Graduate students in biochemistry and chemical biology meld molecular and structural biology with physical, organic and analytical chemistry to understand the molecular basis of life. Research in the Biochemistry and Chemical Biology Division focuses on the structure and function of proteins, membranes, DNA, RNA, large macromolecular complexes and viruses.
Students are a constant source of new hypotheses for mechanisms underlying cellular machines like the ribosome and spliceosome, and for the protein and RNA folding problems. Students tackle these problems using biochemical methods, chemical biosensor technologies, protein and nucleic acid crystallography, multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, surface chemistry, atomic force microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Our work also includes major efforts directed towards understanding the molecular basis of disease. Doctoral students leave the Department broadly trained for leadership roles in academia and industry.
Program Overview
The Chemistry department at UNC has outstanding research programs underway in all areas of modern Chemistry. Chemistry also is a focal point for interdisciplinary research efforts on campus in the biological and materials sciences. The Departmental graduate training program provides a collegial, interdisciplinary, and unifying home for students interested in chemical biology, biochemistry and biotechnology. The overarching goal of the doctoral program is to train students broadly for leadership roles in academia and industry.
General Program of Study
The overall program is designed to be highly flexible to meet the diverse scientific goals of individual students. Requirements designed to prepare students for research are completed by the end of the second year. The Department is proud of its record of graduating the vast majority of its students within five years. Over five years, the general program is:
Year one:
Class work, rotations, teaching, selection of a research mentor.
Year two:
Begin the research experience, pass a written qualifying exam, and write and defend a Prospectus on the topic of your proposed doctoral research project.
Year three:
Become intensively involved in research and present a seminar on your doctoral research project.
By year five:
Publish, write a doctoral dissertation, and present a public seminar of your research results.
Coursework
Course selection is flexible and is developed in consultation with a faculty advisor with the goal of meeting the training needs of the individual student. In general, the Department emphasizes small enrollment didactic and literature-based courses. A starting point in the first year is the following:
Fall:
CHEM 732: Advances in Macromolecular Structure and Function (3)
Students should take one of the following:
CHEM 431: Macromolecular Structure & Function (3)
CBIO 643: Cell Structure and Function I (3)
BIOC 650-650: Biophysics Series (3)
CHEM 731: Seminar in Biological Chemistry (2)
BBSP 901: Seminar in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (2)
BBSP 902: Research Rotation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (2)
Spring:
CHEM 730: Chemical Biology (3)
Elective courses selected from, but not limited to, the following (2-4 hrs):
CHEM 734: Biomolecular NMR (1-3)
CHEM 735: Macromolecular Interactions (1)
CHEM 736: Macromolecular Crystallography (2)
BIOC 664: Macromolecular Spectroscopy (1)
BIOC 700: Current Topics in RNA Structure (2)
CHEM 732: Seminar in Biological Chemistry (2)
BBSP 901: Seminar in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (2)
BBSP 902: Research Rotation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (2)
Qualifying Exams
The written qualifying exam is held in September of year two, with a second opportunity in January if needed. The exam is taken on a single day. The broad outline and background literature for these questions are provided approximately one month in advance. There are three questions, one Current Topic, plus two Advanced Topics in Chemical Biology and Biochemistry.
The oral and written Prospectus exam is completed by the end of the fourth semester and consists of a written dissertation proposal and an oral examination based on the proposal. The written proposal is 12 pages (not including the cover page and references) and is given to the committee two weeks prior to the formal exam. The student defends the proposal for his/her thesis committee of five professors. For the oral examination, students prepare a formal presentation of approximately 30 minutes. The committee asks questions to determine the feasibility of the proposed work, the general knowledge of the student in chemical biology and biochemistry, and whether the student has the skills and literature knowledge to accomplish the dissertation work in a timely fashion.