Graduate Program Information
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Master of Science in Biochemistry
| Major Code: | 8032 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
An applicant for admission to the master’s program in biochemistry should have an undergraduate degree in chemistry or in a related area. Typically, a minimum of eight semester courses should have been taken in four of the five major fields of chemistry: organic, analytical, physical, inorganic and biochemistry; as well as appropriate courses in mathematics and physics. Applicants may be admitted on a provisional basis with the requirement that undergraduate deficiencies be corrected during the first year of study. Proficiency examinations are administered to all new students the week before the beginning of classes as an aid in planning each program of study.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Biochemistry is based on successful completion of a minimum of 34 graduate credit hours following an approved program plan. A research proposal, thesis and oral examination in defense of the thesis are required.
Thesis Research
A thesis based on research conducted in residence at Florida Tech under the direction of a member of the chemistry department graduate faculty is required. During the first academic semester, the student selects a faculty member to serve as research adviser. During the same semester and with the assistance of the adviser, the student selects an advisory committee, prepares a program plan, and defines a research topic. The student then progressively continues through the stages of research proposal, research, thesis and oral examination. Throughout this period, the advisory committee provides assistance and direction to the student and serves as the review board for the research proposal, thesis and oral examination.
Curriculum
The program plan has a minimum of 34 credit hours and includes four core chemistry courses, four additional chemistry/biology courses, and nine credit hours of thesis and one credit of seminar.
| Core Courses (12 credit hours) | ||
| CHM 5002 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 5111 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 5304 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 5500 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| Chemistry/Biology Elective (12 credit hours*) | ||
| CHM 5018 |
Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry or BIO 4101 Molecular Biology* | 3 |
| CHM 5501 | Interpretation of Chemical Spectra | 3 |
| CHM 5507 | Natural Products or CHM 5508 Bioorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 5520 |
Medicinal Chemistry or BIO 5585 Protein Structure and Function | 3 |
| Thesis (10 credit hours) | ||
| CHM 5901 | Chemistry Thesis Seminar | 1 |
| CHM 5999 | Thesis (taken for a total of 9 credit hours) | 9 |
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 34
*Students who have not taken undergraduate biochemistry are required to take the 4-credit-hour Biochemistry 1 (BIO 4010) in place of the 3-credit-hour Molecular Biology (BIO 4101) before registering for any 5000-level elective courses. This requirement adds one credit hour to the total credits required.