
  PHYS 570 Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation,
  BIOL 555 Macromolecular Structure Determination,
  CHEM 505 Spectroscopic Methods I,
  PHYS 561 Radiation Biophysics,
  CHEM 454 Computer Applications in Chemistry,
  



• Biochemistry & Cellular Biophysics
  BIOL 519 Biochemistry Laboratory,
  BIOL 533 Cell Biology Laboratory,
  CHEM 531 Tactics in Organic Synthesis),
  CHEM 630 Special Topics in Organic Synthesis,
  PHYS 410 Molecular Biophysics,
  

Other courses may be prescribed by the advisor/thesis committee according to the student's individual needs for his or her program of study.

Master of Science in MBB

• 32 credit hours
• written comprehensive examination
• dissertation and oral defense

M.S. students must complete a total of 32 credit hours of instruction. This includes up to 7 credits of BIOL 591, CHEM 591, PHYS 591 (Thesis Research), 22 credit hours of core courses as described above, and additional courses as needed to reach the 32 credit hour total. Students must also pass the M.S. Comprehensive Examination by the end of their fourth semester of study.

A thesis based on the student's research must be prepared and orally defended.

Doctor of Philosophy in MBB

• 84 credit hours, including Master's degree studies
• written qualifying examination
• comprehensive examination
• dissertation and oral defense

A minimum of 84 credit hours of instruction is required for the MBB Ph.D. Students who have received a M.S. degree from another university may petition to transfer up to 32 credit hours applicable toward the Ph.D. degree. Completion of a M.S. degree is not normally required for admission to the Ph.D. program. Students must complete the 25-27 credit hours of core courses and at least 4 additional courses from the approved lists. The remaining credits can be from BIOL 591/691, CHEM 591/691 or PHYS 591/691 (Thesis Research/Ph.D. Thesis Research).

Each graduate student must take and pass the written Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in order to enter into candidacy for the doctorate. Normally this examination is taken before the end of the second semester of full-time study and must be passed in no more than four attempts by the end of the second full year of study. Students will be required to serve as Teaching Assistants for at least one full academic year. Each student, in addition, will be required to pass a Comprehensive Examination (which serves partly as an oral defense of the thesis proposal) taken prior to performing the major portion of the dissertation research and in any event prior to the sixth semester for study and at least one year before oral defense of the thesis. The final examination for the Ph.D. degree consists of an oral presentation and defense of the dissertation.

All research for the dissertation must be carried out under the direct supervision of a faculty research advisor. The faculty research advisor also will act as the candidate's academic advisor.

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Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics Division, 3101 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312.567.3480     FAX: 312.567.3494
Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics Webmaster (segre@iit.edu)