Biochemistry

MCW’s Biochemistry PhD program provides research opportunities in the areas of cell regulation, cell signaling, gene transcription, and protein function, among others. The Department of Biochemistry is home to both the Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography Facility and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility, which provide high-end graphic visualization and crystallographic analysis, and a means to study biomolecular structures and dynamics, respectively.

Students interested in Biochemistry research can enter the program through the Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Science or the Neuroscience Doctoral Program. All admitted students start in the Fall and progress through a core curriculum while rotating in 3-4 labs during their first full year. A qualifying exam is taken during the second year, with degree requirements fulfilled after students have successfully written and defended their dissertation.

All full-time, degree-seeking PhD students at MCW receive a generous financial aid package, including full tuition remission, a stipend of over $29,000/year, and complimentary health insurance (including vision & dental). Average time to degree completion for all MCW PhD students is 5 ½ years. MCW as an institution has the lowest faculty-to-student ration in the world (0.6 students for every 1 faculty member).