Graduate Students
The Department of Biochemistry at Memorial University offers graduate programs leading to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry, as well as M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Food Science. These programs are designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and hands-on research experience in biochemistry, nutrition, and food science.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Admission: March 1
- Winter Admission: July 1
- Spring Admission: November 1
Program Overview
Both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs consist of coursework and thesis components, with a strong focus on research. Students are expected to undertake research-based thesis work, which requires them to secure a supervisor from the Biochemistry Department before admission. We recommend that prospective students contact faculty members whose research aligns with their interests before submitting their application.
Research Specializations
Our faculty's research spans multiple areas of biochemistry, nutrition, and food science, including:
- Metabolic regulation and nutritional biochemistry
- Functional foods and nutraceuticals
- Protein structure and function
- Genomics, transcriptomics, and nucleic acids
- Metabolomics and lipidomics
- Microbiome research
- Lipid and lipoprotein studies
- Immunology and neurochemistry
- Cancer biology and life science pedagogy
Several faculty members also supervise students in interdisciplinary fields such as Scientific Computing and related disciplines.
Ph.D. Program Requirements
Ph.D. candidates are required to take a Comprehensive Examination within the first seven semesters of their program. This examination consists of two parts:
- Preparation of a grant proposal related to the student’s research.
- An oral examination of the proposal.
Failure to pass the Comprehensive Examination may result in termination of the Ph.D. program.
Thesis and Research
Upon successful completion of coursework (and the Comprehensive Examination for Ph.D. candidates), students submit a thesis embodying the results of their original research. All graduate students are expected to actively participate in departmental seminars, fostering a collaborative and intellectual environment.
Program Duration
- M.Sc.: Typically completed in two years.
- Ph.D.: Typically completed in four years.
The graduate programs in Biochemistry provide a rich environment for academic and research excellence, offering students the tools to make significant contributions to the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, and food science.