Course of study for the PhD in Biochemistry

First Year

There are two main elements involved in the first year of graduate study in biochemistry: coursework and lab rotations. Most students take four courses and two seminars each semester of their first year of study. Course selection will depend upon the student’s background and current interests, and where applicable, the interdepartmental program to which he or she belongs. All students are expected to participate in seminars and journal clubs, and to attend the weekly Friday Biochemistry Department Seminars featuring distinguished scientists from both foreign and American institutions.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, students perform 3 laboratory rotations of approximately 8 weeks each. Students chose rotations from faculty laboratories within the Biochemistry Department and within Duke. The rotations serve to expose the students both to new experimental methods and to potential thesis advisors. Once all of their rotations are finished, students choose the labs in which they will perform their thesis research project.

Second Year

The principal events that occur during the second year of graduate study in Biochemistry are thesis committee selection and the initial committee meeting (also called the “pre-prelim”). The thesis committee is chosen in the Fall semester of the second year after consultation between the student, the student’s advisor, and the Director of Graduate Studies. The committee consists of the advisor plus four additional faculty, one of whom should be outside the department, and one is a member of the advising committee. The initial committee meeting takes place before May 1 of the 2nd year. The overall purpose is to acquaint the faculty members with the student and the student’s proposed research project.

All students must serve as teaching assistants for one semester during their time here, and this teaching requirement is generally completed during the second year. Responsibilities typically include leading discussion sections and/or review sessions and grading assignments and exams for the undergraduate Biochemistry course or for graduate level courses. TA positions are assigned by the DGS near the end of the students’ first year.

Third Year

During the third year of graduate study in Biochemistry, students take the Preliminary Examination. Successful completion of a preliminary examination is an official requirement to be deemed a candidate for a Ph.D. The Prelim consists of two parts: a written proposal describing the student’s thesis research and an oral exam administered by the thesis committee. The examination focuses on the student’s thesis project, but may touch on related subjects in the field as well as basic principles. As such, the examination serves to assess the student’s general knowledge as well as the subject of the proposed thesis research.

Fourth Year and Beyond

During the fourth and subsequent years, Biochemistry PhD candidates are primarily responsible for conducting their thesis research. Each year, students write a progress report and convene a meeting with at least three members of the thesis committee to discuss progress. After completion of the thesis research and with the approval of the thesis advisor, a student writes the thesis, presents the thesis research at a departmental seminar and then defends the thesis research orally before the advisory committee. Generally, the thesis defense occurs in the 4th to 6th year in residence.