Faculty research interests in biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) reflect the broad nature of this discipline, including biochemistry, molecular genetics, systems biology, developmental biology, cell biology, metabolism, and organism interactions with the environment in microbial, plant and animal systems. A specially tailored degree plan is determined in consultation with the student’s major advisor and graduate committee members. Research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art growth facilities and instrumentation for in-depth study of functional genomics, gene discovery, metabolomics, protein/nucleic acid structure and function, and molecular and cellular imaging. Visit www.biology.unt.edu for more information on the research interests of the BMB faculty.

The MS with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology is designed to provide a graduate-level foundation followed by advanced study and research. Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of three BMB foundation courses across the disciplines of biochemistry, molecular genetics and cell biology (equivalent to 9 hours), and an additional three courses (equivalent to 9 hours) selected from foundation, advanced and supporting electives, in consultation with the student’s advisory committee.  Supporting courses may be in biology or other departments or programs at UNT or partner institutions (e.g., UNT, HSC or TWU).  Contact the department for further details on qualifying foundation, advanced, and supporting elective courses. Students must enroll in BIOL 5860  at least once per year for the duration of their degree.

Degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Option 1, Master of Science (thesis) requirements and procedures

Master of Science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology is a research program of 30 hours of graduate credit at the 5000 and 6000 course level beyond the bachelor’s degree, including 6 hours of thesis.

1. During the first long term/semester, the student, in consultation with the major professor, selects an advisory committee of two other faculty members from the department faculty. A copy of the form designating the committee should be filed with the graduate advising coordinator before the student’s second long term/semester.
2. The student, major professor, and advisory committee must meet at least annually to monitor student progress, formulate the degree plan, and administer exams and the final thesis defense. The annual committee meeting will consist of a student-led progress presentation followed by time for discussion of progress and future directions. The student is responsible for organizing the annual committee meetings and the major professor is the chair of the meetings.
3. Before registering for the second long term/semester, the student, major professor, and advisory committee prepare a formal degree plan of the courses to be taken by the student. The degree plan consists of 9 hours of foundation and 9 hours of advanced/electives courses, and 6 hours of thesis. Only 3 hours of special problems (5900-5910) may be counted toward the degree plan. The number of individual research (6940) hours counted toward the degree plan, is determined by the major professor and advisory committee. A copy of the degree plan, signed by all committee members, should be submitted to the graduate advising secretary before the student’s second long term/semester. All course work must be at the 5000 and 6000 levels. Master’s degree students may not receive graduate credit for any undergraduate course by taking the course under a 5000- or 6000-level designation, such as special problems. Undergraduate courses, except those which meet with graduate courses, are considered to be for the correction of deficiencies and cannot be included in the graduate degree plan hours.
4. Before registering for the third long semester, a formal research proposal, outlining objectives to complete the thesis should be submitted to the major professor and advisory committee for approval. The research proposal format must be agreed upon in advance by the student, major professor, and advisory committee during annual committee meetings. An oral defense of the proposal will be conducted within one month of its submission and will consist of an oral presentation of the project followed by an oral defense and may also include an examination of the student’s comprehension of general, graduate-level subject matter at the discretion of the advisory committee. The student is responsible for scheduling rooms for proposal defense.
5. After the approved research proposal is filed with the graduate advising coordinator, the student may register for thesis hours (5950). Once registered for thesis hours, the student must maintain continuous enrollment in at least 3 hours of 5950 during each long term/semester until the thesis is submitted to the graduate school. Failure to maintain continuous enrollment may invalidate previous thesis credit or result in the student being dismissed from the degree program, unless granted an official leave of absence by the dean of the Toulouse Graduate School.
6. Following approval by the major professor, a draft of the completed thesis must be submitted to the committee at least one week prior to the defense of the thesis and final examination.
7. A formal seminar based on the thesis must be presented by the student during the student’s final term/semester. The student must schedule a room for and publicly advertise the seminar and defense. Directly following the seminar, the student defends the thesis in a final oral examination conducted by the major professor and advisory committee.
8. The student is responsible for completing all requirements and meeting all deadlines for graduation within the time specified by the graduate school.
9. A final copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Toulouse Graduate School through the VIREO system.

Option 2, Professional Science Master degree requirements and procedures

Master of Science with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology is a non-thesis Professional Science Master (PSM) degree that prepares students interested in biotechnology for careers in industry and government. The PSM degree option requires 36 hours of graduate credit at the 5000 and 6000 course level beyond the bachelor’s degree, including a 4 to 6-hour internship.

Candidates are required to complete a curriculum composed of 14 hours in core biology/biochemistry/molecular biology-related courses and 6 hours of elective science courses in the same disciplines, and an additional 12 hours of non-science professional development courses selected from a list of courses in business, public administration, communication, philosophy, economics and writing. The course of study is selected with the guidance of a graduate advisory committee. A 4 to 6-hour internship is also required. Satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive exit examination is required of all candidates.