University of Maryland
Graduate Catalog Fall 2009

Biochemistry (BCHM)

Faculty

Professor
Beckett, Dorothy, Fenselau, Catherine C., Fushman, David, Hansen, J. Norman, Lorimer, George H., Rokita, Steven E.,

Associate Professor
Julin, Douglas A., Kahn, Jason D.,

Senior Research Scientist
Khachik, Frederick,

Assistant Professor
Munoz, Victor, Tugarinov, Vitali,

Abstract

The Graduate Program in Biochemistry offers study leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Research specialization at College Park is available in drug metabolism, enzyme mechanisms, bioorganic chemistry, lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and function, metabolic regulation, nucleic acid biochemistry, macromolecular folding and x-ray crystallography.

Admissions Information

Admission to graduate study at the University of Maryland requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or equivalent degree. While the area in which the degree has been earned need not be chemistry or biochemistry, previous coursework must normally include a minimum of 30 semester or 40 quarter hours of chemistry, with at least 1 year of physical chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry and 1 semester of biochemistry, as well as laboratory courses in organic chemistry and biochemistry. A laboratory course in analytical chemistry is also preferred. Typical overall grade point averages for successful applicants are 3.0 or greater (on a scale where the average grade is 2.0), and averages in science and math courses are generally higher than this. Three letters of reference indicating a potential for independent, creative scientific research are also required..

The general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required of all applicants. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must also present the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE).

The above requirements represent minimum requirements and the competition for available space may limit admissions to persons with credentials above these minimum requirements.

Application Deadlines

 

Fall

Spring
Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines


Applications must be received by February 1 (January 1 preferred) .


This program does not accept applications for this semester.

 


International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.   

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31
 

Application Requirements

  1. GRE General required
  2. GRE Subject recommended
  3. 3 Letters of Recommendation (sent electronically)
  4. TOEFL scores for international students
  5. Transcripts (Originals must be sent to Enrollment Services Operations, Room 0130 Mitchell Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
  6. "Statement of Goals & Research Interests" and "Statement of Experiences". (These can be submitted separately or as a single document.)

Degree Requirements

Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. degree program offers both the thesis and non-thesis options. Twenty-four course credits and six research credits are required for either option. The thesis option requires one seminar presentation and an oral defense of the thesis. Copies of specific regulations are avilable from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry or on the internet at: www.chem.umd.edu.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Twenty-one course credit hours, with twelve credits of research, two seminar presentations, an oral exam for advancement to candidacy, and a final dissertation defense are required for the doctoral degree.

Facilities and Special Resources

Biochemistry research is conducted in well-equipped research laboratories. In addition, the following central facilities are available: animal colony, fermentation pilot plant, analytical and preparative ultracentrifuges, phosphoimager, CD Spectrometer, Silicon Graphics; a state-of-the-art computer graphics facility, liquid scintillation counters, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometers, and a chemistry-biochemistry library.

Financial Assistance

Ph.D. candidates are normally supported on graduate teaching assistantships during their first year as graduate students. Teaching assistants usually instruct undergraduate laboratory and recitation classes and receive in return a tuition waiver of ten credits each semester, salary and health care benefits. In subsequent years, Ph.D. candidates are normally supported on graduate research assistantships. Financial support is not generally available to M.S. candidates.

Contact Information

Information on requirements and research interests of the faculty may be obtained at www.chem.umd.edu or from:

Graduate Programs Coordinator
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Maryland College Park, MD
MD  20742
Telephone: (301) 405-7022
Fax: 301-314-9121
chemgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.chem.umd.edu/

current URL: http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/catalog/programs/printable.cfm?CODE=18

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