Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS

Program Description

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Biochemists and molecular biologists study life processes ranging from the level of individual molecules to the whole organism. Our M.S. program provides the student with a strong foundational background to understand the molecular basis of life. An important career development aspect of the M.S. program is the thesis requirement in which valuable hands-on and cutting-edge research experience is obtained with a biomedical focus. Students completing the M.S. program are well-equipped to continue their career development in a number of areas. Examples include:

Preparation for continued study in a Ph.D. Program. Graduate study with faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree is available through the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program.
Directly proceed to work in industry, academic, medical, or government research labs.
Background for the continuation of studies in the health professions.

Major research interests of the department include diverse studies of life processes having a biomedical focus and include: structure and function of biological macromolecules, molecular genetics, metabolomics and systems biology. Specific research projects deal with the structure and function of membranes, proteins and enzymes, nucleic acids, chromatin structure and function, molecular genetics of disease, nucleotide metabolism, microbial systems biology, and the use of magnetic resonance to study biochemical phenomena (see http://www.wright.edu/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology/research#tab=faculty for further details).

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements for admission established by the Graduate School. A bachelor’s degree in the biochemical, biological, or chemical sciences, including course work in organic chemistry, physics, and calculus, is generally required. In addition, letters of recommendation are an important admission consideration.

Facilities

BMB General Facilities

The BMB department is well-equipped to support our biochemical and molecular biology research projects. Examples of key equipment available includes visible-ultraviolet recording spectrophotometers, spectrofluorometers, DNA synthesizer, circular dichroism spectrophotometer, FPLC, DNA array systems, next-generation sequencers, real-time PCR system, stopped-flow reaction analyzer, liquid scintillation counters, gamma counters, ultracentrifuges, various kinds of electrophoresis equipment, gas-liquid chromatographs, high pressure liquid chromatographs, and tissue culture facilities. NMR, mass spectrometry, microscopy, and biocontainment facilities are available for departmental use. A modern, well-equipped laboratory animal facility is also available.

Center for Genomics Research

The Center for Genomics Research (http://www.med.wright.edu/cgr) (CGR) is a Research Center of Excellence at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. The CGR’s primary mission is to provide support and core facilities for Wright State research faculty engaged in basic and clinical research in the areas of gene expression, flow cytometry, and genotyping. The Center strives to cultivate collaborations between basic and clinical researchers at Wright State through training of personnel, collaborative projects undertaken at CGR, and joint grant submissions involving researchers and CGR members.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Laboratory

The WSU Magnetic Resonance Laboratory houses two research instruments: (1) a 8.5 Tesla Wide-Bore (89 mm clear bore) 360 MHz NMR System equipped with a Tecmag Discovery Console; and (2) a Varian INOVA 600 NMR Spectrometer. The laboratory is particularly well-equipped to support on-going investigations involving metabolomics.

For additional information:

Program Requirements:

Qualification for the Master of Science degree requires a candidate to fulfill the requirements of the Graduate School, to complete departmental course work, and to submit an acceptable research thesis.

Dept Core and Electives

I. Core

BMB 6020 - Research Perspectives in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 7500 - Molecular Biochemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 7520 - Molecular Biochemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
BMB 7030 - Research Ethics Credit Hour(s): .5
*For the Biochemistry lecture sequence (BMB 7500 and BMB 7520 ), a grade of B must be obtained in each semester of these courses. If a B is not obtained, the student may repeat the course (or courses) once. A repeat of BMB 7500 and/or BMB 7520 must be completed within a year of the semester in which the deficiency occurs.

II. Advanced Courses

Graduate Seminars in Biochemistry or Other Depts: 5 Hours

BMB 8000 - Biochemistry Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
BMB 9000 - Advanced Seminar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Credit Hour(s): 1

Two Additional 7000 Level Courses: 5 Hours

(Course selection subject to departmental approval. The student and his or her thesis advisor will have the responsibility for selecting advanced courses and seminars suited to each student’s program needs and interests.)

Hands-on thesis research. Research thesis: 14 Hours

BMB 8990 - Biochemistry Research Credit Hour(s): .5 to 15 or
BMB 6990 - Special Problems in Biochemistry Credit Hour(s): 1 to 5
The thesis must be based on hands-on research. BMB 8990 (or BMB 6990 ) must be taken each semester the student performs laboratory research. The thesis advisory committee must be made up of at least three faculty from the Department of Biochemistry. The student will orally defend the completed thesis and present a departmental seminar on his or her research.