Graduate Programs | UofL

cancer chemotherapeutics
protein modifications and function
- methylation, lipid peroxidation
ribosome biogenesis
gene regulation mechanisms
- environmental, developmental, aging, and hormonal regulatory mechanisms

Students have the opportunity to select from a variety of research projects in different areas for their dissertation research.

Faculty with primary appointments in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics study:

In addition, faculty from various clinical departments have associate appointments in our department and participate in teaching and training our students.

Those currently mentoring Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics students are:

Selecting a Research Mentor and Lab

Each year faculty will present Research Interests of Faculty (RIFs- link to booklet) for incoming Ph.D. students.

It is the student’s responsibility to talk with faculty to arrange for laboratory research rotations. Students are required to complete 2 rotations; the first rotation begins in October and the second rotation begins in January. Each rotation is 6 weeks and 120 hours. A third lab rotation can be requested and completed in the Spring semester. The expectation is the student will be in a laboratory by the end of Spring semester of the first year in the program and no later than July 1st.

Research

Students have the opportunity to select from a variety of research projects in different areas for their dissertation research. Opportunities for collaborative arrangements with clinical departments are also available, as several clinical faculty have joint appointments in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics.

Students in their first year also receive laboratory training through methods courses in protein chemistry and molecular biology and rotations which provide opportunities to work on research projects with individual faculty. Through these interactions students become acquainted with theoretical and practical aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology, and with the research interests of the faculty. After completing the first year, students select a mentor to supervise their research training.

The Department joins with other basic science departments within the School of Medicine in the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS). The goal of this program is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the biomedical sciences. Students will chose to do their degree in one of the participating departments, but can receive formal training in other disciplines as well. This approach to graduate education gives students broad exposure to basic science disciplines and maximum flexibility in choosing a research area for their dissertation research.

Timeline to Degree

The Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) curriculum is designed to integrate class room instruction with research during years 1 and 2 with years 3 -5 devoted to independent research.

The area of research concentration is ultimately determined by the selection of a preceptor and laboratory. The time required to complete the degree program ranges from four to six years, with a typical student finishing in five years.

Download Timeline [PDF file]

Course Work

All BMG Ph.D. students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours by the end of year 2 to be eligible for Exam I (Ph.D. qualifying exam) and to enter Master’s candidacy. 24 hours must be in class room instruction with a minimum of 17 hours in core BMG courses. This requirement is fulfilled by successfully completing the required core coursework, seminar, and lab rotations outlined for years 1 and 2. Original research (BIOC 619) credit does not count toward the 30 hour requirement.

Year 1 courses provide a solid foundation for Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics principles and applications (BIOC 645, 647, 611). The Department joins with other basic science departments within the School of Medicine in the Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS). The goal of this program is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the biomedical sciences. (IPIBS) Course Requirements include cross-discipline methods survey and statistics (BIOC 610), Cell Biology (BIOC 667), and Research Ethics (BIOC 630).

Year 2 advanced courses provide literature-based discussions on key concepts in Molecular Biology and Genetics (BIOC 668) and protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions (BIOC680). A course on grantsmanship using a reiterative writing process for students learn how to prepare grant proposal (BIOC 603-01). Electives in Cancer Biology (BIOC 667), Molecular Toxicology (BIOC 661), and Next Generation Sequencing (BIOC 603-02) are available for advanced students in Year 2.

Presentation Skills- Requirements:

Our philosophy is that developing strong communication skills is a critical aspect of graduate education training. All BMG Ph.D. students are required to attend and participate in journal club in years 1 & 2 and attend a formal workshop-based training on developing an effective seminar. Each student will give an annual presentation to the department, beginning in year 1 with presenting a brief 15 minute lab rotation report. In years 2 and 3 each student will give a literature-based seminar presentation to the department and years 3 and beyond a research conference on their own work.

Other Requirements:

Pass Exam I (Ph.D. Qualifying Exam) and Exam II (Dissertation Research Proposal)

Exam I evaluates the student's assimilation of the fundamental principles of biochemistry and molecular genetics and their ability to interpret literature, independently develop a research plan, integrate material from the graduate curriculum, write clearly, organize a proposal, and orally defend their ideas. The format is an oral defense of a grant proposal that the student has written on a topic unrelated to their dissertation research.
Exam II has two components: a brief oral presentation to the department of the proposed dissertation research (Exam IIa) and a written pre-doctoral fellowship grant proposal on their dissertation research that is approved by the dissertation committee (Exam IIb). Exam IIb must be completed within 6 months of passing Exam I.

Teaching

Our philosophy is that a complete graduate education should include experience in teaching. Students assist in teaching for ½ semester, usually in the graduate Advanced Biochemistry course (BIOC 645 & 647) or Methods course (BIOC 611), during their second year of study. Opportunities to gain greater teaching experience are available through the School of Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (SIGS) and within the department upon request.

Checklist of requirements for a Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics

Successfully complete:

all coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
a minimum of two laboratory rotations.
serve as a teaching assistant for 1 semester.
two seminar presentations.
Exam I (Ph.D. qualifying exam).
Exam IIa and IIb (dissertation proposal and committee meeting).
annual research conferences with committee meetings in years 3 and beyond.
a body of novel research (dissertation).
publish at minimum one 1st author manuscript.
write and publically defend a doctoral dissertation that is acceptable by the dissertation committee and School of Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies.

Please see the GUIDELINES FOR THE Ph.D. DEGREE IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR GENETICS for details on the program.

Guidelines

Forms

Ph.D. Curriculum

Forms & Guidelines

Ph.D. Program

The mission of the Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) is to provide the highest quality learning environment that enables students to gain knowledge, develop analytical skills, and generate scholarly works that are critical to their development into independent researchers.

M.S. Program

To fulfill the diverse needs of our M.S. students, BMG offers three M.S. options:

Non-thesis course-based M.S.
Non-thesis Laboratory technique-based M.S.
Thesis-based M.S.

MS Program Guidelines

Ph.D. Program

The mission of the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) PhD Program is to provide a graduate-level academic learning and science training environment that enables students to gain knowledge, develop analytical skills, and train in the scientific process. We strive to train our graduate students to become knowledgeable and skilled scientists, capable of conducting rigorous and repeatable scientific research.

Our PhD Graduate Program mission supports the University of Louisville's mission to be a premier, nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community, by pursuing impactful research and innovative scholarly activity. We train students to be competitive for positions in academia, industry, and government; and thereby, enhance the development of our community and the communities where our students reside after graduate school.

M.S. Program

The mission of the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) Master of Science (MS) Program is to train students in the skills they will need for careers in scientific research and teaching, or to gain credentials needed to apply to professional school.

Students completing the BMG MS program will have advanced knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics, and have the ability to teach at high school and undergraduate college levels. They also will have necessary skills and training to work as skilled laboratory scientists in academia or industry. To fulfill the diverse needs of our MS students, BMG offers three options: non-thesis course-based, non-thesis laboratory-skills-based, and thesis-based MS Programs. Our mission supports the University of Louisville's commitment to scientific education, as well as a mission to advance intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our city by increasing the workforce population with advanced scientific knowledge and laboratory skills to serve our diverse community.

To fulfill the diverse needs of our M.S. students, BMG offers three M.S. options:

Non-thesis course-based M.S.
Non-thesis Laboratory technique-based M.S.
Thesis-based M.S.

MS Program Guidelines

Our Graduate Programs

Ph.D. Program

The mission of the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) PhD Program is to provide a graduate-level academic learning and science training environment that enables students to gain knowledge, develop analytical skills, and train in the scientific process. We strive to train our graduate students to become knowledgeable and skilled scientists, capable of conducting rigorous and repeatable scientific research.

Our PhD Graduate Program mission supports the University of Louisville's mission to be a premier, nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community, by pursuing impactful research and innovative scholarly activity. We train students to be competitive for positions in academia, industry, and government; and thereby, enhance the development of our community and the communities where our students reside after graduate school.

M.S. Program

The mission of the Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) Master of Science (MS) Program is to train students in the skills they will need for careers in scientific research and teaching, or to gain credentials needed to apply to professional school.

Students completing the BMG MS program will have advanced knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics, and have the ability to teach at high school and undergraduate college levels. They also will have necessary skills and training to work as skilled laboratory scientists in academia or industry. To fulfill the diverse needs of our MS students, BMG offers three options: non-thesis course-based, non-thesis laboratory-skills-based, and thesis-based MS Programs. Our mission supports the University of Louisville's commitment to scientific education, as well as a mission to advance intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our city by increasing the workforce population with advanced scientific knowledge and laboratory skills to serve our diverse community.