
Chemical Biology Doctoral Program
Program Details
Degree
Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment
Chemistry and Chemical BiologyAvailable
On campusDevelop the deep expertise you need to drive innovations in cancer biology, drug discovery and development, genetics and more with a Ph.D. in chemical biology.
Stevens’ interdisciplinary chemical biology doctoral program trains students to investigate biological problems, use advanced statistical methods and interpret the kinetic parameters of biological reactions. You’ll also work alongside expert faculty to conduct independent research in areas like cell and molecular biology, physiology, organic chemistry and computational chemistry. Our graduates are well-prepared for careers in academia as well as industry and medicine, and they assume roles such as research scientist, pharmaceutical chemist and materials scientist.
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers dynamic opportunities to explore leading-edge research within a close community of faculty mentors. You'll be able to study under a faculty mentor in the area that you find most exciting:
Cancer Biology
Drug Discovery and Development
Genetics
Cell and Molecular Biology
Physiology
Organic Chemistry
Computational Chemistry
Chemistry and Chemical Biology Research at Stevens
Major advantages of studying chemistry and chemical biology at a premier research institution like Stevens include support for your ideas, great mentors and the best tools for your research. Learn more about research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
The Stevens Advantage
Because Stevens is located near both New York City and the New Jersey research corridor, students have access to valuable partnerships with the many industry leaders, renowned academic institutions and national research centers headquartered in our region.
More Advantages to Our Program
A wide range of biology and chemistry course offerings
Unique courses such as Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques and Biochemical Laboratory Techniques, as well as electives such as Computational Biology
Hands-on involvement in a biology lab, using a variety of analytical techniques and instrumentation, gaining ability in computational skills
Research using real data sets
Collaboration with other universities and adjunct faculty who work in the pharmaceutical industry for companies such as Merck
Opportunities to work closely with experts in cancer biology, drug discovery, genetics and cellular and microbiology
Experience working in or with national research centers
An independent research project spanning several years
Additional Information
Who Should Apply
We welcome applicants with master’s degrees in biology, chemical biology, biological engineering and related sciences that emphasize chemistry or biology (up to 30 credits may be transferred to Stevens’ Ph.D. program). Exceptionally well-qualified applicants holding only a master’s degree in these areas will also be considered but may be admitted provisionally. Contact Graduate Admissions for details.
Program Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, from an accredited institution
Official college transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Resume or curriculum vitae
A statement of purpose
For international students: An excellent TOEFL/IELTS score
A competitive GRE or GMAT score (required for both part-time and full-time applicants)
For information about fellowships and assistantships, contact Graduate Admissions. Contact >
Chemical Biology Doctoral Program Curriculum Overview
Stevens’ multi-disciplinary program in chemical biology blends advanced study in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, life sciences, medicine, and clinical applications. For this PhD program, research is the primary focus of the degree. Students will work on an individual research project, become an expert in the field, write a dissertation and defend the dissertation.By the end of this program, students will be able to:
Important research skills appropriate to their area of research, including the ability to separate, isolate, quantify and identify nucleic acids and proteins using electrophoresis, polymerase chain reactions, spectrophotometry, and Western and Southern Blot procedures; as well as to characterize the structure and function of cells and their subcellular organelles using microscopy, cell culture techniques, staining and antibody probes
The use of various instrumental techniques to study biological molecules of interest and apply chemical methods, such as infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and gas and liquid chromatography to identify biological molecules
Biosafety and lab safety rules, procedures and protocols and how to conduct themselves and their work in the laboratory in an ethically, chemically and biologically safe manner
Degree Requirements
A student enrolled in the master’s program in chemistry or chemical biology who is interested in a doctorate degree must apply formally for admission to the Doctoral program. Eighty-four credits are required for the doctoral degree. The Master’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program but may be included in the 84 credits. The 84 credits should include a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation hours. For the Ph.D. degree, a prior Masters’ degree may be transferred for up to 30 credits. Up to one-third of additional course credits may be transferred with the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School provided they have not been used to obtain another degree.The preliminary requirements for the doctorate are regarded not as ends in themselves, but rather as preparation for the dissertation in which the student demonstrates ability. Continuation in the doctoral program is contingent on passing the qualifying examination and preliminary examination.
Qualifying Examination
All doctoral students in chemical biology must pass a qualifying examination. After successful completion of the qualifying examination, the next milestone is a preliminary examination. The preliminary examination is based on an original research proposal in an area of the student’s own choice, preferably in an area related to the pending dissertation area but with a topic significantly different from his or her thesis. It is submitted in written form and defended orally before the Thesis Committee.
Doctoral Dissertation and Advisory Committee
The final milestone is the doctoral dissertation and defense. Specifics on these degree requirements can be found in the Chemical Biology Program Graduate Student Handbook.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL REQUIREMENTS >
If you have existing graduate credits or experience in this area of study, contact [email protected] to discuss opportunities to include it in the curriculum.
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