Seminar schedules:   Fall 2013 MBS seminar schedule  (Biochemistry seminars are usually Fridays)
                                   Spring 2014 MBS seminar schedule  

Useful stuff:  
    Biochem grad student handbook (PDF) 
    This document (PDF)  describes qualifying exam part 1, normally completed in fall of 2nd year.
    Qualifying exam part 1 result form (PDF)
    This document (PDF)  describes the qualifying exam part 2, normally completed in spring of 2nd year.
    Qualifying exam part 2 result form (PDF)
    Annual committee meeting form (PDF)  for students in candidacy.

Graduate adviser:  David Hoffman:  Welch 4.230C,  dhoffman@mail.utexas.edu
Graduate coordinator:  Jen Gilmore:  NHB 2.632,  jgilmore@austin.utexas.edu
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Biochemistry PhD program, typical course of study:   

Year 1  Fall semester      
CH395G, Biochemistry
CH395J,  Molecular biology
CH192G, seminar (1 hr)
CH297C (2 hrs of research, register as credit/no-credit)
Lab rotations.
You should be registered for 9 hours total.

Year 1  Spring semester      
CH394, Structure/function of proteins & nucleic acids
CH387D, Physical methods of biochemistry
CH192G, seminar (1 hr, register for grade)
CH297C (2 hrs of research, register as credit/no-credit)
Lab rotations.  You may join a lab after completing your 2nd rotation.
You should be registered for 9 hours total.

Year 1  Summer      
CH w397C (3 hrs of research, register as credit/no-credit)
You should be registered for 3 hours total.
There usually are not many graduate courses during summer, but if
you do take one, it is not necessary to register for research hours. The
important thing is to be registered for 3 hours total.

Year 2  Fall semester      
CH398T, Intro to supervised teaching (3 hrs, register as credit/no-credit)
CH192G, seminar (1 hr, register for grade)
Elective course? (eventually you must take a total of 2 electives)
CH190 (Friday seminar, just attend)
and/or some combination of CH197C, CH297C, CH397C (research hours),
so that you are registered for 9 hours total.

Qualifying exam part 1 must be completed during fall semester of 2nd year.
It is described in this qualifying exam part 1 document.  You will receive additional
information regarding the qualifing exam part 1 in CH398T in fall of 2nd year.
Turn this qualifying exam part 1 result form in to the graduate office after your meeting.

Year 2  Spring semester      
CH192G, seminar (1 hr, register as credit/no-credit during your qualifying exam semester)
Elective course? (eventually you must take a total of 2 electives)
CH190 (Friday seminar, just attend)
and/or some combination of CH197C, CH297C, CH397C (research hours),
so that you are registered for 9 hours total.

The qualifying exam should be completed during spring semester of 2nd year.
It is described in this qualifying exam document.  You will receive additional information
regarding the qualifing exam part 1 in CH398T in fall of 2nd year.

Year 2  Summer semester         
CH w397C (3 hrs of research, register as credit/no-credit)
You should be registered for 3 hours total.

Year 3  Fall semester      
CH192G, seminar (1 hr, register for grade)
Elective course? (eventually you must take a total of 2 electives)
CH190 (Friday seminar, just attend)
and/or some combination of CH197C, CH297C, CH397C (research hours),
so that you are registered for 9 hours total.

Year 3  Spring semester      
CH192G, seminar (1 hr, register for grade)
Elective course? (eventually you must take a total of 2 electives)
CH190 (Friday seminar, just attend)
and/or some combination of CH197C, CH297C, CH397C (research hours),
so that you are registered for 9 hours total.

Year 3  Summer         
CH397C (3 hrs of research, register as credit/no-credit)
You should be registered for 3 hours total.

Additional years      
Elective courses? (eventually you must take a total of 2 electives)
CH190 (Friday seminar, just attend)
and/or some combination of CH197C, CH297C, CH397C (research hours),
so that you are registered for 9 hours total.

After being admitted to doctoral candidacy, register for BCH X99R for one semester,
then BCH X99W each semester until you graduate.


Regarding elective courses:
1) Students must take 2 elective courses, in addtion to the 4 core courses.
2) Electives should be graduate level science courses in biochemistry, chemistry, medicinal
      chemistry, microbiology, physics,  or related fields.
3) Upper-level undergraduate science courses in areas outside of biochemistry may be used
      as electives, if appropriate for the student's scientific development, with the approval of
      the graduate adviser.


Apply for doctoral candidacy! 

To officially enter doctoral candidacy, you must have:
1) passed your qualifying exam;
2) completed the four core courses and two elective courses, for six total courses;
3) satisfied the two-semester TA requirement (may be reduced to one semester by the GSC)
4) formed your thesis committee.
5) completed all candidacy-related paperwork (check with our graduate coordinator)

Annual committee meetings:
During your 3rd year, and every year after:
You must meet with your thesis committee, to inform them of your plans and progress. 
Turn this annual committee meeting form in to the graduate office after your meeting.

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