MD/PhD in Biochemistry

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
schreibe@bu.edu

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 (BUSM) 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 and research are identical to those required for the PhD candidates with the exception that specific modules within GMS FC 701–705 may be met by the first-year BUSM curriculum subject to prior approval by the Student Affairs Committee.

Course Requirements

  • GMS FC 701, FC 702, FC 703, FC 704, FC 706* (Foundations in Biomedical Sciences)
    * Prior satisfaction of specific modules within GMS FC 701–706 may be met by the first-year BUSM curriculum subject to prior approval by the Student Affairs Committee.
  • GMS BI 854 Biochemistry Seminar
  • GMS BI 777 Techniques in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
  • GMS MS 700 or GMS MS 570 Biostatistics
  • Advanced electives
  • Research credits

(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.

Admissions

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree—usually with a major in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry—and have taken courses in general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and calculus may apply for either an MA or a PhD in Biochemistry. Some coursework in biochemistry is also recommended. Students who have completed an MA degree in Biochemistry or a closely related field can apply for a post-MA PhD program. MD/PhD students are also eligible for admission.

A part-time MA program is available to qualified applicants who are employees in laboratories of faculty within the Department of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine (contact the Director of Graduate Studies for further information). A student currently enrolled in an MA program in the Department of Biochemistry may apply for the PhD program if he/she has completed 12 or more graduate credits (including GMS FC 701-6 and GMS BI 777) and has obtained a GPA of 3.25 or better. In addition, the student must have taken and successfully passed the Written Qualifying Examination in the Department of Biochemistry.

The deadline for submission of applications and supportive credentials for admission for the Fall Semester is January 1. Late applications will be considered with prior approval of the department chair or program director. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for additional information.

Financial Support

Financial assistance in the form of tuition and health benefits, as well as a living stipend, is available to students in good standing in the PhD program.