processes at the molecular level. These disciplines are
currently in a time of explosive growth and development. New knowledge
is rapidly being discovered; new theories are being proposed and tested;
and ever wider application of the principles of biochemistry,
biophysics, and molecular biology to the understanding of other
biological and medical sciences is occurring.
Students benefit from the study of biochemistry and
biophysics in many ways. Productive and fulfilling lifelong careers are
available to graduates of master’s and doctoral degree programs.
Opportunities exist in government, industrial, and academic institutions
that can lead to administrative responsibilities and policy-making
positions. Teaching positions at the undergraduate and graduate levels
are also available.
The study of biochemistry and biophysics provides the
student with a broad understanding of life processes that are also
fundamental to the understanding of many of the disciplines of
biological, agricultural, and medical sciences. It is often an advantage
to enter these fields after the completion of a program of study in
biochemistry or biophysics.
The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the
University of Hawai‘i offers the student broad training in the
fundamentals of both biochemistry and biophysics. Courses are offered at
introductory and advanced levels. Specialty courses that bring the
student to the frontiers of the developing subdisciplines are a part of
the department’s curriculum. Laboratory and research experience is
available either through formal courses or through participation in one
of the many funded research programs of the department.
Interdisciplinary degree programs with molecular biology and
neuroscience are also offered.
Advising
Each incoming student is advised by the department and
chair student adviser. They will assess the student’s academic needs,
establish a curriculum plan, and monitor the student’s progress.
Graduate Study
The MS Plan A (thesis), MS Plan B (non-thesis), and
PhD degrees are offered in both biochemistry and biophysics. The
department requires all applicants to submit results of the GRE General
Test and subject test within any scientific area. The application deadline for admission in the fall
semester is February 1. An oral qualifying examination is
required of all students. This is to be taken before the end of the
second year, after successful completion of a minimum of six 600- or
700-level courses.
Further details of the program may be obtained from
the Prospectus for Graduate Training and Guide for Incoming
PhD or MS Candidates, available from the department office.
Intended candidates must have acquired adequate
preparation in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry; biology;
mathematics; and physics. They should consult initially with the
departmental student advisory committee in planning their curricula and
in choosing appropriate courses offered by other departments. Such
courses can be taken within the departments of microbiology, physiology,
pharmacology, psychology, genetics, zoology, chemistry, mathematics, and
physics. Students may participate in a large number of research programs
offered by the members of the department. In particular, fundamental
research is presently being conducted within the areas of enzyme
structure and function; kinetics and catalytic function of metal
enzymes; mechanism of protein and hormone biosynthesis in both normal
and neoplastic systems; virus and nucleic acid synthesis and structure;
genetic mechanisms of growth and development; recombinant DNA technology
and genetic engineering; regulation at the cellular and tissue level;
neurotransmitter receptor distribution, densities, and binding
affinities as related to brain function and pathology; bioenergetics and
membrane energy conservation systems; and application of biochemical,
chemical, and physical techniques to the elucidation of enzyme and
membrane structure and function, as well as in the study of cancer
tissue.
Candidates for the MS and PhD degrees are required to
participate in the departmental teaching program. Also required is
registration in BIOC 671 seminar (four semesters).
Master’s Degree
Requirements
Candidates for the MS Plan A degree must complete 22
credit hours of course work in addition to 8 credit hours of thesis
research (BIOC or BIOP 700). For the MS Plan B degree, 28 credit hours
of course work are required in addition to 2 credit hours of directed
research (BIOC or BIOP 699).
The thesis committee may require a final oral
examination of the MS Plan A candidates. The oral examination in defense
of the candidate’s thesis follows University regulations.
Doctoral Degree
PhD students are admitted to candidacy upon
satisfactory completion of the qualifying oral examination. The next
required examination is an oral examination dealing with candidate’s
dissertation proposal. This examination is conducted by the members of
the dissertation committee and is based upon the dissertation outline
that describes the actual research work planned for the doctoral degree
and that includes supporting data and bibliography. Upon completion of
this examination, students are permitted to enroll in dissertation
research (BIOC or BIOP 800).
Requirements
Doctoral students are generally required to complete
20 credit hours of biochemistry and/or biophysics courses (including 4
credit hours in seminar) and 4 credit hours in biochemistry and
biophysics laboratory.
Biomedical Sciences