Curriculum

Note: Students may take more courses than those listed, particularly in the second year. Decisions on which and how many electives to take should be done in consultation with the student advisory committee and approval from the program director.

Year 1

Fall

  • Foundations of Biomedical Research (7 units)
  • Ethical Dimensions in Biomedical Sciences (1 unit)

Spring

  • Emerging Fields in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: RNA Biology (1 unit)
  • Emerging Fields in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Translational Science and Molecular Medicine (1 unit)
  • Current Methods in Structural and Molecular Biology (3 units)
  • Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1 hour) **

Year 2

Fall

  • Emerging Fields in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Advanced Cell Signaling (1 unit)
  • Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1 unit) **
  • Elective (at least 1 unit;  should be graded A-F)
  • Also:
    • Form Advisory Committee
    • Petition for candidacy

Spring

  • If the Emerging Fields courses were not taken in year 1, they can be taken during this term
  • Take candidacy exam

Year 3+

  • Petition to defend dissertation
  • Defend dissertation

Notes

  • 7 A-F units required of didactic class-work; 9 units required per semester
  • ** 2 hours (2 semesters) of Seminars in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are required before taking the Ph.D. candidacy exam.