Biochemistry of Health & Disease MS

Major: Biochemistry of Health & Disease
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 36.0 (non-thesis); 48.0 (thesis)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0210
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
19-1021

About the Program

The graduate program in Biochemistry of Health & Disease offers a challenging and broad-based curriculum of research and coursework leading to the MS or PhD degree. The aim of the graduate program is to train the next generation of biomedical scientists in the theory and practice of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, in an environment of experiential learning that fosters new discoveries in biomedical research. Graduate students will be challenged to become independent and critical thinkers, and prepared for the demands of scientific careers in industry, academia and government. The themes of molecular structure, molecular mechanism and molecular regulation are recurrent throughout the diverse research areas represented by the program faculty.

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Medicine's Biochemistry of Health & Disease program website.

Admission Requirements

A minimum of two years of full-time study is required for an MS degree. This program is designed to prepare students for competitive industry jobs and for acceptance into PhD programs.

In addition to the thesis-based MS program, Drexel offers a non-thesis degree program in which students can earn the degree without a research project by taking additional classes and writing a literature review paper.

Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $75 U.S. is required.

Transcripts

Provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu.

  • International Transcript Evaluation (international applicants only)

Transcripts must be evaluated by the following agency for admittance into this program:

World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
Bowling Green Station, PO Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
212.966.6311

Applicants are responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated by by WES. Please have the course-by-course evaluation sent to the mailing address listed below.

Standardized Test Scores

Submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores. Electronic submission is preferred through our school code, 2194.

TOEFL scores are required for international applicants or applicants who earned a degree outside the U.S. IELTS scores may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL scores. Scores will be reviewed based on section scores and total scores.

Essay

Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.

Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Resume

Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.

Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Math Science GPA Form

Complete your Math Science GPA form through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Degree Requirements (Thesis)

Required Courses
BIOC 502SBiochemistry 1st Lab Rotation4.0
BIOC 506SBiochemistry Journal Club *4.0
BIOC 507SBiochemistry Seminar Series *4.0
BIOC 508SExperimental Approaches to Biochemical Problems3.0
BIOC 521SIntroduction to Biochemical Data2.0
BIOC 600SBiochemistry Thesis Research **18.0
IDPT 500SResponsible Conduct of Research2.0
IDPT 502SLearn Early As Professionals I (LEAP I)1.0
IDPT 504SLearn Early and Practice (LEAP II)1.0
IDPT 533SCore Principles in Biochemistry & Cell Biology4.0
MCBG 515STechniques in Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics2.0
Advanced Elective3.0
Select at least one of the following Advanced Electives for a minimum of three credits
Communication for Researchers
Biotechnology Practicum I
Biotechnology Practicum II
Macromolecular Structure & Function
Biochemistry of Drug Discovery & Design
Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cancer Biology
Advanced Cancer Biology
Advanced Cell Biology
Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
Advanced Molecular Virology
Advanced Molecular Biology
Graduate Neuroscience II
Graduate Physiology
Graduate Pharmacology
Drug Discovery and Development I
Total Credits48.0
*

 This 1.0 credit course is taken 4 times.

**

 This 9.0 credit course is taken 3 times.

Approved Electives

Students may opt to take additional approved electives from the list below in consultation with their advisor.

BIOC 503SBiochemistry 2nd Lab Rotation4.0
BIOC 504SBiochemistry 3rd Lab Rotation4.0
IDPT 507STeaching Practicum I1.0-4.0
IDPT 508STeaching Practicum II1.0-4.0
IDPT 509STeaching Practicum III1.0-4.0
IDPT 600SThesis Defense9.0

Degree Requirements (Non-Thesis)

Required Courses
BIOC 506SBiochemistry Journal Club *4.0
BIOC 507SBiochemistry Seminar Series *4.0
BIOC 508SExperimental Approaches to Biochemical Problems3.0
BIOC 521SIntroduction to Biochemical Data2.0
IDPT 500SResponsible Conduct of Research2.0
IDPT 502SLearn Early As Professionals I (LEAP I)1.0
IDPT 504SLearn Early and Practice (LEAP II)1.0
IDPT 533SCore Principles in Biochemistry & Cell Biology4.0
IDPT 850SLiterature Review Non-Thesis MS5.0
MCBG 515STechniques in Molecular & Cell Biology & Genetics2.0
Advanced Electives8.0
Select a minimum of eight credits
Biochemistry 1st Lab Rotation
Communication for Researchers
Biotechnology Practicum I
Biotechnology Practicum II
Macromolecular Structure & Function
Biochemistry of Drug Discovery & Design
Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cancer Biology
Advanced Cancer Biology
Advanced Cell Biology
Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
Advanced Molecular Virology
Advanced Molecular Biology
Graduate Neuroscience II
Graduate Physiology
Graduate Pharmacology
Drug Discovery and Development I
Total Credits36.0
*

This 1.0 credit course is taken 4 times (once per semester).

Approved Electives

Students may opt to take additional approved electives from the list below in consultation with their advisor.

BIOC 502SBiochemistry 1st Lab Rotation4.0
BIOC 503SBiochemistry 2nd Lab Rotation4.0
BIOC 504SBiochemistry 3rd Lab Rotation4.0
BIOC 600SBiochemistry Thesis Research9.0
IDPT 507STeaching Practicum I1.0-4.0
IDPT 508STeaching Practicum II1.0-4.0
IDPT 509STeaching Practicum III1.0-4.0

Sample Plan of Study (Thesis)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOC 502S4.0BIOC 506S1.0
BIOC 506S1.0BIOC 507S1.0
BIOC 507S1.0BIOC 521S2.0
IDPT 502S1.0IDPT 504S1.0
IDPT 533S4.0IDPT 500S2.0
MCBG 515S2.0Advanced Elective3.0
 13 10
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOC 506S1.0BIOC 506S1.0
BIOC 507S1.0BIOC 507S1.0
BIOC 508S3.0BIOC 600S9.0
BIOC 600S9.0 
 14 11
Total Credits 48

Sample Plan of Study (Non-Thesis)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOC 506S1.0BIOC 506S1.0
BIOC 507S1.0BIOC 507S1.0
IDPT 502S1.0BIOC 521S2.0
IDPT 533S4.0IDPT 504S1.0
MCBG 515S2.0IDPT 500S2.0
 Advanced Elective2.0
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BIOC 506S1.0BIOC 506S1.0
BIOC 507S1.0BIOC 507S1.0
BIOC 508S3.0IDPT 850S5.0
Advanced Elective4.0Advanced Elective2.0
 9 9
Total Credits 36

Program Level Outcomes

  • Develop technical skills in modern biochemical science research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental biochemical processes in living systems.
  • Demonstrate ability to define the significance of scientific discovery in health and disease.
  • Evince creative and critical thinking skills by developing and testing novel hypotheses
  • Clearly communicate scientific knowledge and discovery in written and oral formats.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, evaluating and utilizing scientific literature and other resources.
  • Exhibit the highest standards of ethics and scientific integrity.
  • Be prepared for work in industrial, academic, and governmental settings