Program Overview

Biochemistry and Applied Bioinformatics, MS

Overview

The Biochemistry and Applied Bioinformatics, MS program is a two-year thesis-requiring program designed to improve the academic credentials and scientific research experience of graduates. The program emphasizes student development in six areas: coursework, laboratory skills, bioinformatic analysis, independent thought, presentation skills, and personal growth.

Program Structure

• The program is divided into two years:
  • Year one: Students acquire an academic foundation in biochemistry and bioinformatics.
  • Year two: Students specialize in a sub-field and perform bench or bioinformatic research toward the master’s thesis.

Coursework

• Students take Graduate Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Biostatistics, and Bioinformatics courses with a strong emphasis on research application of biochemical, molecular, and bioinformatic knowledge.
• Bioinformatics training focuses on skills in the application of diverse tools and databases addressing genomics, gene expression, proteomics, metabolism, and protein structure, function, and drug binding.
• Courses are taken along with first-year PhD students at the Tulane School of Medicine.
• Additional courses include:
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar series
  • Biochemistry Workshop
  • Academic Writing and Critique

Research

• In year two, students perform bench or bioinformatic research toward the master’s thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
• Examples of high-level bioinformatics analysis include:
  • Construction of mutational signatures from genome-sequencing data
  • Tumor pathological staging on the basis of gene expression
  • Immunological epitope mapping by analysis of protein conformational stability
  • In-silico drug-screening for protein binding

Requirements

• Students must take 30 credit hours of coursework by the end of the spring semester in year two.
• Students must complete and defend a master’s thesis by the end of the summer in year two.
• Thesis research may commence at the beginning of year one, upon formation of the advisory committee.
• Students are expected to devote full time to research after the spring semester of year one, and until the thesis defense in the summer of year two.

Course List

• Year 1, Fall:
  • Required Courses:
    • GBCH 6010: Graduate Biochemistry (4 credits)
    • BMSP 6070: Advanced Cell Biology (3 credits)
    • GBCH 6020: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar (1 credit)
    • BMSP 7110: Workshop (1 credit)
    • INTD 6010: Responsible Conduct of Research (0 credits)
    • GBCH 7230: Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits)
    • GBCH 7110: Selected Topics (1-4 credits)
• Year 1, Spring:
  • Required Courses:
    • GBCH 7250: Biomedical Statistics and Data Analysis (2 credits)
    • GBCH 7100: Seminar (1 credit)
    • BMSP 7110: Workshop (1 credit)
    • GBCH 7170: Principles of Genetics (4 credits)
    • GBCH 7330: Advanced Bioinformatics (3 credits)
  • Electives:
    • GBCH 7550: Med Biochem Grand Rounds Exter
    • GBCH 6110: Basic Medical Biochemistry
    • GBCH 7120: Special Problems
• Year 2, Fall:
  • Required Courses:
    • GBCH 6020: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar (1 credit)
    • BMSP 7110: Workshop (1 credit)
    • BIMI 6200: Introduction to Data Science for Biomedical Informatics (3 credits)
  • Electives:
    • GBCH 7560: Academic Writing & Critique
    • GBCH 7130: Selected Topics
    • GBCH 7150: Tutorial Topics
• Year 2, Spring:
  • Required Courses:
    • GBCH 6020: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar (1 credit)
    • BMSP 7110: Workshop (1 credit)
  • Electives:
    • GBCH 7120: Special Problems
    • GBCH 7160: Tutorial Topics

Program String and Field of Study

• MDMS_GR, BCAB