To be accepted into the Master’s Degree (MS) program, applicants must have an undergraduate major in biochemistry, chemistry, or a related field. The GRE is optional but can aid in admissions. There is no foreign language requirement, although non-native English speakers may need to complete an ESL course (non-credit).

Applicants must have completed yearlong courses in biology, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and physics, as well as a quantitative chemistry course and mathematics (preferably calculus). If physical chemistry has not been previously taken, students must enroll in Physical Chemistry (CHEM 165) during their first year (no credit toward the MS degree).

Candidates should contact a potential advisor and discuss a project before applying, and they must name this advisor in their application.

Currently, the Department has no funds for MS student support, so only those with their own fellowships or self-financing will be accepted.

At least nine (and up to 13) credits of BIOC 391 Master’s Thesis Research are required.  In addition, a written thesis and defense of this thesis must occur according to the guidelines laid out by the Graduate College.

At least six (and up to 9) credits of Independent Literature Research (BIOC 392) and two credits of independent research set up as a special topics course (BIOC 395) with your mentor are required.  In addition, a manuscript in the format of a review article must be submitted to the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee and a seminar on the manuscript must be presented to the Department.

The Phase I exam will occur within three weeks after the Spring semester exams (Year 1). Students must master material from coursework, seminars, and rotations, focusing on integrating first-year content and demonstrating foundational Biochemistry knowledge. The exam format (written, oral, or both) will be determined by the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee and communicated to students beforehand.

Satisfactory performance in this exam, along with good academic standing, is necessary to continue in the program.

MS students will take a Phase II exam at the end of their first summer, presenting and defending their Master’s dissertation plan to a committee chosen by the student and their advisor. The Dissertation Committee consists of three members: the advisor, one department member, and one external member.

The written Phase II exam must include:

• 1 page of hypothesis-driven specific aims
• 1-2 pages of background/significance with references
• 1-2 pages of preliminary work, summarizing design/methods, submitted to the Dissertation Committee at least one week in advance

The presentation should detail the methodology for addressing specific aims. During the meeting, students will be questioned about their research scope, background, technical approach, alternative strategies, controls, and relevant coursework. Successful performance on this exam is also required for program advancement.

UVM Graduate College

Master's Degree RequirementsEmail the Graduate Studies Committe Chair at: robert.kelm@med.uvm.edu

The Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) in Biochemistry aims to equip students with essential biochemical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for careers in research or enhancing their competitiveness for further graduate studies.

Advancement to candidacy requires satisfactory completion of a comprehensive exam, as well as completion of a written thesis and defense of this thesis.

Our AMP in Biochemistry is only available to UVM students who have:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2
• Satisfactory completion of BIOC 205 & BIOC 206 before acceptance into the program
• Completion of the Graduate College Application form
• Agreement of a UVM Biochemistry faculty member to serve as AMP advisor (this faculty member should also write one of the three recommendation letters in support of the student's application to the Graduate College).
• A minimum of 30 credits and successful completion of a comprehensive exam are required for completion of the accelerated master’s degree in biochemistry. It is anticipated that students can complete the degree over two semesters (one year). Students must meet all of the requirements stipulated by the UVM Graduate College for the Master's Degree.

It is anticipated that students will apply for acceptance into the program in the Spring of their Junior year or Fall of their Senior year.

Students may take up to nine credit hours of graduate level coursework before the conferral of the bachelor’s degree. Of these, a maximum of six credit hours may be counted for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The other three credit hours can only count toward the master’s degree provided they are not used in completing the bachelor’s degree. Students would then be expected to complete remaining master’s degree requirements during a fifth year of study. 

 Students must complete the following courses:

• If a physical chemistry course has not been taken previously, a student must take Physical Chemistry (CHEM 165) in their first year (for which they do not receive credit toward the MS degree).
• Successful completion of BIOC 205(3005)/BIOC 206(3006) can substitute for BIOC 301(6001)/BIOC 302(6002) requirement for previous UVM students only. However, these will not count towards the 30 graduate credit requirement.  

Students must complete at least two upper level courses (6 credits) from the following selection of courses:

Remaining credits in the degree program are selected from a diverse list of UVM courses.

Application Instructions

For more information, please email Dr. Robert Kelm, Graduate Studies Committee Chair: robert.kelm@med.uvm.edu