The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers a program leading to the Master of Science degree. The objective of this program is to provide students with a thorough background in modern biochemistry and molecular biology. This theoretical background provides the fundamental knowledge necessary for an understanding of the life sciences at the molecular level.
The Master’s program provides advanced training in the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology. Research opportunities are available (Track B). Recent graduates from the Master’s program have found technical positions in academic and pharmaceutical company labs, pursued careers in teaching, science writing and editing, and as scientific consultants in business settings, or have gone on to advanced studies for the Ph.D. or M.D. degrees.
A minimum total of 30 credits and a Master’s Literature Review (Track A) or 32 credits and a Master’s Thesis (Track B) are required for graduation. Departmental Seminar and Journal Club (BCHM 8020) may be taken multiple times but only two credits may be counted towards degree requirements. Courses offered by other departments may be applied toward the elective credit requirements with the approval of the program director. View the course descriptions here.
The Biomedical Science & Management track (Track C) requires 36 credits overall. This total includes a minimum of 24 credits from the science curriculum, a minimum of 8 credits from the professional skills curriculum, and an internship and capstone project report. A Master’s Literature Review may be substituted for the capstone report if proprietary concerns at the company hosting the internship preclude a formal report. In certain circumstances, with the approval of the program director and associate dean for the Professional Science Master’s program, a research rotation (BCHM 9800 or BMSM 9800, minimum 3 credits) may be substituted for the internship, along with either a Master’s Literature Review or a Master’s Thesis.
Track A: | |
Required Courses | |
General Biochemistry I (BCHM 1010) | 4 credits |
General Biochemistry II (BCHM 1020) | 4 credits |
Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BCHM 1250) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology I (PHYM 1010) | 4 credits |
Cell Biology (CBAM 1360) | 3 credits |
Student Seminar Courses (7101, 7102 series) | 2 credits |
Choice of one of the following courses: | |
General Microbiology I (MCRM 1010) | 4 credits |
OR Basic Immunology (MCRM 2010) | 2 credits |
OR Introduction to Pathology (PATM 1080) | 3 credits |
OR Pharmacology I (PHRM 1010) | 4 credits |
OR Immunopharmacology (PHRM 2710) | 2 credits |
Master's Literature Review (BCHM 9750) | 0 credits |
Electives (didactic credits only) | 5-7 credits |
TOTAL | 30 credits |
Track B: |
|
Required Courses | |
General Biochemistry I (BCHM 1010) | 4 credits |
General Biochemistry II (BCHM 1020) | 4 credits |
Biochemistry of Gene Expression (BCHM 1250) | 4 credits |
Mammalian Physiology I (PHYM 1010) | 4 credits |
Responsible Conduct of Research (BMSM 2020) | 2 credits |
Life in Biomedical Research I (BMSM 3510) | 2 credits |
OR Life in Biomedical Research II (BMSM 3520) | 2 credits |
Graduate Research Workshop (BMSM 8050) | 1 credit |
Master's Thesis Research (BMSM 9800) | 1-5 credits |
Master's Thesis (BCHM 9850) | 0 credits |
Electives (didactic credits only) | 6-10 credits |
TOTAL | 32 credits |
Program Director:
Victor A. Fried, Ph.D.
Basic Sciences Building - Room 236
victor_fried@nymc.edu
(914) 594-4005