Program of Study
Graduate training should ensure a firm grounding in fundamental concepts and foster the ability to do new work that is creative, carefully executed, and important. The first year curriculum of the graduate program in Biological Chemistry aims to provide an introduction to the methods and logic of the biochemical sciences. Current knowledge of biomolecules and their reactions, the origins of recognition and catalysis, and principles of metabolic regulation, are among the topics reviewed in the first year courses. In addition, students are introduced to the basics of biochemical reasoning and to the arsenal of experimental and theoretical techniques that are used to solve biochemical problems. Seminar courses provide an opportunity to delve into the scientific literature and to gain the ability to make cogent oral presentations.
Core Curriculum
In the first year, students take core courses, seminars/journal clubs, grant writing, and carry out four research rotations. The core curriculum is designed to provide a strong, common background for research in any area of biochemistry and to meet the requirements for a Ph.D. degree in any of the participating departments. Courses evolve to incorporate the latest developments in biological chemistry. The core curriculum is compatible with the requirements of all participating departments.
In the fall, Program faculty members describe their research in order to expose students to their interests and facilitate the choice of research rotations and/or thesis project selection. Journal clubs will consist of student presentations based on readings from the current literature.
Curriculum Beyond the First Year
One and a half semesters of class work are required in most departments after the first year. Other courses taken after the first year will be determined by the requirements of the student's department of choice, thesis research interest, and the need to gain sufficient background to pass preliminary exams.
Laboratory Rotations
Students in the Biological Chemistry Program complete four laboratory rotations with different faculty members during their first year. In addition to helping students choose a thesis mentor, lab rotations expose students to areas of research they might not otherwise experience, enable them to develop a network of contacts, and to learn experimental techniques that may prove helpful in their subsequent thesis research. To assist students in choosing lab rotations, Program faculty present short talks about their research programs during the fall. These talks inform students about the diversity of possible thesis topics and the variety of experimental approaches employed in different labs.
Choosing a Mentor
Students choose thesis advisors at the end of Spring semester of their first year. These arrangements are made by mutual agreement between mentor and student, and automatically admit the student to the degree program of the advisor's department. The student is then required to fulfill the specific degree requirements of the chosen department
Financial Support
All Ph.D. students are awarded financial support for the duration of their thesis work provided their progress is satisfactory. The stipend for the 2007-2008 academic year is $25,000. In addition, tuition is waived and health and dental insurance is provided. The first year stipend is provided by the Program. After the first year, students are supported from individual department sources, by graduate training grants or by research assistantships. The University of Utah holds training grants from the National Institutes of Health for the support of advanced graduate students.
Teaching Experience
Depending on the department students select for their thesis work after the first year, they will be either encouraged or required to complete 1 semester of teaching assistantship in their second or later years. Teaching assignments typically involve conducting discussion sections or supervising students in laboratory courses. There is no teaching obligation in the first year.
Admission to Candidacy
Students are admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree after completing course, seminar, and teaching requirements, and passing a qualifying examination. This examination is normally taken at the end of the second year of graduate school and is administered by the student's thesis committee or by a departmental examining committee.