Biophysics and Structural Biology
G = 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 studentís
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 physical sciences with undergraduate concentrations in any
related field, such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, engineering,
mathematics, or physics. The course requirements for the Ph.D.
degree are formulated individually for each student to complement
the studentís previous academic work, with the goal of
providing a broad background in the physics and chemistry of biological
processes.
Research for the Ph.D. dissertation is carried out under the personal supervision of a faculty advisor; advisors 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 on the World Wide Web at: www.bio.brandeis.edu/pages/faculty/BioPhysicsFaculty.html.
G = 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 applicantís 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.
S = Faculty Advisory Committee
Jeff Gelles, Chair
(Biochemistry, Center for Complex
Systems)
Carolyn Cohen
(Biology, Rosenstiel Center)
David DeRosier
(Biology, Rosenstiel Center)
Seth Fraden
(Physics, Center for Complex
Systems)
Judith Herzfeld
(Chemistry)
John Lisman
(Biology, Center for Complex
Systems)
Christopher Miller
(Biochemistry, Center for Complex
Systems)
Gregory Petsko
(Biochemistry and Chemistry,
Rosenstiel Center)
Thomas Pochapsky
(Chemistry)
Dagmar Ringe
(Biochemistry and Chemistry, Rosenstiel Center)
G = Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
Program of Study
The graduate program does not
normally admit students to pursue the M.S. degree. In special
cases, however, the M.S. degree may be awarded upon completion
of an approved program of study consisting of at least six graduate-level
courses in biology, physics, biochemistry, 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 M.S. degree, a student must submit a thesis reporting a substantial piece of original research carried out under the supervision of the research advisor.
G = Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Program of Study
The graduate program in biophysics
and structural biology is designed to accomodate students with
previous academic concentrations in a wide range of fields, including
biology, physical chemistry, engineering, and physics. Consequently,
the course requirements for the Ph.D. degree 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 studentís previous academic accomplishments
and scientific interests. Successful completion of the courses
listed in the program of study fulfills the course requirements
for the Ph.D. degree. Ordinarily, the required program of study
consists of seven one-semester courses, of which six are completed
in the studentís first year. The first year courses generally
include the proseminar (BIOP 200b) and two courses of laboratory
rotations (BIOP 300a,b). In addition to the courses listed in
the program of study, the noncredit course CONT 300b (Ethical
Practice in Health-Related Sciences) is required of all first-year
students.
Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement
is three years.
Language Requirement
There is no foreign language
requirement. However, students must demonstrate proficiency in
computer programming as a requirement for the Ph.D. degree.
Financial Support
Students may receive financial
support (tuition and stipend) throughout their participation in
the Ph.D. program. This support is provided by a combination of
University funds, training grants, and faculty research grants.
Teaching
As part of their Ph.D. training,
students are required to participate as teaching assistants for
a total of two semesters.
Qualifying Examinations
To qualify for the Ph.D. degree,
each student must write and defend in oral examinations three
propositions related to research in biophysics or structural biology.
The subject of the second proposition must be outside the immediate
area of the studentís 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 Ph.D. candidate in independent research. The dissertation research must be presented and defended in a Final Oral Examination.
S = Courses of Instruction
G = (200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
BIOP 200b Seminar in Biophysical Research
Introduces students to quantitative approaches to biological problems through critical evaluation of the biophysical literature. Gives students practice in attacking problems in a wide range of areas through the use of physical and mathematical reasoning. Each week, one or two papers suited to quantitative analysis are chosen and prepared by students. Discussion aims at identifying the core ideas of the papers and at transforming these ideas into quantitative, testable predictions. Topics include macromolecular structure and function, spectroscopic methods of structure determination, thermodynamics of ligand-macromolecule interactions, stochastic approaches to electrophysiology, and electrostatics of macromolecular surfaces, among others. In consultation with the instructor, each student develops a research proposition based on independent reading and prepares a research plan in the form of a mock-thesis proposal. Open to graduate students in other sciences with permission of the instructor. Usually offered every year.
Staff
BIOP 300a and b Introduction to Research in Biophysics
Students carry out projects in the research laboratories of faculty members. Projects and faculty are selected from the departments of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and physics. Offered every year.
Staff
L =
Students register for Dissertation
Research in the 400 series with a faculty member in the program
in which they are doing their research.
L =
CONT 300b Ethical Practice in Health-Related Sciences
Required of all first-year graduate students in health-related science programs. Not for credit.
Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of addressing ethical issues and values associated with 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 two public lectures during the course. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Jones
S = Cross-Listed Courses
BCHM 104b
Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules
BCHM 128b
Statistical Biophysics and
Biochemistry
BIBC 105b
Molecular Biology
S = Courses of Related Interest
BCHM 171b
Protein X-ray Crystallography
BCHM 219b
Enzyme Mechanisms
BCHM 224a
Microtubule-based Mechanoenzymes
BCHM 233b
Mechanisms of Transcription
and Transcriptional Regulation
BIOL 102b
Structural Molecular Biology
BIOL 103b
Mechanisms of Cell Functions
BIOL 104a
Structural Approaches to Cell
Biology
CHEM 111a
Computational Chemistry
CHEM 132b
Advanced Organic Chemistry:
Spectroscopy
CHEM 141b
Kinetics
CHEM 229b
Special Topics in Inorganic
Chemistry: Introduction to X-ray Structure Determination
NBIO 140b
Introductory Neuroscience
NBIO 144b
The Neurobiology of Memory
NBIO 145b
Integrative Neuroscience