Biochemistry, Thesis Option, M.S.

Thesis Master’s Program

The thesis program is strongly recommended for those planning to pursue graduate study at the Ph.D. level and for those intending to pursue research-oriented employment. By the end of the first semester, the student should select a research area and a thesis advisor who will supervise the research and the remainder of the student’s coursework. In collaboration with the advisor, the student should identify a three-member thesis committee. Two members must be from the department with the advisor as the committee chair; the third member must be from outside the department. An expert from outside the University may be used with the approval of the Graduate School.

In carrying out the thesis project, the student must complete a minimum of three and maximum of six hours of thesis credit. On completion of the research, the student will write a thesis that conforms to the Graduate School’s recommended procedures. With the advisor’s approval, a draft of the thesis will be forwarded to the other members of the thesis committee for examination and review. After the thesis has been reviewed and judged ready for defense by the advisor and by the other members of the thesis committee, the student must pass an oral thesis examination.

The oral examination is comprehensive, covering the student’s entire graduate program and emphasizing the research work and content of the thesis. All thesis and oral examination requirements must be scheduled and completed to meet Graduate School deadlines.

Admission

To be admitted to graduate programs an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and an adequate background in chemistry or biochemistry. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 is required; however, students with industrial experience in chemistry and averages below 3.0 may be admitted on probation at the discretion of the graduate advisor and with permission of the Graduate School.

Applicants must achieve acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination.

Applicants from non-English speaking countries who have not received a degree from a United States university must satisfy English proficiency requirements, including a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based exam, or 550 on the paper exam. Applicants from non-English speaking countries may submit a minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS exam in place of a TOEFL score.

General Requirements

Upon admission, students will confer with the appropriate graduate advisor to plan course sequencing and discuss research or report options.

Satisfactory progress in coursework and a 3.0 G.P.A. in all graduate courses is required to remain in good academic standing.

Students without the necessary prerequisite undergraduate courses will be required to take those courses to make up the deficiencies.

No more than six hours of transfer credit beyond the bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may contribute toward fulfilling these requirements. No more than six hours of independent study will be allowed. No more than 40 percent of the degree program’s total credit hours may come from 6000-level courses.

Curriculum Requirements