MD/PhD in Biochemistry

General Program Information

MD/PhD candidates must fulfill the requirements for both the MD and the PhD degrees. Please consult with the Office of Admissions for Boston University School of Medicine for information on how to apply to the MD/PhD program as well as the curriculum for the MD component (medical school curriculum). For the PhD component, the required courses are identical to those required for the PhD candidates with the exception that GMS BI 755 and BI 756 are waived.

Course Requirements

• GMS CM 753 Cell Biology
• GMS BI 782 Molecular Biology
• GMS BI 854 Biochemistry Seminar
• GMS BI 759 Integrative Biochemistry
• GMS MS 700 or GMS MS 570 Biostatistics
• Advanced elective

(See Course Descriptions for more details.)

Qualifying Examinations

Candidates for the MD/PhD degrees must pass both a written qualifying examination and an oral qualifying examination.

Thesis Advisory Committee and Thesis Defense

Upon completion of qualifying exams, MD/PhD candidates present a research proposal to a five-member Thesis Advisory Committee. The committee is assembled at least once annually to discuss the progress of the accepted proposal. Once the Thesis Advisory Committee determines that the research work is complete, the student writes and defends the thesis.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Barbara M. Schreiber, PhD
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Biochemistry
Boston University School of Medicine
72 E. Concord Street, K207
Boston, MA 02118
Email: schreibe@bu.edu

Student Life

Students are an important and integral part of any educational department and this is no different at the Department of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine. In order to be more involved in departmental affairs, students of the department have created the Biochemistry Student Organization (BSO) to foster the academic and professional development of the student body. In addition to this primary mission, the BSO also organizes and sponsors various social and academic events for students and the department.