Biochemistry and Biophysics - UNC School of Medicine
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Degree Requirements
The department's requirements have a foundation in the requirements of the Graduate School of the University of North Carolina, which state that you must:
- be in residence at least 4 semesters
- carry a course load of at least 9 credits per semester
- successfully complete comprehensive qualifying exams to become a PhD candidate
- successfully defend your thesis before an examining committee
To these minimal and very general requirements, the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics has added additional requirements to ensure the proper foundation for a doctoral degree:
Requirement | For a Doctoral Degree - Ph.D. |
BIOC 701 | Required course |
BIOC 702 & 703 | Required courses |
BIOC 712 & 715 | Required courses |
BIOC 505 BIOC 601 BIOC 631/632 BIOC 643/644 BIOC 655 BIOC 650 - 678 | 6 credit hours required |
BIOC 993/994 | A minimum of 3-credit hours per semester |
Electives | 12 credit hours required and must include at least three 3-credit hour courses. Electives can be in any biomedical department. |
Total Credit Hours | Fulfillment of all the above course requirements |
Residence Credit | 4 full semesters required |
Initial Oral Defense | Required by June 15 of Year 2 |
Written Exam | Required in October of Year 3 |
Final Thesis Defense | Required at conclusion of graduate work |
For more information on Ph.D. Degree Requirements and Admission to Candidacy, please refer to this section of the Graduate School Handbook.
Master's Degree
Our program does not offer direct admissions for a Master's degree, but this degree option can be made available to students under rare circumstances.