Biophysics and Structural Biology

University Bulletin

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Subject Areas

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A graduate program
Biophysics and Structural Biology

Courses of Study:
Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy

Objectives

Graduate Program in Biophysics and Structural Biology

The interdepartmental Graduate Program in Biophysics and Structural Biology, leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, is designed to develop the student's capacity for independent research. The program is focused on the application of the physical sciences to important problems in molecular and cellular biology. It offers opportunities for study and research in a variety of fields, including protein crystallography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular microscopy, biophysical chemistry, neuroscience, sensory transduction, and chemo-mechanical energy transduction. Applicants are expected to have strong backgrounds in the physical sciences with undergraduate majors in any related field, such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics. The course requirements for the PhD are formulated individually for each student to complement the student's previous academic work with the goal of providing a broad background in the physics and chemistry of biological processes.

Research for the PhD dissertation is carried out under the personal supervision of a faculty adviser; advisers can be from any department within the School of Science. Prospective applicants should obtain the complete list of faculty research interests and recent publications from the program or view this information at: www.bio.brandeis.edu/biophysics.

How to Be Admitted to the Graduate Program

The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School are given in an earlier section of this Bulletin. Applications should include, in addition to letters of reference, a personal statement describing the reasons for the applicant's interest in the field and previous research experience, if any. Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination and are encouraged to visit Brandeis for interviews, if possible.

Faculty Advisory Committee

Dorothee Kern, Chair
(Biochemistry)

Jeff Gelles
(Biochemistry)

Michael Hagan
(Physics)

Jané Kondev
(Physics)

Christopher Miller (on leave 2008-2009)
(Biochemistry)

Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science

Program of Study
This graduate program does not normally admit students to pursue the MS degree. In special cases, however, the MS degree may be awarded upon completion of an approved program of study consisting of at least six graduate-level courses in biology, physics, biochemistry, quantitative biology, or chemistry with a grade of B- or better. Generally, the courses include BIOP 200b, BIOP 300a, and BIOP 300b.

Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement is one year.

Language Requirement
There is no language requirement.

Thesis
To qualify for the MS, a student must submit a thesis reporting a substantial piece of original research carried out under the supervision of a research adviser or advisers.

Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Program of Study
The PhD program in biophysics and structural biology is designed to accommodate students with previous academic majors in a wide range of fields, including biology, biochemistry, physical chemistry, engineering, and physics. Consequently, the course requirements for the PhD are tailored to the needs of the particular student. In consultation with each entering student, the program chair formulates a program of study for the student based on the student's previous academic accomplishments and scientific interests. Successful completion of the courses listed in the program of study fulfills the course requirements for the PhD. The required program of study consists of seven one-semester courses, of which six are completed in the student's first year. The first-year courses include BIOP 200b and two courses of laboratory rotations (BIOP 300a,b). In addition to the seven courses, the noncredit course CONT 300b (Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences) is required of all first-year students. All students beyond the first year must register for BIOP 401d. Students in their third and higher years of study will have yearly progress meetings with a faculty committee of three for the purpose of maintaining a satisfactory trajectory toward completion of the thesis defense.

Teaching Requirement
As part of their PhD training, students are required to assist with the teaching of two one-semester courses.

Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement is three years.

Language Requirement
There is no language requirement.

Financial Support
Students may receive financial support (tuition and stipend) throughout their participation in the PhD program. This support is provided by a combination of university funds, training grants, and faculty research grants.

Qualifying Examinations
To qualify for the PhD degree, each student must write and defend in oral examinations two propositions related to research in biophysics or structural biology. The subject of the second proposition must be outside the immediate area of the student's dissertation research.

Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation must report the results of an original scientific investigation into an approved subject and must demonstrate the competence of the PhD candidate in independent research. The dissertation research must be presented and defended in a final oral examination.

Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biophysics and Structural Biology with Specialization in Quantitative Biology

Program of Study
Students wishing to obtain this specialization must first gain approval of the graduate program chair or quantitative biology liaison. This should be done as early as possible; ideally, during the first year of graduate studies. In order to receive the PhD in biophysics and structural biology with additional specialization in quantitative biology, candidates must complete the requirements for the PhD described above and the course requirements for the quantitative biology specialization that are described in the quantitative biology section of this Bulletin.

Any alteration to the quantitative biology course requirements must be approved by the graduate program chair and by the quantitative biology program faculty advisory committee.

Courses of Instruction

(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students

BIOP 200b Reading in Macromolecular Structure-Function Analysis
Required for first-year biochemistry and biophysics and structural biology graduate students.
Introduces students to chemical and physical approaches to biological problems through critical evaluation of the original literature. Students analyze scientific papers on a wide range of topics in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics. Discussion focuses on understanding of the scientific motivation for and experimental design of the studies. Particular emphasis is placed on making an independent determination of whether the author's conclusions are well justified by the experimental results. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Petsko

BIOP 300a Introduction to Research in Biophysics
Students must consult with the program chair prior to enrolling in these courses.
Students carry out four nine-week projects in the research laboratories of biological and physical science faculty members.
Staff

BIOP 300b Introduction to Research in Biophysics
A continuation of BIOP 300a.
Staff

BIOP 401d Biophysical Research Problems
Independent research for the MS or PhD degrees. All graduate students beyond the first year must register for this course. Usually offered every semester.
Staff

Required First-Year Graduate Health-Related Science Programs Course

CONT 300b Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences
Required of all first-year graduate students in health-related science programs. Not for credit.
Ethics is an essential aspect of scientific research. This course, taught by university faculty from several graduate disciplines, covers major ethical issues germane to the broader scientific enterprise, including areas or applications from a number of fields of study. Lectures and relevant case studies are complemented by public lectures during the course. Usually offered every year.
Staff