Location:

Shreveport, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Biomedical Science

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport is devoted to training graduate students to be productive scientists able to design, implement, and describe experiments that answer questions about important biological problems. Our program of study leading to the Ph.D. degree emphasizes research training to prepare the student for a challenging scientific career, directing original independent research activities. The program also stresses development of written and oral communication skills needed to excel in the scientific community. While the program of study is tailored to the individual needs of the student, he or she is required to complete a series of core courses that provides a broad perspective of the field. These courses include: a) Basic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and II; b) Genetics; c) Cell Biology; d) Molecular Signaling; e) Gene Expression; f) Methods in Biomedical Sciences; g) Biochemical and Molecular Methods, Recombinant DNA and Cell Biology; h) Introductory Biostatistics; i) Protein Structure and Function; and j) Scientific Writing. In addition, students may choose from advanced courses in physical biochemistry, cell signaling, post-transcriptional control, transcriptional control, eukaryotic developmental biology, classical and molecular genetics, spectroscopic techniques, and bioinformatics. Interactions and collaborations among faculty members in all departments within the Medical School and several neighboring hospitals are encouraged. Students have an unusually wide selection of thesis directions, as well as the opportunity to become acquainted with research ranging from cellular/biomedical to biochemical/biophysical. All Ph.D. students receive a stipend and a tuition waiver.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

The School of Graduate Studies at LSUHSC-Shreveport has an independent accreditation through the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

Students who wish to enter a program of graduate study in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSUHSC-S are expected to have completed an undergraduate program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 system. Undergraduate course credits should include the following. 1. One year of general biology or biological science 2. One year of calculus 3. Two years of chemistry, including one year of organic chemistry. Physical chemistry is desirable as well 4. One year of physics The Department also requires both the verbal and quantitative parts of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). A composite score of 1000 is normally required. For the submission of the test scores directly to the Department and School of Graduate Studies, please use the following codes: Department code 0202, School code 6356.

International Requirements:

All foreign students must present scores of 550 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. For the submission of the test scores directly to the Department and School of Graduate Studies, please use the following codes: Department code 034, School code 6356.