| Major Code: 8032 |
Degree Awarded: Master of Science |
| Delivery Mode(s): Classroom |
Admission Status: Graduate |
| Admission Materials: Résumé/CV, transcripts |
Location(s): Main campus - Melbourne |
An applicant for admission to the master’s program in biochemistry should have an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, chemistry or in a related area. Typically, a minimum of eight semester courses should have been taken in four of the five major fields of chemistry: organic, analytical, physical, inorganic and biochemistry (required); as well as appropriate courses in mathematics and physics. Applicants may be admitted on a provisional basis with the requirement that undergraduate deficiencies be corrected during the first year of study. Proficiency examinations are administered to all new students the week before the beginning of classes as an aid in planning each program of study.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented under Graduate Academic Information . GRE scores from both the general and subject tests in chemistry are recommended but not required. All admitted students are enrolled in the nonthesis option by default. See below for information about transferring to the thesis option. Admission to this program is available for the fall and spring semesters only.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Biochemistry is based on the successful completion of either a thesis option requiring a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours following an approved program plan, thesis and oral examination of the thesis or a nonthesis option requiring 30 graduate credit hours following an approved program plan that includes 9 credit hours of biochemistry core courses (BIO) and 21 credit hours of relevant biochemistry-related coursework (BIO or CHM). Students in either option must register for BIO 5991 Biological Research Seminar (0 credits) each semester. All courses selected for inclusion in the program plan are subject to approval by the program advisor. Students will be placed in the nonthesis option by default.
Nonthesis Option (default option)
The nonthesis option requires advisor guidance for the program plan and selection of 21 credit hours, successful completion of 9 credit hours of biochemistry core courses and a final program examination.
Thesis Option (department head approval required)
A thesis based on research conducted in residence at Florida Tech under the direction of a member of the BES or CCE department graduate faculty is required. During the first academic semester, the student selects a faculty member to serve as the research advisor. During the same semester and with the advisor’s assistance, the student selects an advisory committee, prepares a program plan, and defines a research topic. The advisory committee comprises at least three members: two from the department (including the advisor) and one from another academic unit. This option requires completing 30 credit hours, including formal coursework, a graduate thesis seminar presentation and an oral defense of a thesis. The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality. Students may register for up to 3 credit hours of thesis each semester. Each student must present a departmental thesis seminar before graduation.
Summary of Program Requirements – Thesis Option
Formal coursework credit hours: 18-24
Biological research credit hours: 0-6
Thesis credit hours: 6
