How to Apply to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Graduate Program
The electronic application process is simple and convenient. Below you will find helpful links as well as the link to the electronic application.
To be admitted to graduate status, the basic requirement is a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, with a major appropriate to the proposed graduate program. The GRE can be waived. International students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The final priority deadline to be considered for financial support for Fall 2024 is December 1, 2023. Applications received after January 5th will be considered if space and funding are available.
For admissions and program information please contact:
Brenda Cuevas
Student Services Advisor
(951) 827-7378
brenda.cuevas@ucr.edu
Admission Requirements
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Masters Degree Entrance Requirements
The following courses offered at UCR (3 quarters per year), or their equivalents in content are considered to be prerequisites to enter the program:
- Calculus-one year; Math. 009A-009B-009C
- General Physics-one year; Physics 002A-002B-002C
- Organic Chemistry-one year; Chem. 112A-112B-112C
- Physical Chemistry-one year; Chem. 109 (or Chem. 110A)
- Cell & Mol. Biology, Organismal Biology; Biol. 5A-5B
- Two courses of upper division Biology
- One course in Genetics
The only exceptions to these prerequisites are: Math 009C can be substituted with STAT 100A, and Physical Chemistry can be taken during the first quarter of the program to fulfill the prerequisite.
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PhD Degree Entrance Requirements
The following courses offered at UCR (3 quarters per year), or their equivalents in content are required:
- Calculus-one year; Math. 009A-009B-009C
- General Physics-one year; Physics 002A-002B-002C
- Organic Chemistry-one year; Chem. 12A-12B-12C
- Physical Chemistry-one course; Chem. 109 (or Chem. 110A)
- Cell & Mol. Biology, Organismal Biology; Biol. 5A-5B
- Two courses of upper division Biology
- One course in Genetics
- One year Biochemistry sequence at the upper-division level
- Biochemistry lab techniques course
- Physical Biochemistry course at the upper-division level
Students who do not hold a biochemistry degree may take the biochemistry and physical chemistry prerequisite courses during the first year of graduate study. All other prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the graduate program.
Application Requirements
The Graduate Admissions Committee considers a candidate's entire application file when making admissions decisions. We ask applicants for admission to our graduate program to submit the following information:
- A completed electronic application form
- A statement of purpose
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work (one set) (please upload unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores for the review process. Official documents should not be sent unless requested by the Graduate Admissions office)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General test scores (optional for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle)
- Three letters of recommendation (two of these must be from ladder-rank faculty)
- For non-US citizens whose native language is not English, we require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The electronic application is available at: http://graduate.ucr.edu/grad_admissions.html
- The minimum GPA requirement is a 3.25
- The minimum GRE score is 300 combined (optional for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle)
- The minimum TOEFL score for international applicants is 80
The Admissions Committee reviews applications as soon as they are complete. Applicants are encouraged to complete their application files by the priority deadline to ensure full consideration for admission and for Departmental and University Fellowships.
Send Official Transcripts to:
Graduate Program in Biochemistry
1140 Batchelor Hall
University of California
900 University Avenue
Riverside, CA 92521 USA