[Fields of Study]

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology  

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Laszlo Prokai, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor 
Research and Education Building (RES-466)
817-735-2206
E-mail: Laszlo.Prokai@unthsc.edu

Graduate Faculty:  Y. Awasthi, Basu, Borejdo, A. Clark, Das, Dory, I. Gryczynski, Z. Gryczynski, Lacko, Nair, Prokai, Vishwanatha 

Adjunct Graduate Faculty: S. Awashi, Yadav

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program offers comprehensive graduate training in two major areas: (1) the biochemical and molecular basis of biological processes; and (2) modern fluorescence spectroscopy/microscopy and proteomic analyses and their application to biophysical and biological processes. Both M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of student and faculty interests and require a significant contribution to knowledge through original research. Research training is conducted in modem laboratories and is complemented by informative didactic course work, seminars and journal clubs. The Department of Molecular Biology & Immunology houses a newly established Center for Commercialization of Fluorescence Technologies (http://www.hsc.unt.edu/ccft) and laboratories featuring state-of-the-art mass spectrometric equipment.

A broad range of students is accommodated by diverse faculty research interests that range from clinical studies in human subjects to biophysical analyses of muscle contraction. Within the setting of the health science center, specific research interests of the faculty address a wide range of prominent diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, aging and Alzheimers. Specific projects addressed include the role of oxidative stress and post-translational protein modification in health and disease, disorders of lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis, the use of recombinant lipoproetins in drug delivery and nanoparticle-mediated delivery of genes into cancer cells and aspects of parasite control. Under these broad umbrellas, research topics encompass an interest in cellular/tissue processes, such as signal transduction, tumor invasion, muscle contraction, enzymology, gene expression, angiogenesis, exocytosis, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation, drug resistance, gene delivery, protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation, protein structure and function, protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions, lipoprotein metabolism. Research projects employ state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques that include proteomics, mass spectrometry, advanced fluorescence spectroscopy and optical imaging.

Students with undergraduate science majors in areas such as biology, chemistry and biochemistry that fulfill prerequisite courses of organic and inorganic chemistry will be considered for admission. The graduate curriculum consists of a multidisciplinary core course that surveys the fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and physiology. This is followed by advanced courses that focus on the most recent progress in various aras of biochemistry and molecular biology, and provide the student with a contemporary perspective in areas of greatest current scientific interest.

Most students complete the M.S. requirements in 1-2 years, while Ph.D. requirements are completed within 4-5 years. Detailed policies and procedures are available from the graduate advisor and supplied to the student during orientation.

Degree Plans

The following are typical degree plans for students in the biochemistry and molecular biology discipline. It is advantageous to the student to begin graduate studies in the fall semester. This degree plan may vary depending upon availability of course offerings in a given semester and each student's progress toward thesis and dissertation research.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology students are required to take both fall core courses (BMSC 6301 and BMSC 6302) and 2 of 3 spring core courses (BMSC 6303. BMSC 6304 or BMSC 6305). Credit may be given under some instances associated with student transfer from an equivalent program, but is subject to approval from the Dean.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

Qualifying Examination

Students enrolled in the Doctoral program who have completed the first year of graduate school are required to set a comprehensive examination before they can register for Grant Writing (Advance to Candidacy Qualifying Examination). This examination will generally be taken in the summer semester of the first year. This examination is to ensure that a student possesses a fundamental knowledge of the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology to a level commensurate with a doctoral candidate.

 The comprehensive oral examination will be attended by all Biochemistry & Molecular Biology graduate faculty members and the university member assigned to the student's committee. The Graduate Advisor will serve as the examination coordinator. The examination will take approximately 2 hours.

The student will be expected to have a sound knowledge of major principles of biochemistry and molecular biology taught in the core curriculum; BMSC 6301 (Integrative Biomedical Sciences I: Principles of Biochemistry) and BMSC 6302 (Integrative Biomedical Sciences II: Molecular Cell Biology). As an additional guide, students will be provided a list of topics in which they are to prove proficiency at the end of the Spring semester of the first year of graduate study.

The student will be given the question set 30 minutes prior to the oral examination, from which he/she will prepare answers for 6 questions. The student may answer the questions in any order. Any faculty member can ask questions pertaining to the subject matter of each question during the examination. The questions should be answerable in approximately 15 minutes so that the student can be tested in all of the defined areas.

If necessary, a student will be allowed to retake the oral examination once, but this must be completed before the end of the following semester. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program, although the student will be permitted to pursue a Master of Science degree.

Grant Writing:  BMSC 6310

Students must pass Grant Writing to attain status as a doctoral degree candidate. This examination will generally be taken in the Spring semester of the second year. It is designed to test the student's aptitude to independent research by assessing his/her ability to develop a research hypothesis and design ways to address this hypothesis. The student is required to prepare an NIH-style research grant proposal and to present, discuss and defend this proposal before an examination committee. This examination must be completed within the semester registered.

Specifics:

(i)     Prerequisite:  A student must have passed the discipline qualifying examination to be eligible to enroll in Grant Writing. A student must register for Grant Writing in the first long semester immediately following successful completion of the oral examination and before the completion of 84 SCH.

(ii)   Topic:  The proposal should be based on an original hypothesis. A student may choose an area related to his/her dissertation research, but it must be distinct from the major professor's funded research. The proposal should be developed without the assistance of his/her major professor.

(iii)  Submission of Proposal: The student must submit a completed proposal typed on official NIH forms at least one week prior to the date of the examination. The student must also inform the Graduate Secretary of the date and location of the examination.

(iv)  Examination Procedures:  At the examination, the student will make an oral presentation (30-45 minutes) before the examination committee and other interested faculty and students. Following the oral presentation, the student will proceed to defend his/her proposal before the examination committee. The oral examination will focus on the student's understanding of the topic presented and knowledge of the strategies and techniques employed.

(v)   Assessment:  The written proposal and oral defense will be evaluated on the basis of originality, the ability to synthesize and communicate information, and competence in biochemical principles involved. The examination committee will recommend either "pass" or "no pass" on the basis of the majority opinion of the committee. The examination committee will inform the examination coordinator in writing of the decision and the recommended grade for the student. If the grade is "pass." the student is advanced to candidacy. If the grade is "no pass," the student will be given one additional opportunity to rewrite and/or defend orally. If the second defense is not successful, a "no pass" will be assigned and the student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program. Under these conditions they will be allowed to complete a Master's degree.