The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology offers an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MS-Biochem), which emphasizes core concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology as applied to biomedical sciences and biotechnology. A basic science program targeted to students interested in pursuing academic, medical, or biotech industry research careers, the MS-Biochem program has incorporated a significant number of "hands on" laboratory component in several courses to develop expertise in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, biotechnology core concepts and skills. Another feature is the well-organized internship program that culminates in students presenting their research at tri-annual poster presentation sessions. The four-credit internships are performed with research mentors in various GUMC laboratories on campus or off campus in government agencies such as NIH and FDA as well as the MD Biotechnology Industry corridor. Graduates from MS-Biochem program seek careers primarily in academic, government, or biotechnology research and most transition to Ph.D., M.D.,D.D.S, J.D. or M.B.A programs.
- Preparation for academic, medical, or biotech industry research careers
- Basic science program with "hands on" laboratory components
- Elective courses from Medical Center and University Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Tumor Biology and Neuroscience
- Internships with research mentors in various GUMC laboratories, government agencies and biotechnology companies
- Flexibility to pursue full-time and part-time studies; Fall and Spring enrollment options
- On a full-time basis, students can complete the requirements in one academic year (9 to 12 months). Part time: 2.5 years.
Apply for the MS-Biochem Program Here
Key Faculty
All program core and elective courses are taught by full time Georgetown University faculty at Georgetown University Medical Center, as well as adjunct faculty.
Curiculum
The standard courses for the one-year program (30 credits) are outlined below. MS-Biochem students are required to complete the core courses (19 credits), which are supplemented by elective courses (11 credits). Elective courses can be chosen to complement the core curriculum and the research internship, and can be selected from the department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology or other GUMC departments, MS-Biotech program, or from the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Pre-approved electives are chosen from areas of concentration including Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Tumor Biology and Neuroscience. If there is a course of particular interest to a student that does not appear on the curriculum elective list, he/she can submit a request to the Program Director to designate the course as an approved elective. The list of required core courses and the pre-approved GUMC electives (credits, semester offered) is shown below.
Required Courses: 19 Credits
