About Biochemistry
The 2008 Addition to Schweitzer Hall provided new, state-of-the-art research space for Biochemistry. An elegant new bridge connects our laboratories in Schweitzer and Schlundt Annex. Photo courtesy of MU School of Medicine.
Biochemistry at Missouri is noted for interdisciplinary research and effective instruction. The two are interwoven to provide excellence in both. With our very name, we span biology and chemistry. In the same spirit, we span many other boundaries. For instance, we are part of both the School of Medicine and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and we share faculty with four other departments as well as with an interdisciplinary Life Sciences Center.
Our faculty are internationally known researchers and prize-winning teachers, including two members of the National Academy of Sciences and multiple members of disciplinary academies and honorary organizations.
Essentially all facets of contemporary biochemical research are represented in the department. One measure of research success is our sustained growth in competitive, external funding. In the two most recent two years of statistics available from the Association of American Medical Colleges, MU Biochemistry ranked in the top 10 for research expenditures among biochemistry departments at the nation's public medical schools. Several biochemistry research groups help make MU No. 7 in the nation in plant sciences funding and No. 14 overall in funding from the National Science Foundation.
Our popular undergraduate major attracts many talented students, including those interested in graduate, medical and other professional schools and offers extensive research opportunities in the laboratories of internationally known scientists.
Our graduate program admits approximately 10 students annually. It provides a strong foundation in fundamental biochemistry, promotes critical-thinking skills, provides flexibility for specialized training and offers opportunities for thesis work with more than 30 prominent faculty members. All qualifying full-time graduate students are supported by a complete financial package providing stipend, health insurance, tuition and incidental fees. A low cost of living in Columbia stretches the stipend dollars.
Postdoctoral training opportunities are available in departmental research laboratories. Financial support is provided by individual faculty or campus-wide interdisciplinary programs.