Course of Study
The First Year
In their first year, students take Graduate Biochemistry, Structural Biology and Spectroscopy, and Computation Methods in Biochemistry. One of the most important courses the students take is the research oriented Experimental Biochemistry and Structural Biology, where students complete rotations in which they participate in ongoing research in teh laboratories of 3 different faculty members. From these rotations, each graduate student will select a laboratory in which to conduct thesis research and fulfill requirements for the PhD degree.
Teaching
In the second semester of the first year and first semester of the second year, graduate students develop teaching skills by serving as Teaching Assistants for an undergraduate biology or biochemistry course. Performance is guided by the faculty instructor for the course. This experience provides an opportunity to develop crucial presentation skills and refine teaching techniques that students will need in their future careers.
The Second Year and Beyond
During the second year, students complete their formal course requirements, including 2 elective courses they find to be of most interest. Graduate course offerings can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
Advancing to Candidacy
Students are required to submit a thesis proposal and defend it orally at the end of their second year. Students create an advisory committee durin this process and continue to meet with this committee annually to discus their research progress toward the completion of their degree.
Dissertation
The student works full-time on thesis research that culminates in the submission an defense of a written PhD dissertation. Students typically defend within 6 years of starting the program.
Department Seminars and Journal Clubs
Students attend weekly departmental seminars in biochemistry and structural biology. In addition, students attend BSB Journal Club each spring.
Beginning in the third year, students present their research progress to other students and faculty. The Graduate Student Seminars are an opportunity to gain communication skills and learn about ongoing research from other students and labs.
Faculty from outside of Stony Brook University are invited for weekly seminars and syposia. This presents opportunities to meet visiting scientists who are leaders in their fields.
