Graduate Certificate
Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
What is it?
A unique opportunity to receive official recognition from
Purdue for engaging in significant undergraduate research in biochemistry (or a closely related area) and successfully
completing a meaningful amount of graduate coursework in Biochemistry. The coursework required to attain a Graduate
Certificate is less than a Master’s degree but more than a Bachelor’s. We designed the certificate to be completed during
the last year of a 4-year undergraduate plan of study, and the certificate
would be awarded concurrently with the Bachelor’s degree.
Why was it created?
We created this program as a formal mechanism to recognize
and celebrate students with exceptional aptitude and promise for biochemistry research
careers. Receipt of this certificate is
intended to convey to post-baccalaureate institutions and future employers that
a student has truly gone above and beyond the standard Biochemistry curriculum.
Who may want to
consider this program?
This program is intended for students who love doing
biochemical research and challenging themselves in the classroom. In general, students who have engaged in
significant hands-on research and who are ahead in their plans of study are
more likely to complete the rigorous requirements of this program within the
normal 4-year time frame of a Bachelor’s degree. Although not required, credit from Advanced
Placement exams or dual credit coursework taken in high school is likely to be
beneficial in completing the standard Biochemistry curriculum and the
requirements of the certificate within 4 years.
What does it involve?
Participants will
take 10 credits of graduate coursework during their senior year at Purdue:
Fall: BCHM 60100
(Critical Thinking and Communcation in Biochemistry I)
BCHM 60501 (Macromolecules)
Spring: BCHM 60200 (Critical
Thinking and Communication in Biochemistry II)
BCHM 61000 (Regulation of
Eukaryotic Gene Expression)
These are the required first-year courses for graduate
students in Biochemistry at Purdue. As a result, students who successfully
complete the graduate certificate program and enroll in the PhD program in the
Department of Biochemistry at Purdue will begin the program as a second-year
student. Students may consider
petitioning other post-baccalaureate institutions for transfer credit in their
respective programs, but the policy of accepting such transfer credit will be
determined by the other program and not by the Department of Biochemistry.
When should I apply?
Interested students should apply by March 1 of their
junior year.
Apply now!
What are the Requirements?
3.50 GPA or higher
8 credits of research in biochemistry (or equivalent experience)
Two letters of recommendation (one from undergraduate research advisor and one from another faculty member)
Statement of purpose (how the graduate certificate program fits into your career goals)
Need more information?
Contact biochem-boilers@purdue.edu