Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) – Professional Master's
- John R. Hawse, IV, Ph.D., Program Director
- Matthew J. Schellenberg, Ph.D., Associate Program Director
Professional Master’s Degree
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) Track offers a customizable course load and training environment for Professional Master’s study that can be designed to emphasize one of three areas of broad specialty: Biochemistry and Structural Biology (BSB), Cell Biology and Genetics (CBG) or Cancer Biology (CB). The requirements for the Professional Master’s Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conform to the general requirements of the MCGSBS.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Specialties:
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Cancer Biology
Application
Candidates must complete a Professional Master’s Degree Application form. This form is available on the MCGSBS Master’s Programs intranet site. Supporting documents include a program fee agreement form, transcripts from previous colleges and two letters of recommendation - one preferred from your direct supervisor/manager.
Eligibility
Enrollment is restricted to current Mayo employees/appointees and is available at all three sites: Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota, as well as the Mayo Clinic Health System. Visiting clinicians, research trainees, and research collaborators are not eligible.
Applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, must have taken appropriate undergraduate science courses to adequately prepare for the Master’s program, must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average that demonstrates a record of academic excellence.
Time Requirement
Time to completion can vary by student (three to five years), but all requirements for the Master’s degree must be completed within five years. The five-year period begins on the start date of the term the student is appointed to. If the student's Mayo employment ends prior to completion of the program, the MCGSBS appointment will also end.
Registration Requirement
At least 75% of the coursework for the Master’s degree must be completed in MCGSBS.
Minimum Credit Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits, including MGS 6000 Responsible Conduct of Research. Didactic credits may vary by track - refer to specific program requirements for details.
Transfer Credits
A total of 9 didactic credits may be transferred into the Professional Master’s Program. For more details, see the Credit Conversion, Transfer, Waiver and Substitution Policy on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Course Requirements
A total of 45 credits with maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA are required for graduation.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGS Courses | ||
| MGS 6000 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| MGS 5031 | Fundamental Principles in Genome Dynamics, Biochemistry, and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BMB 5100 | Chemical Principles of Biopolymer Systems (Advanced Chemical Principles of Biological Syst) | 2 |
| BMB 5150 | Molecular Cell Biology (Advanced Molecular Cell Biology) | 2 |
| MGS 6400 | Master's Scholarly Review Article (Final Project) | 6 |
| Journal Clubs | ||
| BMB 6500 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club (1 cr./yr) 1 | 1 |
| Advanced Coursework | ||
| Any course approved for graduate credit regardless of the “track” it is offered by. | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
Two credits maximum. Students must attend all years after completing the written qualifying exam and present at least once. The second journal club credit may be obtained by taking and participating in any other JC offered by the graduate school should a different JC be more aligned with the student’s area of interest.
Program milestones are included in the Academic Progress and Graduation Requirements for Masters Programs Policy. See below for BMB-specific program highlights and instruction.
Students are expected to make continuous and successful academic and professional progress toward graduation requirements for the M.S. degree. The concept of satisfactory progress mandates monitoring of a students’ academic and professional performance through items including, but not limited to:
- Complete Degree Planning Tool (DPT)
- Project Advisor Selection
- Pass Written Qualifying Exam
- Masters Capstone Project
- Meet any program specific competencies as defined by track
Full details are included in the Academic Progress and Graduation Requirements for Masters Programs Policy on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Minimum Grade Requirements
Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in didactic course work. Students whose performance falls below this standard in a given quarter will be placed on academic probation, as described in the Deficiencies and Unsatisfactory Progress Policy and Warning, Probation, Dismissal and Appeal Policy outlined on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Degree Planning Tool
The use of a Degree Planning Tool (DPT) is required and allows students to list the course work to fulfill degree requirements, including transfer credits. The DPT must be completed during the first academic year and should be updated as courses are completed throughout the training program. A final completed DPT must be submitted to the school when a tentative defense date has been determined to be cleared to graduate.
Project Advisor Selection
Project Advisor is selected with counsel from Program Director, done at any time during training but no later than end of year. A list of Faculty with Privileges can be found on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Written Qualifying Examination
The written qualifying examination will test the breadth of biomedical knowledge, and analytic and critical reasoning skills. The content and format of the examination is determined by each track. The written qualifying examination must be passed before the Master’s final project review may be scheduled.
For more details, see the Written Qualifying Exam Procedure on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Masters Capstone Project
This is required for all students in the Professional Master’s Program and serves as the final academic milestone of the degree. Students will complete a scholarly project that demonstrates mastery of their chosen track and area of interest. Projects may take the form of a critical review article, original research manuscript, case study, or another approved scholarly product suitable for presentation or publication. Students must register for MGS 6400 Masters Capstone Project during their final quarter in the program. The course may only be taken once for credit. Students must register with the Program Director for their track as the course director.
Suggested Sequence
This is a suggested sequence based on a summer term start. Individual course plans may vary depending on true start date, program, employment/personal commitments, and research interests. Be sure to confirm you have met your requirements using your degree planning tool. Course offerings may vary slightly. Current course offerings are posted in the course catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Summer Term | ||
| MGS 6000 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Fall Term | ||
| BMB 5100 | Chemical Principles of Biopolymer Systems | 2 |
| MGS 5031 | Fundamental Principles in Genome Dynamics, Biochemistry, and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Winter Term | ||
| BMB 5150 | Molecular Cell Biology | 2 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Spring Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Summer Term | ||
| BMB 6500 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Fall Term | ||
| BMB 6500 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Winter Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Spring Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year - Summer Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year - Fall Term | ||
| BMB 6500 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year - Winter Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Third Year - Spring Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Year - Summer Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Year - Fall Term | ||
| BMB 6500 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Year - Winter Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Year - Spring Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth Year - Summer Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth Year - Fall Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth Year - Winter Term | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth Year - Spring Term | ||