Finding the Best Biochemistry Graduate Programs

Biochemistry is an exciting field with many career options. However, to enhance job prospects, it is advisable to learn how to find the best biochemistry graduate programs and get at least a master’s degree in biochemistry. If possible, a biochemistry doctorate would also open up more doors, especially in academia. With over 500 programs to choose from, it could take a while to find the best graduate-level biochemistry degree program for your personal needs and qualifications.

U.S. News and World Report compiled a list of the top 17 biochemistry schools in 2010. Not surprisingly, the usual suspects are on that list, with schools like Harvard and Yale populating the top of the list. There is a link to that list in the Resources below.

Note that many degree programs combine biochemistry with related disciplines. This is pretty common of many advanced science programs. For example, Johns Hopkins University, a top school on the biochemistry list, has a graduate program in biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology.

Of course, getting into these top programs is easier said than done. Locking up one of the spots for a prestigious biochemistry graduate degree program typically requires a high GRE or similar admissions-exam score, a competitive GPA, and an appropriate undergraduate course of study. While not always required, it is advisable to choose an undergraduate major of biochemistry, chemistry, or another natural science.

For those who may not have the top credentials to get into the prestigious degree programs, there are still several hundred schools that teach biochemistry at the graduate level. In fact, the GradSchools website lists some 533 programs. You can find contact details for each graduate school on that website. Note, however, that some programs are not necessarily biochemistry graduate programs. For example, the University at Albany has a biomedical sciences graduate degree program that includes biochemistry as one component of biomedical science. Similarly, City of Hope has a biological sciences doctorate degree program.

Resources:

U.S. News and World Report: 2010 Top Colleges and Universities for Biochemistry

GradSchools: Directory of Biochemistry Graduate Degree Programs or Similar Biology or Biomedical Programs


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