Course Schedule
Students typically complete the program in 5 years. Students are expected to attend the Biochemistry Journal Club in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students have the flexibility to tailor the training toward their interests.
The first year is devoted to coursework and research rotations. At the end of the first year, students enter into their mentor’s laboratory and begin their thesis research.
For the second year, coursework is light and comprehensive exams are completed at the end of the year. Students begin their full-time thesis research during their third year of the program.
CHECKLIST
🗹 9 Required Courses (21 Credits)
🗹 11 Credits of Electives
🗹 3 Lab Rotations
🗹 2 Comprehensive Exams
🗹 Journal Clubs
🗹 Thesis Research
Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the program. Students may request an extension of this period in extraordinary circumstances.
Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing: Students who apply for and receive advanced standing have a maximum of five years to complete the program. A PhD student may make a written request for the transfer of credit for specific applicable courses or apply for advanced standing. Please speak with program leadership and review the policy on transfer credit and advanced standing.
Example Course Schedule
The following is an example of the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology course schedule. Most students start the program in Summer; please note the special instructions included for students who start in the Fall semester.
Year 1
Before July 1st, register for all Fall 1 and Summer 1 courses listed below for Health Insurance purposes.
Summer 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 9985: Summer Lab Rotation | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credits |
- Review the BGE New Student Checklist
- Attend the mandatory Biomedical Graduate Education Summer Orientation
- Sign up to take the Laboratory Safety Training or Laboratory Safety Refresher before entering the labs
Fall 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5001-01: Biochemistry & Cellular Sciences (section 01) | 4 |
| BCMC 5003-01: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 01) | 1 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 5028: Modern Methods (or any approved methods course) This course can be fulfilled by transfer credit. | 3 |
| BCMC 6001: Biochemistry, In Depth | 2 |
| BCMC 9986: Fall Lab Rotation | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| Elective(s) Students may take more than the recommended number of electives in a particular semester. | 3 |
| 13 Credits |
- Register for Spring Courses and Spring Rotation
- Students starting in Fall: Sign up to take the Laboratory Safety Training or Laboratory Safety Refresher before entering the labs
Spring 1
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5004-01: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 01) | 1 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 9987: Spring Lab Rotation | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 5390: Molecular & Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BCMC 5620: Molecular & Cellular Biology: In Depth | 2 |
| TBIO 6562: Survival Skills & Ethics (request permission from Dr. Forcelli) This course can be fulfilled by transfer credit. | 2 |
| Elective(s) Students may take more than the recommended number of electives in a particular semester. | 4 |
| 12 Credits |
- June of Year 1: Taken Qualifying Exam
- Students who started in Summer: Register for Summer Thesis Research
- Students who started in Fall: Register for Summer Lab Rotation
Year 2
Summer 2
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 9999-01: Thesis Research (for students who started in Summer) or BCMC 9985: Summer Lab Rotation (for students who started in Fall) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credits |
- The student must have found a mentor.
- Register for Fall 2 Courses
Fall 2
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5003-02: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 02) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| Elective(s) Students may take more than the recommended number of electives in a particular semester. | 4 |
| SYSM 5900: Application of Biostatistics to Big Data This course may be taken in Fall 1 or can be replaced with a different statistics course. This course can be fulfilled by transfer credit. | 3 |
| BCMC 9999-03: Thesis Research Students with less than 9 credits of coursework, must register for BCMC-9999 Section 03 to maintain full-time status. | |
| 7 Credits |
Spring 2
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5004-02: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 02) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 9999-01: Thesis Research After Spring 2, you will be automatically registered for Thesis Research (BCMC 9999-01) courses during the Fall and Spring semesters. | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credits |
- April of Year 2: First Data Presentation and Written Comprehensive Exam
- May of Year 2: Oral Comprehensive Examination
- Register for Summer 3 Thesis Research
Year 3
Summer 3
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 9999-01: Thesis Research | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credits |
Fall 3
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5003-02: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 2) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 9999-01: Thesis Research | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credit |
Spring 3
| Course Name | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| BCMC 5004-02: Biochemistry Journal Club (section 2) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| BCMC 9999-01: Thesis Research (automatic registration) | 0 (Pass/Fail) |
| 0 Credit |
Year 4+ until Graduation
- Full-Time Thesis Research (BCMC 9999-01)
- Students are required to register for Biochemistry Journal Club each semester: Fall: BCMC 5003-02 (section 2) and Spring: BCMC 5004-02 (section 2)
- Meeting with the Thesis Committee
- Dissertation, Doctoral Project, and Thesis Information & Templates
- Submission of Dissertation or Doctoral Project
- Follow the Graduating Student Checklist to apply for graduation in your second-to-last semester, receive your degree and attend Commencement