Programs of Study

The Degree Program in Biochemistry offers exceptional training leading to the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees.These programs are designed to develop students for professional careers in biochemical research and teaching. For admission to the doctoral program, students must have thorough preparation in general, analytical, physical, and organic chemistry and in life sciences. Deficiencies in these areas may be corrected by taking appropriate undergraduate courses concurrent with graduate study in biochemistry. Doctoral programs are planned on an individual basis by the student, his or her major professor, and the committee appointed to
Zhijie Jiang - Performing plasmid preparation
Allyn Schoeffler (undergraduate student worker) - Adjusting pH of solutions advise the student. Students begin research rotations in professors' laboratories during the first year and complete three rotations in different laboratories by the end of the spring semester. Course work is integrated with this research experience, and a major professor is chosen in May of the first year. Five to six years are usually required to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. Formal graduate training is supplemented by seminars sponsored by the department and by the Agriculture and Life Science Colloquiums or other closely affiliated departments. In addition, local chapters of various scientific organizations provide special programs and seminars valuable to the training of graduate students.
Noted scientists from both the United States and abroad are featured speakers at these events.

Click here for a list of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology courses offered at LSU.

  Financial Aid and Costs

Teaching and research assistantships are available for graduate training. Twelve-month stipends, awarded on a competitive basis, are currently $13,500. Graduate Fellowships and Board of Regents' Fellowships in the amount of $15,000 and $17,000 per year, respectively, are available to outstanding candidates. The cost of tuition is included in these fellowships. Students are also encouraged to seek fellowships from outside agencies such as the National Science Foundation and other private and public agencies. Stipends for these fellowships vary in amount, but are usually equal to or greater than departmental assistantships.

Please click on the links below for information about curricula in our different degrees... For more information on financial aid, click here.

College of Basic Sciences,
338 Choppin Hall

Louisiana State Univeristy,
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Department of Biological Sciences
202 Life Sciences Building


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