Structural Biology Master’s Program

Our program, which confers a Master of Science degree, will prepare you to:

• develop research skills and a variety of structural and analytical skills in the study of important biological macromolecules
• acquire experimental skills that are in demand in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries
• expand your educational and practical skills to strengthen your application to professional schools in biomedical sciences
• build your research resume, allowing you to advance your training into doctoral programs

As a student in our structural biology master’s program, you will take courses in basic elements of the biochemistry of proteins and other biological macromolecules, protein production and purification, protein structure determination and structural analysis.

In addition to experimental techniques of protein structure and functional analysis, you will become proficient in bioinformatic and structural informatic tools. You will choose a lab in which to perform experimental or computational research and will complete your degree with an oral thesis defense.

The master’s degree requires 30 credit hours, of which 18 derive from core courses in protein structure and function, principals of protein production and analysis, crystallographic methods of structural biology, and structural pharmacology, as well courses in literature analysis and presentation.

Additional elective coursework may be included to tailor training toward your interests and experience. 

• STB 533 Crystallographic Methods of Structural Biology, 3 credits
• STB 612 Structural Biology Seminar, 1 credit
• STB 700 Dissertation Research, 3 credits

• STB 531 Principles of Protein Production and Analysis, 3 credits*
• STB 534 Dissertation Proposal Preparation, 1 credit
• STB 535 Structural Pharmacology, 3 credits*
• STB 612 Structural Biology Seminar, 1 credit
• STB 700 Dissertation Research, 3 credits

* Either STB531 or STB535 should be taken the first year.

• BCH 503 Biochemical Principles, 4 credits
• STB 612 Structural Biology Seminar, 1 credit
• STB 700 Dissertation Research, 3 credits

• STB 531 Principles of Protein Production and Analysis, 3 credits*
• STB 535 Structural Pharmacology, 3 credits*
• STB 612 Structural Biology Seminar, 1 credit
• STB 700 Dissertation Research, 3 credits

* Select STB 531 or STB 535, that was not taken the first year.