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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Learn about the PhD Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at IU School of Medicine. Students enroll in the Biomedical Gateway (IBMG) Program.

PhD Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology doctorate degree program at IU School of Medicine typically takes five years to complete. The program includes two years of course work and three years of conducting original research full-time, culminating in a PhD thesis. This program prepares graduates for careers in academic research and teaching or in the business and industry side of bioscience.

Students enroll in the Indiana University School of Medicine Biomedical Gateway (IBMG) Program and share a common first-year curriculum with other PhD students. At the end of the first year, students select a mentor and elective courses related to their chosen course of scientific study. Step-by-step application instructions are available on the Indiana Biomedical Gateway Program application page.

Apply

Successful applicants to the IU School of Medicine Biochemistry and Molecular Biology doctorate degree program have a strong background in the sciences with lab experience and grades of B or better in science-related coursework. The priority application deadline for fall semester admission to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology PhD program is December 1st.  The final deadline is January 1st.

Program Requirements

  • A minimum of 30 credit hours of didactic coursework
  • A minimum of 45 credit hours of research (B855)
  • A minimum of 90 credit hours consisting of required and elective courses
  • A scholarly thesis based on approved original research with oversight from a faculty mentor. Potential research topics include structural biology, signal transduction, drug development, regulation of gene expression, cancer biology and metabolic disorders.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA and a B- or better in all PhD coursework