The Application and Admission Process

This Program is no longer accepting applications for enrollment in Fall of 2005. We are sorry for the inconvenience and request that you consider application to the Department of Biochemistry, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Pharmacology or any of the other training programs at Duke.

For those who have already applied, we will be moving your application to the most appropriate department at no expense to you. We will be contacting you soon to confirm this transfer, which is aimed at providing you the maximal opportunity for admission and working with the faculty of your choice.

Overview

The University Program in Biological Chemistry (BC) at Duke University is designed for students seeking to consider the biological sciences at the molecular level. There is no required undergraduate degree, but students typically have strong undergraduate backgrounds in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology or Pharmacology. Typically, matriculants have taken at least two semesters of organic chemistry and one semester of physical chemistry. For exceptional students with strong interests in the Program, remedial curricula can be devised.

Application Process

Although students are occasionally drawn from the applicant pools of the participating program departments, students with an interest in the Program are strongly encouraged to apply directly by designating Biological Chemistry as the "Department" on the application form. Online graduate school application materials are available at the Graduate School website, and paper application materials are available from the Program office on request. To avoid delay in the processing of your application, students are strongly encouraged to read and follow carefully all of the information at the Graduate School web site.

The Duke Graduate School requires the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and the Program strongly recommends an advanced subject test in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry. Letters of recommendation from scientists who have worked with the applicant are also essential. The deadline for receipt of a completed application in the Duke Graduate School is Dec. 31. Supporting materials should reach the Graduate School as soon as possible to ensure full consideration of the application. Admission decisions are made early in the Spring. Candidates are also usually asked to visit the Duke campus at our expense. All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their applications by March 15, and the Program requests that candidates respond with their final decision concerning graduate school attendance by April 15.

Most trainees are supported at Duke through a National Institutes of Health training grant. It is a requirement that students supported on the training grant be either citizens or permanent residents (“green card” holders) of the United States. Limited support is available for exceptionally qualified foreign students, and we encourage application from all outstanding students.

After Admission

The Program aims to initiate new student training, particularly through laboratory rotations, as soon as possible. We therefore strongly advise students to enter Duke for the Summer term before Fall matriculation to perform their first rotation. Students are supported during this time on their usual training grant stipend. Entry during the summer session ensures completion of rotations and affiliation during the fall semester. Students who chose to enter the University in the Fall semester will be required to be in residence at Duke near the middle of August in order to attend the Ethics retreat at the Beaufort Marine Laboratory. A list of important dates is available from the online calendar.