Program in Biochemistry and Biophysics School of Science Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Biochemistry and Biophysics Program at Rensselaer

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, one of the top research universities in the country, offers a graduate program in biochemistry and biophysics. The program is offered through a collaboration between the Departments of Biology and Chemistry. Students explore the conversion of compounds in the many complex reactions of life, the mechanisms whereby enzymes catalyze and regulate these reactions, and the functions and structures of the molecular components of living organisms.

The Master of Science in Biochemistry and Biophysics

RPI offers Master of Science (MS) and Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Master of Science students each complete 30 semester-hours of traditional courses with 9 hours of coursework in biophysics and 6 to 9 hours of original research. That research leads to an original thesis.

The MAS program gives students the flexibility to combine classroom experience with cooperative education. Student work experiences may also count toward their required semester hours.

The Doctoral Program in Biochemistry and Biophysics

Doctoral students complete 72 semester-hours of courses in genetic engineering, proteomics, biological spectroscopy, protein folding, and nuclear magnetic resonance. While completing coursework, candidates complete 2 research rotations. Students then work closely with faculty members to produce original research dissertations.

Leading Global Research in Biochemistry and Biophysics

Graduate students have opportunities to work with Rensselaer faculty members to research many areas of biophysics and biochemistry.

Biophysical scientists engage in the exploration of areas as diverse as the biophysics of amyloid- peptide by nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulation, electrical impedance assays of cell motility, photosynthesis, bioenergetics of Na+ transport, myosin mechanics, protein splicing, protein engineering, cellular bioengineering, and biofluid mechanics. A variety of approaches, including molecular modeling, spectroscopic probes, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular biology are being used to study protein structure.

Biochemical researchers study the application of chromatography to large-scale purification of biological macromolecules, biosensors, prebiotic chemistry, biochemical signaling, bioanalytical chemistry, glycobiology, DNA aptamers, enzyme catalysis, and mechanisms of protein folding.

World renowned faculty members

Dr. George Makhatadze, is on the editorial boards of the "Journal of Biological Chemistry," "Biochemica et Biophysica Acta," and "Protein Engineering, Design and Selection." He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Biophysical Society, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, and the Protein Society.

Dr. Wilfredo Colon's work in protein research has brought him many honors and awards, including the 2010 American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences, election as a fellow of the AAAS in 2007, a NSF Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), a NSF faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, and an American Heart Association Scientist Development Award in 1998.

Faculty

World-Class Facilities

Rensselaer's next-generation research facilities include state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers (800 MHz and 600 MHz spectrometers with cryoprobes and a wide-bore 600 MHz capable of imaging and solid-state NMR), state-of-the-art mass spectrometers, a new 10,000 square foot vivarium, electron microscopes (SEM,TEM, and others), laser scanning, confocal, light, fluorescence, atomic force microscopes, and other instruments for photometry and spectroscopy. The lab facilities also house 2 independent holding systems, each with a capacity of 10,350 adult zebrafish.

Admission and Financial Assistance

Interested applicants to the biochemistry biophysics program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute submit GRE general test scores. Subject test scores in chemistry or biology are preferred but not required. Doctoral students must pass qualifying exams as well.

Teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships are available to graduate students in the biochemistry and biophysics program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. These financial aid packages cover full tuition and provide a stipend annually for all BCBP PhD students in good standing.

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Rensselaer Polytechnic University

Founded in 1824 as the nation's first technological university, RPI is today one of the top research universities in the country, regularly placing high in the "US News and World Report" ranking of schools.

Rensselaer alumni have been integral to national and technological development, from the first alumni who helped build the nation by constructing canals, roads, bridges, and skyscrapers, to more recent alumni who are developing innovative research and solutions for the next century.

Located 9 miles from Albany, New York, in the historic Hudson River Valley, RPI maintains a beautiful 200 acre campus with state-of-the-art computer and engineering facilities.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  Master of Science (MS)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees 1
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Optional
• Doctoral Degrees Required and Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied19
• Accepted4
• Acceptance Rate21%
• Enrolled3
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $75
• Application Fee - International $75
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline January 15th January 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$39,600
• Out-of-state tuition *$39,600
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$1,896.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsJanuary 1
• Types of financial support availableResearch Assitantships, Teaching Assistantships, Traineeships, Graduate Assistantships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students6
• Female Percentage67%
• Male Percentage33%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students6
• Part-time PercentageNot Reported
• Full-time PercentageNot Reported
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American0%
• White / Caucasian100%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian0%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown0%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty25
• Full-time Percentage100%
• Part-time Percentage0%
• Female Percentage28%
• Male Percentage72%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchBiopolymers, photosynthesis, cellular bioengineering
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last year$2,500,000