Written Examination

At the end of the second year, when most formal coursework requirements have been met, students must take the qualifying examination.

The written qualifying examination is the first part of the qualifying examination and is designed to test the student's basic knowledge of biochemistry under closed-book conditions. The examination normally includes a minimum of ten questions from which the student must answer five questions. The ten questions normally include at least two questions on each of the five major topics included within the Program:

1. Molecular Biology
   Advanced Molecular Biology (MBIC 703), Microbial Biochemistry (MBIC 705), Genetic Biochemistry (CHEM 633), Microbial Molecular Genetics (CHEM 634), Molecular Biology (MMCB 602)
   
   
2. Enzymology and Bioorganic Chemistry
   Proteins and Enzymes (MBIC 702), Advanced Biochemistry (CHEM 632), Physical Organic Chemistry (CHEM 652) Special Topics in Dynamics and Mechanisms-Bioorganic Chemistry (CHEM 670)
   
   
3. Physical Biochemistry
   Physical Biochemistry (MBIC 707), Special Topics in Molecular Structure (CHEM 640), Physical Chemistry of Macromoleculres (CHEM 641), Physical Biochemistry (Chem 642), Special Topics in Dynamics and Mechanisms-Physical Biochemistry (CHEM 670)
   
   
4. Metabolism and Regulation
   Biochemical Regulation (MBIC 704), Proteins and Amino Acids (MBIC 707), Biochemical Endocrinology (DBIC-602), Biochemistry of Lipids (DBIC-613), Biochemistry of Carbohydrates (DBIC 616)
   
   
5. Biochemistry of Structure and Function
   Membrane Biochemistry (MBIC 710), Chemistry of Proteins and Membranes (CHEM 631), Cell Biology (MMCB 701), Muscle Biochemistry (MBIC 714)

Therefore, the answers submitted by the student are to questions covering at least three of these major topics. Answers to no more than five questions can be submitted at the end of the written qualifying examination.

The written qualifying examination is normally held twice per year, whenever necessary, on the last Thursday of January and/or June. The length of the examination is normally four hours.

Any student entering the Program must sit for the written qualifying examination within a period of two years from the date of entry. If a student passes the written qualifying examination, then he or she must take the oral qualifying examination within six months of the date of sitting for the written examination. If a student fails the written examination taken at the end of the second year, he or she must retake the examination at the next date on which the written examination is given (January). If a student fails the written qualifying examination at the second attempt, then he or she will be required to leave the program.

Although students normally sit for the written qualifying examination at the end of the second year within the Program (at which time the student will have completed most required courses), a student may elect to take the written qualifying examination at any time it is offered upon entering the Program. If the student passes, he or she must always take the oral qualifying examination within six months of sitting for the written examination. Passing the written examination early or otherwise does not exempt a student from fulfillment of course requirements.

Upon failure of the written examination taken earlier than at the end of the second year, the student is required to retake the examination at any time it is offered up until the first time it is given after the student has been in the program for two years. In any event, the student is not permitted to sit for the examination on more than two occasions.