Ph.D. Program

Entry with a Bachelor's Degree

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a member of the Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Each year, fifteen to twenty highly qualified candidates with bachelors' degrees are accepted into this multidisciplinary Ph.D. program. To assist students in deciding which of the diverse areas of biomedical research is right for them, this program provides students with the opportunity to explore research in as many as five different disciplines during the first year of graduate training. Approximately 70 faculty members in the programs of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, the Institutue for Molecular Virology, Pathology as well as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology provide an almost unlimited variety of research projects to choose from. In recognition that successful graduates of the future will need a broad background in biomedical science and flexible skills, the first year also includes interdisciplinary lecture courses, small group discussions, and participation in a colloquium series where the contemporary developments in the biomedical sciences are presented and discussed. Informed by their experiences in this first year, students then select a Ph.D. mentor in a specific program, such as Biochemistry and Molecular biology, and continue with their Ph.D. training in that specific program.

Application process for entry with a Bachelor's degree

Entry with a Master's Degree

For candidates who have already attained a master's degree in biochemistry or a related area, our department also offers the opportunity for direct entry into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program. Course work completed in the master's degree is individually reviewed and applied, where appropriate, as credit towards the course work required in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program. Upon acceptance into the program, the course of study is essentially the same as for students entering from the Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences. In addition, however, students entering with masters' degrees entering have the option of rotating in several different research laboratories within the department prior to choosing a dissertation mentor. Candidates with a master's degree are encouraged to contact the department or any faculty member directly if they are interested in applying to the program.

Application process for entry with a Master's degree.

Financial Aid

All students receive full tuition, medical insurance and a yearly stipend of $26,270.

Course of Study

Upon entry into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program, students join the research group of their dissertation mentor and continue their training. Our entire Ph.D. program is oriented towards providing personalized instruction tailored to the interests and needs of our students. This includes faculty-guided independent study courses in modern biochemistry, molecular biology, and scientific writing, a departmental seminar program, participation in one of several journal clubs, and optional teaching experience. These courses are designed not only to educate, but to sharpen the creative, analytical, and critical thinking skills that are essential for solving research-oriented problems. During this period, students also begin preliminary research studies that will form the basis for their dissertation research project. One year after entry into the program, students then prepare a written proposal outlining their planned dissertation research project, and defend the proposal before an advisory committee. This committee consists of faculty selected jointly by the student and mentor to provide a broad spectrum of expertise and knowledge that the student can draw upon during the course of his or her research studies

Required and Elective Courses for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Students

Students entering with a bachelor's degree are required to complete all of the basic science courses in the Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences, prior to entry into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program. Students entering into the program with a master's degree or two years of medical school may be able to substitute transfer credits for some of these courses, contingent on evaluation and approval by the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program.

REQUIRED COURSES IN THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BASIC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Basic Biomedical Sciences I and II (BBSG-501 and BBSG-503)

This two-semester lecture course, meeting five days a week, provides students with a strong foundation in the basic biomedical sciences. The course is divided into units representing major topic areas in the biomedical sciences: Macromolecular structure, shape, and information; molecular mechanisms in DNA, RNA, and protein biology; genetics; biological membranes; intracellular organelles; metabolism; cell signaling; the cytoskeleton; cell-to-cell interactions and extracellular matrix; fundamentals of drug action; the cell cycle; development; integrated biology of organ systems; and the immune system. The course is team taught by faculty drawn from all biomedical graduate programs. Co-requesites are BBSG-502 amd BBSG-504)

Special Topics in Biomedical Sciences I and II (BBSG-502 and BBSG-504)

These courses are taken concurrently with Basic Biomedical Sciences I and II. The objective of the course is to engage students in a variety of exercises designed to enhance and build upon the knowledge gained in the lecture course. The course meets twice a week for two hours. At these meetings, the class is divided into small groups, with one faculty member to guide each group through a common exercise. Although the format of each session can vary, there is extensive student participation in activities such as problem solving, laboratory exercises, discussion of scientific literature, computerized information and data analysis, and evaluation of experimental methodology and design.

Introduction to Basic Biomedical Research I and II (BBSG-597)

The primary objective of this course is to enable students to identify a mentor and project for their dissertation research at the end of the first year. Each semester is divided into three-five week rotations in different research laboratories. Students are introduced to research problems currently under investigation, and to advanced techniques employed in those studies. In the fall semester, the first rotation involves introductory activities distributed between the six graduate biomedical science programs of the medical school.

Basic Biomedical Science Colloquium (BBSG-592)

The objective of this once-a-week course is to assist students in learning the techniques of critical data analysis and formal scientific presentation, and to foster the spirit of scientific exchange in a friendly and supportive environment. In the first semester, faculty, senior graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from the different biomedical departments present research results from scientific journals to the students, providing examples by which they can learn. The students then participate in a discussion at the end of the presentation that is designed to raise their awareness of various styles of presentation and techniques for effective communication. During the second semester, under the guidance of a faculty member, the students each present a research paper to their fellow classmates. Afterward, the students meet to discuss the presentations and provide constructive feedback to the presenting student.

Ethics for Research Scientists (BBSG-510)

This annual course is designed to heighten the awareness of students to the ethical issues related to basic medical research as a profession. While this course is required of all Ph.D. students in the basic science departments, it is neither a graduate school nor a medical school course, but rather a faculty presentation. A certificate is awarded following completion of the 8-session, 16-hour course which is taken in the first year of the Ph.D. program. Topics covered include ethical use of animals in research, ethics of authorship, conflict of interest, mentorship and traineeship, and dealing with misconduct.

REQUIRED COURSES IN THE BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY PH.D. PROGRAM

Macromolecules: Structure, Function and Interactions (BCHG-623)

Students participate in self-directed problem-solving exercises designed to provide familiarity with concepts and methodology in the analysis of enzyme catalysis, protein-nucleic acid interactions, and protein function and regulation. Emphasis is on independent investigation of information resources, development of a research plan, design of experimental approaches, and evaluation of data. Offered every fall semester.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Colloquium (BCHG-691 and BCHG-692)

Students attend a weekly seminar on topics in the literature of biochemistry and molecular biology. Each student presents once during the semester. Students work with faculty advisors toward the dual goals of mastery of the techniques of public presentation of scientific research and developing the ability to critically evaluate scientific publications. (Two semesters required)

Preparation and Evaluation of Scientific Research Proposals (BCHG-625)

The ability to write a fundable grant proposal is one of the most important skills biomedical research scientists will need after graduation. A systematic strategy to address this skill is taught, practiced, and evaluated in this one-semester course. Lectures include the basic organization of an NIH-style grant proposal, the purpose and importance of each aspect of the proposal, and an overview of the grant review process. Students also select papers from outside their fields of dissertation research to prepare and present orally to the class. The students then develop and prepare their own research proposals on this topic through weekly meetings. Near the end of the term, faculty and students critique the proposals in an NIH-style grant study section. The students then revise their proposals in light of the written critiques, and resubmit them for final evaluation and grading. This course serves as the written portion of the preliminary examination. Offered every spring semester.

Advanced Topics: Molecular Basis of Human Disease (BCHG-624)

The course is designed to study biochemical principles and concepts relevant to understanding the molecular bases of specific human diseases. This lecture-based course is offered every fall semester and meets three days per week. Assigned reading material supplement the lectures and include original papers as well as reviews. This fall, the topics will deal primarily with defects in (1) signal transduction e.g. in cancer, diabetes and vision, (2) protein folding and turnover e.g. in lysosomal storage or aging-related diseases, and (3) metabolic regulation, e.g. in diseases of amino acid metabolism, bleeding disorders, and of the cardiovascular system.

ELECTIVES

Introduction to Bioinformatics and Genomics (BCHG-628)

This course introduces students to current practices in genomics and bioinformatics. Topics covered include computational techniques for finding information in biological sequence, genome and molecular structure databases. Students learn to use the publicly available tools used for identifying genes, modeling phylogenetic relationships, molecular structure and biochemical properties. This course also covers identification of informational patterns in DNA and approaches to linking genome data to information on gene function. Lectures are integrated with practical hands-on exercises designed to reinforce the concepts and to develop the necessary computer skills to effectively use the publicly available databases and tools. Offered every fall semester.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club (BCHG-692)

Once per semester, each student selects a scientific research paper in the area of enzymology, macromolecular interaction, cellular regulation, molecular biology, or genetics. An informal oral presentation of the scientific background, critical evaluation of the data and conclusions is presented to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal club.

Students may choose to take additional courses outside the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department. Each of the five graduate programs in the School of Medicine offers a wide variety of graduate courses in, for example, virology, signal transduction, and pharmacology. Additionally, through a local university exchange program, students may also enroll in courses offered at nearby Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Thus advanced courses are accessible to students in virtually any specialty area in the biomedical sciences that might interest them.

Oral Examination

During the first year after entry into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program, students begin to organize their research proposals with the help of their permanent advisors. At the end of this year, each student prepares a written proposal outlining their dissertation research plans. The preliminary oral examination for the Ph.D. degree includes approval of the written dissertation proposal by the student's faculty advisory committee, followed by an oral defense of the proposal before the advisory committee.

Teaching

The department encourages all Ph.D. students to participate in optional teaching activities as part of their educational experience. The time devoted to this activity depends on the interest of the student. Typically, students participate in teaching activities during a portion of one semester in their second and/or third year.

Advancement to Candidacy and Dissertation Defense

The second, third, and fourth years are devoted mostly to research related to the student's dissertation problem. The student is usually advanced to candidacy in the third year. In the final year, the dissertation is written and defended in a departmental seminar. This constitutes the final oral examination for the Ph.D. degree. The completion of the program usually requires five years, including the first year in the Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences. The minimum residence requirement is three years.

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