Exploring the UCLA Biological Chemistry Program: A Comprehensive Overview

The UCLA Biological Chemistry program stands as a prominent avenue for graduate students seeking to delve into the intricacies of biochemistry and molecular biology. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the program, encompassing its structure, requirements, research opportunities, and unique features. The program is designed for high caliber student body of more than 1500 students.

Degree Programs and Advising

The Department of Biological Chemistry at UCLA offers both Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. While the department generally encourages students to directly enter the Ph.D. program, the M.S. program serves as an alternative pathway for some.

Master of Science (M.S.) Program

For students pursuing an M.S. degree, departmental graduate advisers provide guidance. The curriculum necessitates completing a total of nine courses (36 units), encompassing core courses and elective options. With the graduate adviser's approval, students may enroll in Biological Chemistry 596, 597, and 598 if relevant to their program.

The program offers two plans: the capstone plan and the thesis plan. The capstone plan is generally preferred, and approval for the thesis plan is granted only in exceptional cases. Regardless of the chosen plan, students must pass a departmental written examination. A written thesis is required in addition to coursework. A thesis committee assists students in planning their thesis research, evaluating the thesis's acceptability, administering a final examination (if necessary), and recommending degree conferral. Students following the capstone plan can typically expect to earn their master's degree after three academic quarters plus a summer, assuming satisfactory progress and no admission deficiencies.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program

Upon entering the program, students are briefed on the departmental Ph.D. program requirements during a meeting with the graduate committee. The head of the thesis laboratory automatically becomes the student’s adviser. A dissertation committee, formed before the end of the second year, serves as an additional advisory body. Students are required to meet with this committee annually until graduation. Members of the departmental graduate committee also offer guidance to students throughout their Ph.D. journey.

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After the first year, students primarily focus on dissertation research. Ph.D. students are expected to complete Biological Chemistry 596, 597, and/or 599 during quarters in which research (596, 599) or study for written or oral examinations (597) is part of their program. Students are required to serve as teaching assistants for a total of two quarters, one in the second year and one in the third year.

Qualifying Examinations and Candidacy

Academic Senate regulations mandate that all doctoral students complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations before advancing to doctoral candidacy. The University Oral Qualifying Examination is restricted to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination, administered by a doctoral committee of four faculty members, assesses students' ability to formulate and defend two short research proposals. These proposals are submitted in written form and defended orally. One proposal should present an original research idea unrelated to the dissertation research, also fulfilling the written examination requirement. The other proposal should outline the proposed dissertation research. The doctoral committee determines the examination outcome and whether reexamination is permitted in case of failure. The examination may be repeated only once. Not required for all students in the program.

Students can normally expect to receive the Ph.D.

Academic Standing and Disqualification

Maintaining good academic standing is crucial for continued enrollment in the program. A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. Academic disqualification may be recommended by the Graduate Student Guidance Committee or a student’s master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation committee. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the Graduate Student Guidance Committee or the master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation committee. students.

Research and Facilities

The UCLA Biological Chemistry program boasts a strong emphasis on research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities. These include the newly completed Molecular Sciences Building and laboratories. The J. D. operates seven mass spectrometers. The department houses a wide array of computers and workstations for research and teaching, along with a dedicated team of more than 40 technical and nontechnical support staff. The program receives substantial funding, fostering a vibrant research environment.

Faculty and Research Areas

The department is home to a distinguished faculty, including professors and research-active emeriti. Research activities span a wide range of areas within biomedical research.

Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Program

The Chemistry-Biology Interface Program is an interdisciplinary program supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) with additional support from UCLA Graduate Division, UCLA Medical School, the Division of UCLA Physical Sciences, the Division of UCLA Life Sciences, and UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This program is available to all PhD students who have completed their first year of their graduate program. Typically, our students come from such diverse majors such as Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Public Health and Physiology. The use of molecular chemistry in the solving of biological problems is a niche which allows scientists to investigate cellular diseases, such as cancer, immune diseases, genetic diseases, epigenetics, microbiota, and more, at the level of molecular manipulation. Previous grantees have used CBI support to fund research on protein synthesis, molecular imaging, and computational methods of analyzing protein structures. The grant's focus is intentionally both broad and directed, as the study of biology at the molecular level is applicable to a range of problems, especially in the healthcare field. Train graduate students in the language and techniques of research at the interface of chemistry and biology. Graduate students in research at the interface of chemistry and biology may apply after their first year and must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. The CBI Program is strongly committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity. All are welcome to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion, disability, veteran status, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

The UCLA General Catalog serves as a comprehensive resource for information about the university, including the Biological Chemistry program. It is published annually in PDF and HTML formats. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, all courses, course descriptions, instructor designations, curricular degree requirements, and fees are subject to change or deletion without notice. Consult this Catalog for the most current, officially approved courses and curricula.Other information about UCLA may be found in materials produced by the schools of Arts and Architecture; Dentistry; Education and Information Studies; Engineering and Applied Science; Law; Management; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Public Affairs; Public Health; and Theater, Film, and Television.

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