Biochemistry students accepted into the graduate program are admitted primarily to pursue a Ph.D. The Ph.D. program at UA prepares high-achieving students for senior research positions in industry or government laboratories, or a career in college-level or university-level teaching and research. A number of interdisciplinary research and training programs are also available under the Biochemistry Ph.D. program including, Biological Chemistry Program, Biological Physics Program, Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biological Physics Program, Applied Math, and the IGERT Program in Comparative Genomics and others.
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in biochemistry is primarily a research degree. The number and selection of courses is tailored to the individual student's needs and interests according to the guidelines available from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. A dissertation based upon original laboratory research is required. All students must pass a series of written examinations, a comprehensive examination and a final oral defense examination.