PhD Program Overview
First Year Courses
The courses required for a Ph.D. in Biochemistry are designed to provide a thorough background in modern biochemistry and associated methodologies. These requirements are usually completed in the first year, leaving ample time for research in subsequent years. Required and elective courses are listed below.
| FALL SEMESTER | SPRING SEMESTER |
| BMB 801 (3 credits) Molecular Biology Organization of genes and regulation of their expression, replication, and recombination. BMB 803 (2 credits) Protein Structure and Function Structure and folding of proteins, interaction with other molecules, structure prediction, protein trafficking, peptide libraries and drug design. BMB 829 (2 credits) Methods of Analysis and Synthesis Modern techniques used in biochemistry including chromatography, electrophoresis, sequence analysis, DNA analysis, flow cytometry, etc. |
BMB 802 (3 credits) Metabolic Regulation and Signal Transduction Molecular basis for metabolic regulation, signaling mechanisms and mechanisms for allosteric and covalent protein modifications. BMB 804 (3 credits) Biochemical Mechanism and Structure Structures and methods of structural analysis and synthesis, and reaction mechanisms of biological substances, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, porphyrins, phosphate esters, enzymes and coenzymes. |
Additional Academic Activities
Rotations
Elective Courses
BMB 825 - Cell Structure and Function
Molecular basis of structure and function in cells. Fundamental properties of cells: reproduction, dynamic organization, integration, programmed and integrative information transfer considered
through original investigations in all five kingdoms.
BMB 831 - Physiological Biochemistry
Mammalian physiological biochemistry with metabolic interpretation of normal and altered physiological states of humans and other mammals.
BMB 856 Plant Molecular Biology
Recent advances in genetics and molecular biology of higher plants.
BMB 864 Plant Biochemistry
Biochemistry unique to photosynthetic organisms. Photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport, nitrogen fixation, carbon dioxide fixation, lipid metabolism, carbon partitioning, cell walls,
biosynthesis of plant hormones.
BMB 960 and BMB 961 Selected Topics in Biochemistry
One and two credit courses are offered in areas of contemporary interest which can include: hormonal regulation, transcription, protein and drug
design, NMR methodology, method of Flow cytometry, apoptosis etc.
BMB 978 Seminars in Biochemistry
Seminars on research topics in biochemistry, mainly by visiting scientists.
Journal Clubs and Seminars:
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Colloquium Series
- 3M - Metabolism, Membranes, and Metalloenzymology Interest Group
- Quantitative Biology Initiative- "Science at the Edge"
- Transcription Journal Club
Costs and Financial Support:
Stipend
All Ph.D. candidates are provided a stipend at a competitive rate throughout their career at MSU. Health benefits and tuition waivers are
also provided.
The graduate assistant rates for 2007-08 are as follows:
| Level I - 1st year |
Level II - 2nd year | Level III - 4th year |
| Stipend $20,940 | Stipend $21,660 | Stipend $22,500 |
Housing
Our students usually choose one of the following options:
- Owen Graduate Dormitory
- University Apartments
- Off-campus apartments
Information regarding the University dormitory and apartments can be obtained at http://www.hfs.msu.edu/uh/livingon/halls.html. Typical housing costs range from $587-693 per month.
Career Development
To increase the marketability of our graduate students and make them aware of the many career options available to them, we provide special workshops and a career day. A writing workshop that focuses on preparation of grants is provided. In regards to speaking, faculty oversee and video graduate students who give ashort presentation of their research. It is critiqued and then re-presented by the student in an effort to improve communication skills. Finally, a career day is offered that includes scientists from the biotech industry, government agencies, small colleges, etc., who discuss career opportunities available to young scientists.
Teaching Opportunity
Every Ph.D. candidate obtains valuable teaching experience serving as an assistant for a 400 level biochemistry laboratory and lecture course. Seniors from biochemistry and other areas of the life sciences are enrolled in these courses, which makes it a useful and challenging experience. Moreover, Ph.D. candidates are trained in "Instructional Methods in Biochemistry," thereby gaining extensive direct contact with the students. Additional teaching experience both on and off the MSU campus can be obtained by those interested in teaching at smaller colleges, etc.
MSU and Community Links
|
Michigan State University, the nation's first land-grant university, is located in south central Michigan in the town of East Lansing. To find out more about MSU or the communities of Lansing and East Lansing, please visit their websites listed below. |
Return to Graduate Program Highlights page