The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics is home to an inquisitive and diverse community of scholars with a common interest in biochemistry and biophysics. On successful completion of the program, our PhD students are equipped to address pressing scientific challenges through cohesive application of both empirical and theoretical methods.
Our PhD students must complete at least 96 credit hours, accumulated through a combination of traditional coursework, journal clubs, and dissertation research.
Year 1
You will take your core coursework and solidify your broad understanding of biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics. All students must complete three 5-week laboratory rotations before selecting a research group to host their pre-candidacy term. You will also begin your teaching requirement, which is a critical part of your scientific development.
Prerequisite Coursework
Incoming graduate students should have strong foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Recommended prerequisite coursework includes:
- Two semesters of Biochemistry (equivalent to BICH 410/411)
- One semester of Physical Chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 328)
- One semester of Molecular Genetics (equivalent to BICH/GENE 431)
- Two semesters of Organic Chemistry (equivalent to CHEM 227/228)
- One semester of Physics
- One semester of Calculus
Orientation Week
All incoming graduate students are required to attend orientation week, which is typically held the week before the first day of Fall classes. During orientation, you will learn about TAMU policies, BCBP procedures, student resources, safety requirements, and the terms/conditions of your employment.
Core Coursework
During your first year, you will establish an advanced knowledge in biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics. You will also develop skills in critical scientific reading and gain greater exposure to a diverse array of research through laboratory rotations.
Fall
You will take four courses and participate in three 5-week laboratory rotations. Procedures and recommendations for selecting your laboratory rotations will be discussed during Orientation Week. You will regularly meet with the Advisory Committee (see the Handbook for more information).
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BICH 603 | Principles of Biochemistry and Biophysics | 3 cr. |
| BICH 608 | Critical Analysis of the Biochemical Literature | 2 cr. |
| BICH 631 | Biochemical Genetics | 3 cr. |
| BICH 689 | Application of Scientific Values | 1 cr. |
| Rotations 1, 2, and 3 |
Spring
You will take our modular course series. Designed with flexibility in mind, you will select six 5-week courses to create a course schedule tailored to your research interests. You will select a research group to host your pre-candidacy term by January. All first-year graduate students serve as Teaching Assistants this semester.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BICH 6XX | Advanced Modules* | 6 cr. |
| BICH 6XX | Journal Club | 1 cr. |
| BICH 697 | Teaching | 1 cr. |
| BICH 691 | Research | 1 cr. |
*Previous offerings include: Metabolism, Quantitative Analysis in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Quantitative Analysis in Genomics / Molecular Biology, Advanced Ligand Interactions, NMR Spectroscopy, and Biochemical Kinetics, Mechanisms of Cell Division”, among others.
Once students join a lab, they will work closely with their thesis advisor to develop a thesis project. To sharpen the students’ focus towards this goal, during their last meeting with the Graduate Advisory Committee at the end of the Spring semester of the 1st year, each student will present a 3 minute thesis presentation’ to the Committee. This presentation is not an examination; its sole purpose is to prompt students to clearly and concisely describe a possible thesis project. Using no more than 3 slides, you will state the title of your project and the scientific problem your thesis research will address. Explain why this problem is significant or who it affects (1 minute).Outline your approach, i.e. the experimental and/or theoretical method(s) you will use to rigorously investigate the problem (e.g., your research design, data collection, and analysis techniques, 1 minute). State how you will interpret your findings, their implications, or how they will contribute to the field (1 minute).
Summer
You will continue your lab work throughout the Summer.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BICH 691 | Research | 6 cr. |
Teaching
All graduate students are required to serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs) for two semesters, generally in the spring of their first year and the fall of their second year. To be a TA, students must be certified through the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) Teaching Assistant Institute (TAI) program – Details are sent before the start of each semester. BCBP graduate students are usually assigned to undergraduate lab courses or recitation sections.
Lab Rotations & Research Advisor
Prior to joining a research group, you will participate in three laboratory rotations during your first semester. These rotations are designed to be mutually beneficial to both you and the faculty member. For you, this is an opportunity to learn about a broad array of research topics and determine your preferred subdiscipline. You should also use this time to evaluate the lab environment and PI mentorship style – Can you confidently commit to completing your PhD in the group? At the same time, the PI will be assessing your motivation, technical skills, and intellectual abilities. Finally, you should consider each rotation an opportunity to contribute substantively to a research project (perhaps even gaining authorship on publications!) and cultivate relationships with faculty who may eventually provide letters of recommendation on your behalf.
Pursuing a Ph.D. means a long-term commitment and extended collaboration with a Principal Investigator (PI). Tensions can arise from the demanding research environment. Clear communication about expectations between you and your PI is vital to avoid misunderstandings. Nowadays, many PIs use written agreements to clarify these expectations, benefiting everyone involved. You can find a sample for such an agreement here: Sample BCBP Student-PI compact
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee is comprised of four faculty members whose goal is to guide you through the pre-candidacy period of your Ph.D. studies. They will help orient you to the program and assist you in developing a curriculum that strengthens your weaknesses, buttresses your strength, and introduces you to the possibilities for advanced study and research in biochemistry and biophysics.
Year 2
You will take six elective course credits, complete your second semester of required teaching, and sit the Preliminary Examination.
Based on your interests and input from your thesis advisor and the Graduate Advising Committee, you will select elective coursework from BCBP and other departments. A non-comprehensive list of elective courses is in the Graduate Program Handbook. Of particular interest in recent years are courses emphasizing statistical concepts and applications (BIOL683, STAT646, STAT651, STAT652). Note that not all classes are taught every semester. You can find a current and updated list of course offerings on Howdy. In preparation for Graduate Advisory Meetings, review the course description, prerequisite requirements, and current offerings for each elective you are considering.
Coursework
Fall
You will take six elective course credits during the Fall of your second year. You will also begin Journal Club and complete your final required semester of Teaching Assistantship.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTIVE | Elective (2) | 6 cr. |
| BICH 6XX | Journal Club | 1 cr. |
| BICH 697 | Teaching | 1 cr. |
| BICH 691 | Research | 1 cr. |
Spring
In the Spring, you will continue to take Journal Club and Research credits. In preparation for your upcoming Preliminary Examination, you will enroll in Oral and Written Scientific Communication courses. All Preliminary Examinations will be held in April. Immediately after your Preliminary Examination, you will submit your formal Degree Plan and select a Thesis Committee.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BICH 681 | Written Communication | 2 cr. |
| BICH 689 | Oral Communication | 1 cr. |
| BICH 6XX | Journal Club | 1 cr. |
| BICH 690 | Theory of Biochemistry Research | 2 cr. |
| BICH 691 | Research | 3 cr. |
| Preliminary Examination | ||
| Submit Degree Plan and select a Thesis Committee |
Dissertation Proposal & Preliminary Exams
All students will sit the Preliminary Examination in April. The examination is comprised of a written research proposal and an oral presentation. More information can be found in the Graduate Program Handbook.
With input from their thesis advisor, students are strongly encouraged to submit their written dissertation proposal to a funding agency of their choice.
Year 3 and Beyond
Following advancement to candidacy, you will focus on your dissertation research.
Coursework
Spring, Summer, and Fall
Once all core coursework is complete, you will continue to enroll in Journal Club and Research credits.
In the Summer between Year 3 and Year 4 of your study, you must complete an online course on “Research Integrity: Publication Ethics” and submit a copy of your Certificate of Completion to the Graduate Office.
Defense
You may petition your Thesis Committee for permission begin composing your dissertation at any time following advancement to candidacy.
Have Questions?
For undergraduate admissions questions:
For graduate admissions questions:
For general questions: