The Master of Science (MS) in in Biochemistry and Molecular biology is a track within the Master of Science in Foundational Biomedical Research degree. This intensive program trains students to be research scientists for careers in highly competitive fields in human health and disease. Students take advanced coursework and carry out an original research project using state-of-the-art experimental approaches in the laboratories of faculty in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Pharmacology. Potential research topics include structural biology, signal transduction, drug development, regulation of gene expression, cancer biology and metabolic disorders. The program is designed to be completable within 11 months.
Apply
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology master’s degree program is accepting applications. A baccalaureate degree (typically in biology, chemistry or physics) that includes calculus and organic chemistry coursework is required for admission into this program.
Thesis Research
Upon admission to the program, students work with a graduate advisor to design their course schedule. Students also participate in a program to meet faculty in the department and learn about their research programs. This enables the student to identify a mentor for their thesis work. In consultation with the mentor, the student then selects an advisory committee that will guide the students research and in the culmination of the program carry out the thesis defense.
Degree Requirements
The MS in Foundational Biomedical Research requires core courses (17 credits total) covering the conduct of a thesis research project along with didactic course work in scientific writing, research ethics, reading scientific literature and biostatistics. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology track students also take 13 credits of specialized courses work in topics related to this field. A minimum of 30 credits is required for the MS degree.
Program Details
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A minimum of 30 credit hours consisting of required and elective courses
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Research grades (BIOC-B855) are assigned by the students advisory committee
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A scholarly thesis based on approved research with oversight from a faculty mentor and an advisory committee composed of at least two other faculty members in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Pharmacology
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Minimum 3.0 GPA and a B- or better in all MS coursework
Students must take the following required courses and at least 4 credits approved electives (see below).
Fall
Required Courses
- A general biochemistry course consisting of either GRDM-G715 (2 cr) or BIOC-B500 (3cr)
- GRDM-G716 Molecular Biology & Genetics (2 cr)
- GRDM-505 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr)
- GRDM-G700 Translating Foundational Science to Contemporary Knowledge (1 cr)
- GRDM-G 855 Experimental Design and Biostatistics (1 cr)
- BIOC- B854 Introduction to Research (1 cr)
- BIOC-B890 Seminar (1 cr)
- GRDM-G828 Concepts in Biotechnology (2 cr)
Electives
- G825 Advanced Topics in Molecular Biology (2 cr)
- G805 Diabetes and Obesity (2 cr)
Spring
Required Courses
- BIOC-B890 Seminar (1 cr)
- BIOC-B855 (Variable Research Credit). This variable credit course is fulfilled by the thesis research by the student in a research laboratory supervised by a department faculty member.
Electives
- GRDM-G 807 Structural and Chemical Biology (2 cr)
- GRDM-G 817 Cell Biology (2 cr)
- GRDM-G 826 Synthetic Biology and biologics (2 cr)
- GRDM-G 848 Bioinformatics (2 cr)
- GRDM-G 852 Cancer Biology: Signaling Gone Awry (2 cr)
Summer
- BIOC-B855 (Variable Credits)
- BIOC-B811 Advanced Biochemistry (1-3 credits)
During the fall semester, students identify a topic of interest and suitable mentor for their thesis research project. The selection of a mentor and research project is completed by mutual agreement between the student and mentor. The research project culminates with the writing and defense of a thesis at the end of the summer semester. The thesis document is developed through a combination of hands-on laboratory work and intensive literature research.
The master’s thesis should be a scholarly document that provides both an in-depth description of the student’s work and a detailed discussion of its importance and meaning. The thesis is evaluated by a graduate committee composed of the student’s mentor and two other faculty members. The thesis must be written to the satisfaction of the graduate committee for successful completion of the master’s degree.
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology does not offer financial support for students in the master’s program. However, students may be eligible for financial aid and should contact the IU Indianapolis Office of Student Financial Services for more information.
After submitting the online admissions application, program applicants should email Clark Wells, PhD, the graduate program advisor, to notify him of submission. Official transcripts and letters of recommendation may be sent to Dr. Wells as well.