Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

Faculty of the Division of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BBS) are engaged in advanced study of the biological chemistry of cellular metabolites, enzymatic catalysis, the structure and function of biological macromolecules, especially nucleic acids and proteins, the supramolecular organization of complex cellular assemblies, including the transcription and DNA replication proteins, biological membranes, and, regulation of biological processes such as chromosomal folding, protein secretion and intracellular signaling. These problems are being investigated in systems that range from bacteria and bacteriophage to yeast to human cells and their viruses. Faculty of this division also participate in interdepartmental programs in structural biology, chemical biology, microbiology and toxicology. Facilities include those for protein-sequence analysis, peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis, access to the synchrotron at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab for X-ray crystallography, and NMR spectrometry.

The following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:

A bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution,
A grade point average of B or better (3.0),
If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 on a 9-point scale (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these), and
Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.
The admission committee employs a holistic approach to assessing the merits of each application. This means that we review all facets of an application in order to determine a candidate's overall potential and fit with our program. In particular, the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement are very important aspects of your application. Strong undergraduate preparation for this program would include at least one year each of: calculus, physics, and general biology, two to three semesters of chemistry (general, organic and physical chemistry), additional advanced coursework in such areas as biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and/or neurobiology, experience of working in a research laboratory while an undergraduate . Letters of recommendation should be from persons who have supervised your research or academic work and who can evaluate your intellectual ability, creativity, leadership potential and promise for productive scholarship.