The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology has merged with the Department of Chemistry. The new entity
is called the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology which
better describes the connection between Biology and Chemistry at
the molecular level. All existing programs in Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology described on this website remain intact. For additional
information see the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.
Program Description
The Program in Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology offers graduate study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
The department also participates in the interdisciplinary Ph.D.
program in Cellular and Molecular Biology.
At the start of the first year of study, entering graduate students take entrance examinations in biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. The graduate student progress committee uses these exams for advisory purposes in recommending course work during the first year. As a consequence, programs are individually tailored to the needs of each student.
The chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology of plant, animal, insect, and microbial systems are studied through advanced course work and research. Selection of the area of emphasis depends on the interests of the student. Typically, coursework is completed in one to one-and-a-half years for M.S. candidates, and two years for Ph.D. candidates, leaving later years for full-time thesis research. The typical time to complete a graduate degree averages three years for the M.S. degree and approximately five years for the Ph.D.
Admissions Requirements
The graduate programs in Biochemistry are open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an
educational institution of recognized standing.
- Have adequate preparation for the study
of biochemistry and molecular biology at the graduate level,
and show potential to undertake advanced study and research
as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
- At the baccalaureate level, have earned
a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or equivalent
in all courses.
Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work, but show potential for successful graduate study may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's potential is not adequately reflected by his/her record. After meeting the specified standards of performance by the department, the student in consultation with the major adviser may request a change to full graduate standing. The student may not earn more than 12 semester hours of graduate credit in the conditional status. The request for change must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School by the major adviser and approved by the department chair.
Applications will be considered at any time. Application materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate School and need to be received before May 1 to be considered for the upcoming academic year. Official transcripts (transcripts having an appropriate seal or stamp) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by The Graduate School before the application is complete. When transcripts are submitted prior to completion of the undergraduate or graduate degrees, updated transcripts showing all course credits and grades must be provided prior to the initial registration at NDSU.
- The online application for admission to Graduate
School, which is also your application for financial assistance
in the form of a Teaching Assistantship.
- Reasons for Graduate Study Statement.
Please indicate your desired area of study: Organic, Inorganic,
Analytical, Physical, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or undecided.
(Multidisciplinary interests are also encouraged, but please
state the major areas of study).
- Three letters of recommendation from
individuals able to comment on you're academic and research
potential.
- An official transcript from all institutions
of higher education that you have attended.
- Test score results for the GRE General examination. The GRE subject exam (in either Chemistry or Biochemistry) is preferred, but not required.
The TOEFL examination is required of international applicants whose first language is not English. Proficiency in oral and written communication in English must be demonstrated through on-campus exams/courses before a student can become a teaching assistant.
The student must first apply to the Graduate School and be accepted in full or conditional status before he/she is eligible for an assistantship in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.
Graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology are supported during both the academic year and during summer months by either teaching assistantships (TA) or research assistantships (RA). As of the 2007-2008 academic year, the standard monthly stipend is $1,683 per month for TAs and RAs. University tuition (except for an student activity fee) is waived for all TAs and RAs in good academic standing.
The Master of Science program requires the completion of a total of 30 graduate semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. This total is comprised of both class work and research credit, but must consist of at least 16 semester credits from letter-graded course work. The Ph.D. program requires the completion of a total of 90 graduate semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. This total is comprised of both class work and research credit, but must consist of at least 27 semester credits from letter-graded course work.
Each student chooses a thesis adviser within six months of beginning graduate school. As this is one of the most important decisions made in graduate school, students are strongly urged to visit multiple faculty members to discuss research opportunities. In addition, faculty seminars during the fall semester are designed to acquaint new students with the available research programs.
By the end of the first academic year, each student selects an advisory and examination committee, which consists of the thesis adviser, two other faculty members in the chemistry department, and one faculty member from a department outside the College of Science and Mathematics.
Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree is accomplished by satisfying three requirements: 1) satisfactory performance in course work with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average, 2) satisfactory performance on a written preliminary examination, taken during the summer after the second year, and 3) satisfactory defense of an original research proposal on a topic approved by the student's advisory committee. The defense of this proposal must occur at least eight months prior to the final oral examination. Following completion of dissertation research, the candidate must complete a written dissertation and an oral presentation to the department and advisory committee.
Research Opportunities and Infrastructure
The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology has more than 10 externally funded faculty research programs. Research expenditures have averaged $1.8 million over the last 10 years, with more than $2.2 million in the last 2 years.
All research and most teaching activities within the department occur within three centrally-located buildings, including two connected facilities, Ladd Hall and Dunbar Laboratory, as well as the Industrial and Agricultural Communications Center (IACC) located across the street. Most departmental offices, classrooms and teaching labs as well as some research labs are located in Ladd Hall, while Dunbar and the third floor of the IACC primarily consists of research laboratories. Ladd Hall also houses departmental glass, machine, and electronics shops.
Modern instrumentation is vital to research in the chemical sciences. The quality and quantity of instrumentation within the department has been greatly enhanced in the last few years through aggressive fund-raising efforts and university matching support.
The department has recently upgraded its mass spectrometry capabilities to include a Bio-TOF III with accurate mass analysis, ESI and CI ionization; as well as an Esquire 3000 Plus - an Ion trap instrument with MS-MS and proteomics capabilities. A dedicated LC can be integrated with the both the instruments.
The Organic Spectroscopy Laboratory is primarily devoted to maintenance and operation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers. The recently upgraded facility includes three modern high-field instruments: Varian 500, 400, and 300 MHz spectrometers. All have multinuclear, 2-D, and variable temperature capabilities, and the 400 MHz instrument has been recently upgraded for solids capabilities. This center also includes the departmental FTIR.
The Materials Characterization Laboratory houses the departmental crystallography faculties including a Bruker single crystal CCD X-ray diffractometer with low temperature capabilities, a Philips MPD (Multi-Purpose Diffractometer), two Philips X-ray powder diffractometers, and a Kevex X-ray fluorescence unit. CHN Elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) are also available.
The Center for Protease Research - Core Biology Facility is a new facility housing equipment and technical personnel for performing bioassay, cell and tissue culture, and molecular biology experiments. For bioassays, the facility has a fluorimeter capable of top or bottom reading and the capability to handle both 96- and 384-well plates. For sample preparation, researchers can utilize cell and tissue culture capabilities such as flow hoods and culture chambers. In addition, RT-PCR and FPLC protein purification technology is available.
The chemistry library, located in Ladd Hall, provides graduate students and faculty with convenient 24-hour access to more than 200 journals and approximately 10,000 volumes. Literature searching via SciFinder is supported.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology Web site (www.chem.ndsu.nodak.edu) for the latest descriptions of research programs and instrumentation.
Courses Offered
- 665 Principles of Physical Chemistry
and Biophysics 4
- Conceptual approach to physical chemistry
and biophysics, molecular structure, energy, equilibria, and
kinetics. Application of fundamental concepts and related instrumental
techniques to the life sciences. 4 lectures. Prereq: Math 147,
Phys 212; Coreq: Bioc 460.
673 Methods of Biochemical Research 3- Advanced separation, characterization,
and enzymological techniques for research in the biological
sciences are emphasized. 1 lecture and 2 three-hour laboratories.
Prereq: Bioc 461 or 701, or Coreq: Bioc 701.
674 Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology 3- Principles and techniques of recombinant
DNA construction, gene cloning, and analysis of gene structure.
1 lecture and 2 three-hour laboratories. Prereq: Bioc 461 or
702, or Coreq: Bioc 702.
675 Computer Applications in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
3- This course will cover basic and advanced
biochemical calculations and the use of computer programs to
make these calculations. Programs for the presentation of data
and seminars will also be presented. Prereq: Bioc 460 or 701.
683 Cellular Signal Transduction Processes and Metabolic Regulation
3- Advanced topics in regulation of metabolic
processes including signal transduction, reversible and irreversible
covalent modification, hormonal effects, protein turnover, and
related phenomena. 2 lectures. Prereq: Bioc 461 or 702.
685 Industrial Biotechnology 3 - Discussion of commercial biochemical
processes, including industrial fermentation and fermentor design,
immobilized cell and enzyme bioreactors, product recovery methods,
relevant metabolic pathways, and other aspects of industrial
biotechnology. 3 lectures. Spring. Prereq: Bioc 460 or 702,
Micro 350.
701 Comprehensive Biochemistry I 4 - Comprehensive treatment of the chemistry and biochemistry of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, and the specific metabolism of these substances. Prereq: Chem 342.
702 Comprehensive Biochemistry II 4 - Comprehensive treatment of the chemistry and biochemistry of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, and the specific metabolism of these substances. Prereq: Bioc 701.
716 Protein and Enzyme Biochemistry 3- Advanced topics in protein properties
and structure, and the influence of these factors on enzyme
kinetics and mechanism. 3 lectures. Alternate years; spring.
Prereq: Bioc 702.
717 Carbohydrate/Lipid Biochemistry 3- Advanced topics in the structure, reactions,
biosynthesis, and properties of carbohydrate and lipid materials
of plant and animal origin. 3 lectures. Alternate years; spring.
Prereq: Bioc 702.
718 Metabolic Regulation 2 - Advanced topics in regulation of metabolic processes including signal transduction, reversible and irreversible covalent modification, hormonal effects, protein turnover, and related phenomena. Prereq: Bioc 702.
719 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression and Regulation 3- Advanced topics in molecular biology
and regulation in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea; early
events in developmental gene expression. 3 lectures. Alternate
years; fall. Prereq: Bioc 702.
790 Seminar 1-3
793 Individual Study 1-5
796 Special Topics 1-5
798 Master's Thesis 1-10
799 Doctoral Dissertation 1-15-
