Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BS/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MS(Therapeutics Discovery)(non-thesis)

Completion of the program will provide an ability to:
1) understand the therapy development pathway, from discovery to development and through clinical trials to approval and commercialization
2) contribute to a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment with shared goals
3) develop a career development plan
4) reach a project end point efficiently and quickly, utilizing the organization’s priorities as guidance for decision making
5) establish industry connections

This program provides training relevant to therapeutics discovery in an industrial setting, including coursework in professional development and project management. The program is designed to reduce the onboarding timeframe for students entering the workforce, providing a competitive advantage over those lacking this training. The state of Georgia boasts a wide range of industries operating in this space, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, Aruna Bio, GeoVax Labs, and Metaclips Therapeutics. We also have formed partnerships with Astra Zeneca, ThermoFisher Scientific, and Remix Therapeutics, to name a few. We anticipate completion of the

Admission to Program

Student should apply for the B.S./M.S. T.D. program before the deadline during the spring semester of the third year. To be considered for this dual degree pathway, the student must meet the following requirements:
1) Have an overall UGA GPA of 3.0.
2) Students must have a minimum of 63 credit hours completed towards their B.S. degree.
3) Submit a Statement of Purpose indicating their career interests and professional goals.
4) Provide three letters of reference. One of the letters must be from a faculty member indicating that the faculty member will serve or has served as the student’s undergraduate research mentor for the BCMB 4960R/4965R/4970R classes.

During their senior year:
5) Students will be required to work in the faculty mentor's laboratory to gain experience and potentially begin their research program.
6) Students can, but are not required to, participate in the UGACURO program as part of their research experience.
7) Student will apply for Admission to the Graduate Program.

What Students Need to Apply:
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose (career interest and professional goals)
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Letter of Support from Faculty Member Mentor

Curriculum

Graduate-level courses that may be used to satisfy undergraduate and graduate program requirements.

STAT 6315*

Additional requirements that are unique to this Double Dawgs program:

Students must earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better for each course.

Required Courses (22 hours)
BCMB 6XXX, Organizational Leadership (3 hours) – NEW
BCMB 6XXX, Project Management (3 hours) – NEW
BCMB 7XXX, Spring Break Visit to Biotechs in Boston, (1 hour) – NEW
BCMB 7210, Internship, (3 hours) – NEW
BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8113, Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology (1a) (2 hours)
BCMB(CBIO)(GENE) 8114, Advanced Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology (1b) (2 hours)
CBIO 6XXX, Foundations in Drug Discovery (4 hours) – NEW
PHAR 6010, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Device Industries (4 hours)

Elective Courses (8 hours)
Choose a minimum of 8 hours from either of the following groups.

Track One: Small Molecule Drug Discovery
CBIO 6500, Medical Parasitology (3 hours)
CHEM 6120, Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action
CHEM 6615, Soft Materials (3 hours)
CHEM 8390, Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (1-4 hours)
PMCY 6300, Medicinal Chemistry (3 hours)
PMCY 6410E, Robotic Technology in Drug Discovery and Toxicology (2 hours)

Track Two: Biologics
BCMB(BCHE) 6030L, Bioprocess Technology (4 hours)
CBIO(MIBO)(IDIS) 6100-6100D, Immunology (4 hours)
PMCY 6600, Biological Therapeutics (3 hours)
STAT 6315, Statistical Methods for Researchers (4 hours)

Admission to Graduate Program

Interested students should apply to the BCMB M.S. T.D. program in the spring semester of their senior year. Apply at the UGA graduate school.

Program Advisor

  • Name: Adam Barb
  • Email: abarb@uga.edu
  • Phone: 21706
  • Address: B122 Davison

Undergraduate Major Information

  • Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S.
  • Department/College: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Advising Contact

  • Name: Michael Adams
  • Email: adamsm@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-2060
  • Address: B126B Davison Life Sciences

Graduate Major Information

  • Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology M.S.
  • Department/College: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Advising Contact

  • Name: Belen Cassera
  • Email: maria.cassera@uga.edu
  • Phone: 706-542-5192
  • Address: A220A Davison Life Sciences