Biochemistry (PHD)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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The science of biochemistry

Biochemistry explores the molecular basis for life processes through chemical and physical studies on the structure and behavior of complex molecules found in biological materials. Biochemistry has emerged as a highly creative and successful discipline that has developed many new technologies and broadly applies the technological advances of other disciplines. Through characterizing the structure, function, assembly, and dynamic changes of macromolecules, biochemists seek to answer fundamental questions about living processes (basic research) and to bring to fruition significant improvements in the quality of life and medical care (applied research). The great complexity and endless variety of biological systems, together with the need for broad explorations, assure that imaginative research will continue in the field of biochemistry for the foreseeable future.

Graduate program approach

The biochemistry program seeks excellence in teaching and research through a program tailored to the development of the individual student. The Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group administers granting of M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry whether the research is conducted within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics or in other cooperating departments. The program of study is flexible, accommodating students with a wide range of backgrounds, including genetics, microbiology, physics, and medicine as well as the traditional chemistry, biochemistry, and biology degrees. The graduate program is structured to aid students in the successful completion of their graduate training in biochemistry by providing access to leading researchers in biochemistry and related fields, offering a core curriculum, seminars, and teaching and research opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, appropriate and adequate course work, and an average of B or better in the junior and senior years or an excellent postgraduate record at another institution. Provisional admission may occur when there are limited deficiencies in undergraduate course work that can be removed by course work taken at Kansas State University or when there is uncertainty in evaluation of transcripts, as may occur in the case of international students. In the latter case, removal of the provisional status occurs upon the accumulation of 9 hours of course work with a B or better average.

Undergraduate and postgraduate credits should include analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, calculus, physics, and a semester of biology including a laboratory. Physical chemistry may be completed as part of an M.S. or Ph.D. program, but all other deficiencies must be completed without graduate credit. No foreign language is required.

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam and submit their scores with the application.

Students already holding an applicable master’s degree upon admission can count 30 credits toward the 90 credits required for the doctorate.

International students

A minimal score of 550 on the written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) is required for admission to the Graduate School for any student whose native language is not English. Because beginning graduate students in biochemistry are appointed as combined teaching/research assistants, a Test of Spoken English (TSE) score of 50 of 60 is required by the Kansas Board of Regents. The test may be taken in the U.S. or abroad.

Course Requirements

The Graduate School requires at least three years of two semesters each of graduate study (equivalent to 90 semester hours) beyond the bachelor’s degree and a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Approximately 30 to 40 hours of course work are required for the Ph.D. in addition to research for a satisfactory dissertation. Students already holding an applicable master’s degree upon admission can count 30 credits toward the 90 credits required for the doctorate.

Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. requires satisfactory performance in the two core biochemistry courses, and defense of a research proposal on a topic selected by the student in consultation with their supervisory committee. This defense serves as the preliminary examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D.

Required Courses

In addition to the required biochemistry courses, 10 credit hours of biology courses are required, and advanced chemistry or physics courses are encouraged. Two credits must be obtained in the Graduate Biochemistry Seminar (BIOCH 806).

BIOCH 806 - Biochemistry Seminar Credits: 0-1

Kansas State University

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