Masters of Science in Biochemistry - Thesis Option

Objective:

The Department of Biochemistry at The Ohio State University will train students with a suitable Bachelors degree for a career in biochemistry.  Students spend an average of two and one half years in this program.  Coursework includes a core curriculum with an emphasis on biochemistry with both laboratory and lecture courses and also a range of electives for further specialization.  At the end of the first year, students select a thesis advisor and research project.

Financial aid:

Students admitted to the program are self-supporting throughout the first five quarters of the program.  However, the Department of Biochemistry may be able to provide financial support in the form of Graduate Teaching Assistantships to qualified applicants.  Research advisors may choose to place students on Graduate Teaching Assistantships or Graduate Research Assistantships once the student has joined a lab.  A monthly stipend will be provided and tuition fees will be waved for recipients of GTA’s and GRA’s.

Eligibility for admission:

Interested students should submit an application to the Department of Biochemistry (see Contact Information below) along with a complete set of transcripts, three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and other information pertinent for the Admission Committee.  Applicants must have graduated with a Bachelors degree in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, or an allied major at the time of admission.

Degree Requirements:

Timetable-
    1st Year
          Fall, winter, and spring quarters: core curriculum and seminar
          Summer quarter: thesis research

    2nd Year
          Electives, seminar, and thesis research

    3rd Year
          Seminar and thesis research
          Written and oral defense of thesis

Requirements for graduation (45 credit hours minimum)-

      Core courses: 26 hours
      Electives:  6 hours
      Seminar:  18 hours – in 3 full years.  Must be attended every quarter enrolled.
      Written and oral defense of the thesis

Core curriculum-

        Biochemistry 761: Proteins (3 hrs)
        Biochemistry 770: Protein Engineering (3 hrs)
        Molecular Genetics 701: DNA Transactions (3 hrs)
        Biochemistry 702: Regulation of Gene Expression (3 hrs)
        Chemistry 763: Membranes/Bioenergetics (3hrs)
        Biochemistry 765: Physical Biochemistry (3 hrs)
        Biochemistry 706: Protein and Enzyme or Molecular Biology Laboratory (5 hrs)
        Biochemistry 850: Seminar:

In this seminar course, students are expected to present research work, either of peers (articles) or of his or her own work (original data).  It is expected that participation in this course will hone the students’ skills with regard to design of hypotheses and critical analysis of raw data.

Recommended Electives-

        Biochemistry 635 764 766 781 811
        Chemistry 635 651 652 731 733 832 833 990
        Microbiology 509 520 521 649 670 680 723
        Molecular Genetics 501 540 622 640 675 705 711 715

In general, any reasonable science course at the 500 level or above (600 within the department) will count for the fulfillment of the requirements.  However, the faculty have found some courses to be unsuitable for a variety of reasons.  Please check with the graduate committee or your advisor before enrolling.

See also OSU Master Schedule
and Biochemistry Department Course List