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About our Graduate Programs...
The Department of Biochemistry offers both masters and doctoral degrees. Students are admitted for the Fall semester only and admission to our doctoral program is competitive with only three to five students chosen each year. We welcome applicants of exceptional achievement and from diverse backgrounds. Goals Program of Study
Masters Program Students in the masters program complete a research intensive thesis and pursue a rigorous academic program consisting of a sequence of core courses and electives. The core courses include: General Biochemistry I and II (301/302), Rotations (309), Seminar (381) and at least two of these courses: Proteins (351), Nucleic Acids (352), Enzymology (353), and Physical Biochemistry (370). Doctoral Program The first year graduate program is carefully structured to accomplish three distinct but interrelated purposes: 1. Provide a solid technical foundation biochemistry; Courses Laboratory Rotations An additional, though very important function, of the rotation program is the initiation of the first-year students into the community of advanced graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. In this manner, rotations help knit together a community of researchers, and easy the path to the free exchange of advice and sharing of facilities and skills. We believe that the combined exposure to a strong academic program together with a rigorous rotation program and a supportive research community provides a solid foundation for the training of our Ph.D. students. An oral, cumulative exam concludes the first year and allows our students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and practice of general biochemical principles. Subsequent Years Financial Support At present we have no funding to support Masters students. If you need support for this program, we recommend that you investigate the Stafford Loan Program. Support is funded by Federal, State and private sources and is provided in the form of research, teaching, or training grant fellowships. Since foreign students are not eligible for support from Federal funds, resources available to support foreign students are limited. All prospective and first-year students are urged to apply for extramural pre-doctoral fellowships for which they may be eligible. Links are provided below to several of these programs: Application Information We have found that students with a firm foundation in the physical sciences (especially physics and chemistry) do extremely well in our program. For that reason, we urge our students to have the following prerequisites:
Application Deadline: March 1st In addition to the application materials, we also require the following documents:
Please note that the general GRE test is required while the subject test is recommended (specifically the biochemistry or chemistry). If you are an international student and English is not your native language, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam in addition to the GRE. Applications are evaluated by our Admissions Committee beginning in January and offers made until all our slots are filled (see below). Thus, the earlier applications have an advantage. Admission decisions are based on the following criteria:
Selected applicants are invited to visit the campus and participate in faculty interview beginning in late January. The interviews consist of meetings with both Faculty and graduate students, as well as an opportunity to visit the UVM campus. Based on the results of the interviews, offers of admission are made. All applicants will be notified of the Department's decision no later than April 15th. Again, we urge you to complete you application well in advance of the March deadline. Richness through Diversity The University of Vermont does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age in any of its polices, procedures or practices; nor does the University discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This non-discriminating policy covers admission and access to and treatment and employment in University programs and activities, including but not limited to academic admission, financial aid, educational services, and student employment. The University strives for a student population diverse in culture, gender and ethnicity. Inquires regarding the University's equal opportunity polices may be directed to the campus compliance coordinator, (802) 656-4490. |
Research Focus
Dr. Mason received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Boston University in 1979 for structural work on a blue algal protein, phycocyanin, determining the primary structure of the two subunits of phycocyanin and how the blue linear tetrapyrrole was attached to the protein. In 1979, Dr. Mason came to the University of Vermont to work on the iron binding protein, transferrin. She is currently a Research Professor of Biochemistry.
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The faculty is committed to providing each student with the necessary academic and research experience for a successful career in biochemistry and molecular biology. This includes an extensive, yet flexible, curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of each student and ample exposure during the first year to various research areas. Thus, graduates of our program have not only a through knowledge of their own area of research, but a general knowledge of virtually all areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. It is our goal to ensure that all admitted graduate students thrive and succeed in our exciting scientific community. To this end, our program assists and supports graduate students in a variety of ways. For example, faculty and student mentors interact with the incoming students to smooth the transition to graduate school. Also, we work closely with the Graduate College and other University departments to create and maintain a sense of campus community.
rotate in four different laboratories of their choice for an eight week period. Short projects, which are related to both the student's interests and abilities as well the labs interests, are chosen. The goal of the rotations is to introduce students to different areas of research in biochemistry as well as introducing them to a variety of research methods, procedures and approaches. All of the "rotation labs" are potential hosts for thesis research, and the non-binding character of the program allows students to experience a variety of research groups before committing to a laboratory.
Yearly progress reports are made to the thesis committee, the purpose of which is to identify any difficulties or problems and provide help and guidance on the student's research program. The preparation and defense of a NIH-style grant proposal concludes the second year and usually signals the end of didactic class work. A doctoral degree is award upon completion of the required course work and a written thesis with an oral defense. On average our students graduate in five years.
Presently applications are accepted only for entrance into the Fall semester. Further Departmental information is available from the Department at the address provided below or via our 
| © Copyright 2009 All rights reserved. The University of Vermont Department of Biochemistry, C401 Given Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, Phone: (802) 656-2220 Fax: (802) 656-8220 |