College of Science
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers advanced study and research leading to Master’s (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Biochemistry. The PhD degree is awarded primarily for independent research. The MS degree is awarded for successful completion of specific courses and research less comprehensive than a doctoral program. Students seeking an MS in biochemistry successfully complete all required coursework, conduct research under the direction of a major professor and write a thesis acceptable to a supervisory committee (Plan A) or write a review-of-literature paper (Plan B), and pass an oral examination that is principally a defense of the thesis or the Plan B paper.
Qualified undergraduate chemistry majors at USU may apply in their third year for admission to the MS program. Students may be admitted to the MS program if they have a B average in chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses, and have completed the one-year sequences in general, organic, and physical chemistry (including labs), two courses in analytical or inorganic chemistry, two semesters of physics, math through MATH 2210, and at least 15 credits of their University Studies requirements. Students should consult with the chairperson of the Graduate Recruiting and Admissions Committee to be certain of their eligibility for this program. All requirements for the BS degree must be completed within two semesters of admission. The MS degree cannot include coursework counted toward the BS degree.
Requirements for an MS degree in Biochemistry
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university.
Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Students must not receive more than one C grade in any graduate coursework. More than one C grade or grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a biochemistry graduate degree.
Credits in the following areas are not acceptable in a degree program: foreign languages (unless included in an approved Program of Study), continuing graduate advisement, individual home study, military science, and courses numbered below 3000.
An MS degree must be completed within six years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated.
At least 24 semester credits for an MS degree must be from a committee-approved and a School of Graduate Studies-approved Program of Study from Utah State University.
The Plan A option for an MS degree requires the preparation and defense of a thesis. Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 semester credits of thesis research (6970) with a maximum of 15 thesis credits applied toward a Program of Study.
A Plan B option requires the production and defense of a paper or project, depending on the department and program. A minimum of two credits of thesis research (6970) are required, but no more than three thesis research credits can be included in an approved Program of Study.
The Program of Study for an MS degree must include at least 15 semester credits at the level of 6000 or above.
Approval of all academic forms required for MS students by the School of Graduate Studies.
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