Biochemistry, Certificate in (Post-baccalaureate graduate certificate)
Maceyka, Dr. Michael
Graduate Program Contact
mwmaceyka@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0224
Beginning in the 2009-10 academic year, students will be accepted and matriculate into a centrally coordinated administrative structure; for details please see a full description of the pre-professional basic health sciences certificate in this Bulletin.
The Post-baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Biochemistry, one of six pre-medical basic health sciences programs of the VCU School of Medicine, offers the opportunity for advanced graduate-level training for individuals seeking to enhance their background in biochemistry prior to entry into professional school. The curriculum defines an intensive program of study intended for completion in two successive academic semesters. Admission to the program is competitive. As a guide, applicants should anticipate meeting the minimum expectations of performance and achievement described. However, individual departments should be contacted for detailed information on prerequisites, as there may be additional prerequisites beyond those listed.
Admission requirements
Applicants should have successfully completed undergraduate training and hold a baccalaureate degree. Training in chemistry through completion of course work in organic chemistry is required. Admissions to the program are generally drawn from applicants with an undergraduate grade point average above 2.80 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent), a performance on the Graduate Record Examination above a combined score of 1100 (V+Q), and a performance above a score of 3.5 on the analytical section or a quantitative score on the MCAT examination greater than 22. Applicants holding an undergraduate degree from recognized foreign institutions must display an acceptable level of English proficiency by achieving a score of 250 on the computer-based TOEFL examination or 600 on the written version.
Degree requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 27 credit hours of course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better. The curriculum should be completed in successive full academic terms (typically the fall and spring semester). Completion of the program does not afford a guarantee of admission to professional training programs at VCU. On completion of the program, individuals may elect to seek admission to advanced-degree (M.S., Ph.D.) programs. The curriculum has been developed so as to satisfy didactic requirements of these programs. Individuals interested in exploring the requirements for admission to advanced-degree training should consult with the program directors listed in this bulletin.
Recommended schedule of courses
|
credits |
| Fall | |
| BIOC/MICR 503 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| PHIS 501 Mammalian Physiology | 5 |
| Spring required courses | |
| BIOC/MICR 504 Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| PHIS 604 Cell Physiology | 4 |
| The recommended courses total 19 credit hours. Another eight hours of electives will fulfill the requirement of 27 credit hours. | |
| Appropriate first semester electives | |
| ANAT 611 Histology | 5 |
| BIOC 604 Enzymology | 1-4 |
| BIOC 690 Biochemistry Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS/STAT 543 Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| HGEN 501/BIOL 530 Human Genetics | 3 |
| PHTX 548 Drug Dependence | 3 |
| Second semester electives | |
| BIOC 602 Physical Properties of Macromolecules | 1-4 |
| BIOC 690 Biochemistry Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS/STAT 543 Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| PHTX 535 Introduction to Toxicology | 4 |
| Other suggested electives | |
| ANAT/PHTX 509 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | 4 |
| BIOC 602 Physical Properties of Macromolecules | 3 |
| BIOC 605 Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOC 606 Biochemical Control Processes | 3 |
| MICR 505 Immunobiology | 3 |
| MICR 618 Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis | 3 |
| PHTX 537 Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology | 5 |