86 hours minimum

Apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following: a) 3 letters of recommendation, with the average student having and one or more strong letters of recommendation from principal investigators or industrial scientists b) CV c) Statement of Purpose (emphasizing career goals, scientific interests, and research experience); at the end of the statement it is helpful to mention the names of any potential BCMB faculty who share these interests. d) Undergraduate transcript. The minimum GPA is 3.0, but the average GPA for entering BCMB students is 3.5 e) An M.S. degree is not required for admission, but a BCMB applicant is expected to have a major in one of the life sciences (biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, biology, etc.) or chemistry. The average entering BCMB student also has about one year of research experience as an undergraduate or postgraduate.

f) International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. g) BCMB applicants matriculate through the Integrated Life Sciences program (https://ils.uga.edu), which has an application deadline is December 1 for the following fall semester.

BCMB 8060

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar

2

BCMB 8070

Research Discussion

1

BCMB 8080

Current Literature in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

1

BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8113

Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology (1a)

2

BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8114

Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology (1b)

2

BCMB 8990

Problems in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

1-5

BCMB 9000

Doctoral Research

1-15

BCMB 9300  (3 hours)

Doctoral Dissertation

1-15

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

Choose 6 credit hour(s) from the following:

Elective courses These courses may come from any department but should be approved by the student’s advisory committee. In certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to substitute a 6000-level course, but this substitution requires the approval of the student’s PI and Advisory Committee.

The publication of scholarly work represents the culmination of a research project and is the capstone achievement of a successful Ph.D. dissertation. All BCMB Ph.D. students are expected to have had accepted for publication a minimum of one peer-reviewed research manuscript or patent application as first- or co-first author prior to scheduling their defense. However, extenuating circumstances may justify waiving this policy. If the student has submitted a manuscript or is nearing the submission of a manuscript (within 60 days of defending), the student’s advisory committee may waive the publication requirement by a majority vote of the full committee. If a submission or publication is not expected within this time frame, but the Major Professor and the majority of the full advisory committee support the student defending, the student or the Major Professor may appeal to the BCMB Graduate Affairs Committee for a waiver.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

The overwhelming majority of BCMB students are supported on GRAs, but Teaching Assistantships (GLAs) are available for students who are interested in gaining teaching experience.