Biological Chemistry Program
Bcp program framework.
The Biological Chemistry Program (BCP) is an NIH supported graduate training program that can be joined as a track through two departments: Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Drug Discovery and Development of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The program is interdisciplinary and students undertake research rotations, courses and seminars involving all three Graduate Programs: Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Drug Discovery and Development. The background for BCP students is expected to include a year of biochemistry and a year of physical chemistry. In our program, students:
Satisfy all home program requirements . It is expected that students will remain in good academic standing in their home department, and will achieve candidacy and a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences through their home department.
Undertake research rotations in at least two programs . Rotations can be with any BCP faculty member and should include at least two research disciplines. BCP faculty, research interests and current rotation opportunities are listed on our web page . Students often choose their thesis advisor by spring break and the fourth rotation can be in this lab even if previously visited. A rotation poster session is held during our Research Forum after each rotation period. Students are expected to devote 10-15 hours per week to the rotation and will receive a grade. Rotations are an excellent hands-on opportunity to learn about a new area of research as well as for learning more about a potential thesis lab. Students are encouraged to use one of their rotations for something completely out of their experience – for example, a synthetic chemist might try cloning and expressing a protein.
Undertake one cross-disciplinary core course and an ethics course . In addition to fulfilling the coursework required for a degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences, BCP students must take at least two of the approved courses listed below, one each from the Biology and Chemistry disciplines. Students must also take an ethics course such as MCB 695e or CHEM 595A/B.
Undertake thesis research with any of the ~35 BCP faculty, regardless of home department. Although most students will have a thesis advisor from their home department, we offer the opportunity for BCP students to work with any of the BCP faculty.
Assemble a thesis committee with at least one member outside of their home program. Generally, this person will be a BCP faculty member with cross-disciplinary interests in the student’s research area. Students are encouraged to use this as a means for initiating cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Attend the weekly BCP Research Forum (also called Journal Club). Students are expected to attend throughout their graduate careers. Generally, students will present rotation posters in the Research Forum during their first year and full research seminars in their third and fifth years of study. In year four, students present a journal article.
Are eligible for BCP fellowships. Applications are solicited each spring; awards are made based on merit, generally within the second and third years.
Currently Approved Courses*
*Last Updated in 2022
Application Procedures
Prospective Students should apply to one of the two participating departments, Chemistry and Biochemistry or Pharmacology and Toxicology , for admission to the University of Arizona. Students accepted into any of the two home departments are welcome to join the Biological Chemistry Program.
Currently Enrolled University of Arizona Graduate Students wishing to join the Biological Chemistry Program should contact Professor M. Leandro Heien.
BCP Faculty
Faculty participating in the program hold appointments in either the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Immunobiology, or the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Back to top of list
BCP Current Students
Inquiries should be addressed to:.
Lori Boyd Graduate Program Coordinator Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry 520-621-4348 [email protected]
Additional contact information:
Dr. M. Leandro Heien Biological Chemistry Program Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry 520-621-6293 [email protected] @arizona.edu
BIOCPHD - Biochemistry
Download as pdf, program type, program description.
IMAGES
VIDEO