COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Biochemistry at Texas State University is a research-focused graduate program that requires a total of 30 credit hours and is designed to prepare students for advanced scientific careers in academia, industry, biotechnology, healthcare, and doctoral study. The program combines rigorous coursework with independent thesis research to develop strong theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills in modern biochemical and molecular sciences. Students complete a core set of required courses that build a foundation in advanced biochemistry, including Seminar in Chemistry (taken three times), Physical Biochemistry, Current Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Proteins, Nucleic Acids Chemistry, and Fundamentals of Research. These courses emphasize key principles of molecular structure, biological function, and experimental research design, while also strengthening scientific communication and critical analysis skills. In addition to the core curriculum, students select 6 credit hours of prescribed electives from a wide range of advanced topics in chemistry, biology, and interdisciplinary sciences. Elective options include Medicinal Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Modeling, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Spectroscopy, Inorganic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Enzymology, Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics, Neurobiology, Cancer Biology, and Advanced Genomics and Bioinformatics, along with applied courses in commercialization, entrepreneurship, and technical project management. This flexibility allows students to tailor the program to their specific research interests and career goals in scientific or industrial fields. A major component of the degree is thesis research, beginning with CHEM 5399A and continuing through additional thesis enrollment hours, where students conduct original, faculty-mentored research projects that contribute to the field of biochemistry. This hands-on research experience is central to the program and helps students develop expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific problem-solving. Overall, the program integrates advanced coursework and intensive research training to produce highly skilled biochemists capable of contributing to scientific innovation and professional practice.