University Catalog 2023-2024

Biochemistry

Biochemistry as a discipline serves a pivotal role in advancing research in the Life Sciences. Through a combination of coursework, seminars, and original research, you will complete a Graduate degree and acquire the skills needed to become an independent research scientist. Our major research training areas emphasize:

  • Structural and Analytical Biochemistry
  • Molecular and Systems Biology
  • Metabolism and Disease

Degrees earned will be distributed as: "Master of Biochemistry", "Master of Science", and "Doctor of Philosophy" without focus area specifications.

Brief Overview of Programs 

  • The accelerated Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree (ABM) is a 5-year dual degree program intended for undergraduate majors who wish to continue beyond the B.S. degree and receive additional training at the graduate level. Interested students who meet the minimum University GPA requirement are typically accepted into the program at the end of their junior year of undergraduate study. The Master’s degree obtained after 5 years may be a Master’s of Biochemistry (non-thesis) or a Master’s of Science (thesis research) depending upon the selection made by the student. 
  • The Master’s of Biochemistry is a non-thesis alternative to the Master’s of Science degree in Biochemistry for students wishing to emphasize course work rather than thesis research. The Master’s of Biochemistry is a terminal graduate degree and is not appropriate for students intending to pursue a Ph.D. program. 
  • The Master’s of Science is a research degree that prepares students in Biochemistry for Ph.D. studies or provides training for technical employment.
  • The objective of the Ph.D. program is to prepare students for careers as researchers primarily in academic, industrial, or government research environments.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the graduate program in biochemistry should have a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, chemistry or a related physical or biological science, including undergraduate courses in organic chemistry, calculus, physics and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry/molecular biology. Applicants with a strong record of undergraduate research activity or with practical experience in a professional scientific setting are particularly encouraged to apply.  Reporting of GRE scores is strongly encouraged.

ABM Specific Admission Requirements

  • a minimum of seventy-five credit hours in their undergraduate programs, including credits earned from advanced placement, but prior to the completion of their bachelor’s.
  • a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.500 at NC State at the time of admission into the ABM program.
  • (This GPA must be maintained throughout their undergraduate program to remain in the ABM program.)
  • receive a grade of B or better in the double counted graduate-level courses (500 or 700 level) while maintaining a 3.50 GPA.
  • (Courses with a grade of B- or below cannot be double counted between the two degrees.)
  • maintain a 3.50 or better Biochemistry Major GPA.
  • be positioned to complete the BS degree requirements by the end of their fourth year, and formally apply for admission to the Graduate School.
  • one letter of recommendation from the proposed faculty mentor, indicating the qualifications of the student and willingness to serve as the Master’s advisor.

Degrees

Faculty

  • Joe Barycki
  • Dennis Brown
  • Linda Kay Hanley-Bowdoin
  • Eric S. Miller
  • Melanie Simpson
  • Colleen Jennifer Doherty
  • Michael B. Goshe
  • Charles C. Hardin
  • Thomas Makris
  • Flora Meilleur
  • Robert B. Rose
  • Joshua J. Strable
  • Guozhou Xu
  • Ruben Rellan Alvarez
  • Abdulkerim Eroglu
  • Arion Kennedy
  • Xiaojing Liu
  • Ryan Charles Sartor
  • Joshua Strable
  • Jose Trinidad Ascencio-Ibanez
  • Raquel Hernandez
  • David G. Presutti
  • Paul Douglas Swartz
  • Cynthia L. Hemenway
  • Horace R. Horton
  • Joseph Stephan Kahn
  • James Arthur Knopp
  • Earl S. Maxwell
  • William Laubach Miller
  • James W. Moyer
  • Ron Ross Sederoff
  • Harold E. Swaisgood
  • Elizabeth C. Theil
  • Paul L. Wollenzien
  • Jason Locasale
  • Michael Milburn
  • Whitney Stutts
  • Peter Thompson

Courses

BCH 552  Experimental Biochemistry  (3 credit hours)  

An advanced laboratory to give students practical experiences in purification and quantitative characterization of enzymes and nucleic acids. Studies with carbohydrates and membrane lipids. Credit may be applied toward biotechnology minor.

Prerequisite: BCH 452;BCH 453

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 553/BCH 453  Biochemistry of Gene Expression  (3 credit hours)  

Structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins. Synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Gene expression and Regulation. Methodologies of recombinant DNA research. Credit is not allowed for both BCH 453 and BCH 553.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, Corequisite: GN 311, MB 351

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 555/BCH 455  Proteins and Molecular Mechanisms  (3 credit hours)  

Principles of protein structure and function, protein folding, enzymology, ligand binding, protein transport, and metabolic pathways.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, BCH 453/553

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 560  Molecular Biology for Teachers  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to molecular biology for teachers. Emphasis will be on developing basic laboratory skills applicable to middle or high school biology classes. Teachers will develop their own labs during the last week of class. This is an intensive three-week class, five hours per day. Students should have at least one biotechnology course before enrolling in this course. Prior secondary school teaching experience preferred.

Typically offered in Summer only

BCH 571/ANS 571  Regulation of Metabolism  (3 credit hours)  

Study of hormonal, enzymatic and molecular-genetic regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism; emphasis on mammalian species.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, GN 311, a course in physiology, cell biology

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 590  Special Topics in Biochemistry  (1-6 credit hours)  

The study of topics of special interest by small groups of students instructed by members of the faculty.

Prerequisite: BCH 451

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 601  Macromolecular Structure  (1 credit hours)  

Introduction to the current understanding and methods used for the study of structures, thermodynamics and conformational dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids and membranes.

Prerequisite: BCH 453 or BCH 553; a course in physical chemistry highly recommended

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 610  Special Topics  (1-6 credit hours)  

The study of topics of special interest by small groups of students instructed by members of the faculty.

Prerequisite: BCH 451

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 615  Special Topics In Biochemistry  (1-6 credit hours)  

Critical study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in biochemistry and related fields.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in BCH

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 670  Laboratory Rotations  (1 credit hours)  

Performance of highly directed research by biochemistry students in one or more laboratories of student's choice prior to beginning thesis research. Each laboratory experience lasts 5 weeks and given 1 hr. of credit. No more than 4 credits earned inBCH 692.

Prerequisite: BCH 451

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 685  Master's Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 690  Master's Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirement of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 693  Master's Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 695  Master's Thesis Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Thesis research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 696  Summer Thesis Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

BCH 699  Master's Thesis Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 701  Macromolecular Structure  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to the current understanding and methods used for the study of structures, thermodynamics and conformational dynamics of proteins, nucleic acids and membranes.

Prerequisite: BCH 453 or BCH 553; a course in physical chemistry highly recommended

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 703  Macromolecular Synthesis and Regulation  (3 credit hours)  

Biochemistry of DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing and translation. Development of key concepts, techniques and applications relating to mechanisms and regulation of these processes by analysis of primary literature.

Prerequisite: BCH 453 or BCH 553

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 705  Molecular Biology Of the Cell  (3 credit hours)  

Regulation of cellular processes, membrane structure and function, signal transduction, protein trafficking/sorting, secretion, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.

Prerequisite: BCH 701 or BCH 703

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 710  Biological Scanning Electron Microscopy  (2 credit hours)  

On demand. Theory and application of scanning electron microscopy, including specimen preparation, microscope alignment and operation, performance evaluation, interpretation of problems and darkroom technique. (Limited to 8 students with prior approval of instructor.)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing with some biological background

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 751  Biophysical Chemistry  (3 credit hours)  

Fundamental and practical aspects of biological macromolecular structure, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy with emphasis on mechanisms in functionally important structural transformations.

Prerequisite: BCH 451; one sem. of physical chemistry

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 760  Protein Crystallography and Macromolecular Modeling  (3 credit hours)  

Basic principles and practice of protein crystallography and the application of molecular dynamics to evaluate structural models. The computer lab provides hands-on experience in structure determination, refinement, model building, and molecular dynamics using CHARMM.

Prerequisite: BCH 455 or BCH 555 or equivalent

Typically offered in Fall only

BCH 761/GN 761/PB 761  Advanced Molecular Biology Of the Cell  (3 credit hours)  

An advanced graduate class involving integrated approaches to complex biological questions at the molecular level, encompassing biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics. The course will focus on an important, current area of research in eukaryotic biology using the primary scientific literature, and will involve class discussions, oral presentations, and a written research proposal.

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 763  Biochemistry Of Hormone Action  (3 credit hours)  

Study of well-defined models of steroid and protein hormone action via lectures, assigned readings and discussions. Students add breadth to the course and depth to their own understanding by searching the literature and writing or lecturing about a particular hormone of their own choosing.

Prerequisite: BCH 705 or GN 757

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 768/GN 768  Nucleic Acids: Structure and Function  (3 credit hours)  

An advanced treatment involving integrated approaches to biological problems at the molecular level, encompassing biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics. Broad, multidisciplinary approaches to solving research problems in biology and thecritical study of primary scientific literature, the development of a research proposal, oral presentations and class discussions.

Prerequisite: BCH 701 and 703

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 770  Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanisms  (3 credit hours)  

An advanced course in enzyme kinetics and mechanisms with particular emphasis on experimental design and interpretation. The first half of the course covers the derivation and application of single and multisubstrate kinetic equations, inhibition and pre-steady state kinetics. The second half of the course covers fundamental chemical and physical principles of enzyme catalysis and specificity.

Prerequisite: BCH 451 and BCH 455/555 or equivalent.

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 801  Seminar In Biochemistry  (1 credit hours)  

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 810  Special Topics  (1-6 credit hours)  

The study of topics of special interest by small groups of students instructed by members of the faculty.

Prerequisite: BCH 451

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 815  Advanced Special Topics  (1-6 credit hours)  

Critical study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in biochemistry and related fields.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in BCH

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 870  Laboratory Rotations  (1 credit hours)  

Performance of highly directed research by biochemistry students in one or more laboratories of student's choice prior to beginning thesis research. Each laboratory experience lasts 5 weeks and given 1 hr. of credit. No more than 4 credits earned inBCH 692.

Prerequisite: BCH 451

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 885  Doctoral Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

BCH 890  Doctoral Preliminary Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Spring only

BCH 893  Doctoral Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 895  Doctoral Dissertation Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Dissertation research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

BCH 896  Summer Dissertation Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

BCH 899  Doctoral Dissertation Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hours, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer