Master of Science - Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), offers a challenging and broad-based graduate program of research and course studies leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. in biochemistry. The aim of the graduate program is to train scientists for critical analysis and solution of biochemical problems at the molecular level.

The diverse research areas represented by the faculty have the common theme of understanding the structures and roles of macromolecules in complex biological systems. Students benefit from exposure to faculty members appointed in both the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR) and the School of Medicine. They have an opportunity for multidisciplinary interactions with graduate students and faculty members in related departments, including the Departments of Physiology and Anatomy, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology and Cell Biology, Chemistry, Biology, and Animal Biotechnology. The academic environment is lively and highly interactive, as represented by a diverse, interdisciplinary seminar program sponsored in conjunction with other related departments.

The program of study includes lecture courses, laboratory rotations, journal club presentations and discussion groups, a qualifying written and oral examination, dissertation research, and one or more semesters of teaching experience. First-year students take a core curriculum and gain research experience by rotating through student-selected research laboratories. Laboratory rotations facilitate the choice of a dissertation adviser. Doctoral and master’s research projects are selected by the student in consultation with a major dissertation adviser and an advisory committee. The requirements for the Ph.D. can generally be completed in four or five years. The program, which is designed to prepare students for careers in research and/or teaching, emphasizes a cooperative, personal working environment between students and members of the faculty. To learn more about how students will be assessed in their academic performance CLICK HERE.

Faculty interests cover a wide range of disciplines in the biomedical sciences and life sciences. Research interests include metagenomics analysis of extreme microbial ecosystems; environmental and biotic stress functional genomics, rubber, and vitamin biosynthesis, and biofuel feedstock production in plants and algae; functional genomics of insect peptide and lipid hormones and pheromones, and lipid metabolism; insect chromatin structure and remodeling; muscle protein enzymology, structure, and signaling; muscle contraction and excitation-contraction coupling; cell motility; insulin signaling pathways and glucose transport; receptor structure and transmembrane signal transduction mechanisms; membrane-cytoskeletal interactions; oxygen toxicity; mammalian lipid metabolism in cancer; receptor-mediated endocytosis; and computational methods in database mining and macromolecular structure.

Each faculty member directs an active research program and is dedicated to training postdoctoral associates and doctoral- and master’s-level graduate students as well as undergraduate students. Faculty members are funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, United States Department of Agriculture, and other extramural sources of about $4 million per year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Research in UNR’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is supported by state-of-the-art approaches to genomics, proteomics, gene transfer, recombinant techniques, bioinformatics, computational biology, electrophysiology, spectroscopy, single-molecule biophysics, protein analytical biochemistry, and mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography, among others. Facilities and technical staff members are available for analysis of samples by electron, confocal, two-photon confocal, single-molecule, and atomic force microscopy; flow cytometry; mass spectrometry; and high-throughput DNA sequence and mRNA and protein expression analysis. In addition, research centers for genomics, monoclonal antibody production, construction of viral vectors, calcium imaging, proteomics analysis, bioinformatics and molecular modeling including more than 1 TB of RAM for computational use through the University Research Grid. Transgenic mouse generation and housing are also available.

A new Knowledge Center that integrates a modern library with extensive digital retrieval of information serves as the primary center for information resources and services in support of teaching and research. The Savitt Medical Library is located in close proximity to the Biochemistry Department. The libraries’ Web-based information delivery system provides access to the libraries’ physical collections (more than 1 million books, 5,000 print journals, 12,000 videos and DVDs, and 3.3 million microforms); course reserves, most of which are available online; full-text articles from a growing number of electronic journals and magazines (currently around 15,000); approximately 13,000 electronic books; more than 200 general and specialized databases; and high-quality Internet resources selected and organized for the UNR community.

Graduate fellowships, assistantships, and research awards are available to students admitted to the Graduate School on a competitive basis. Both fellowships and assistantships carry a stipend and a tuition waiver. Assistantship stipends currently start at $22,000 and vary upward depending upon year of study. Information is available from the Graduate School (http://www.unr.edu/grad/)

Nevada residents pay registration fees only. The registration fee was $246 per credit. Nonresidents pay tuition in addition to registration fees. In 2011–2012, part-time tuition (1–6 credits) is $263 per credit, and full-time tuition (7 credits or more) is $6,645 per semester. Students awarded research fellowships or teaching assistantships are entitled to a partial fee waiver of nonresident tuition rates and pay only $63 per credit. Residents of neighboring Arizona and California counties are eligible for reduced “Good Neighbor” nonresident tuition fees of $482 per credit. Additional fees and student insurance costs also apply.

A room in the residence halls ranges from $4750 to $6610 per academic year, depending on location. Meal plans range from $3539 to $4768. A listing of off-campus housing—including rooms, apartments, and houses—is also available.

There is a $90 nonrefundable graduate program application fee. All GPA and test score information must be included on the application. Interested students should submit two copies of their official undergraduate (and graduate school) transcripts directly from the institutions attended previously to the University of Nevada, Reno. As part of the online application process, applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Dr. John Cushman, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Director
Phone: (775) 784-1918
e-mail: jcushman@unr.edu
Office: 210 Howard Medical Sciences Bldg , UNR Campus
 
1664 North Virginia Street
Mail Stop 330
Reno, Nevada 89557-0014