Structural and Computational Biology & Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program
The Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics program at BCM is not a typical graduate program. The program brings together students and experts from a variety of computational, physical, chemical, mathematical, engineering and statistical backgrounds to solve problems that can ultimately increase basic biomedical knowledge and improve human health.
Stimulating Environment
Established in 1992, the SCBMB program has faciliated innovative collaborations--both within areas of the Baylor College of Medicine and with other leading institution--that have resulted in one of the most diverse and stimulating learning environments in the United States. A flexible curriculum allows students from different backgrounds to take a variety of courses that puts everyone on a more level playing field. The program emphasizes strong research built upon a foundation of basic courses in biochemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology, molecular biophysics and physiology.
Innovative Collaborations
Due to the inter-departmental and inter-institutional nature of the SCBMB program, students and researchers are not limited to working entirely within one university. This provides students with the opportunity to take classes and do research in a wider array of specialities than could be provided from a single institution.
At no additional cost to the student, affiliated institutions providing courses are:
- Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030
- The University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX 77204
- Rice University, 6100 Main Houston, TX, 77005
- The University of Texas - MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030
- The University of Texas - Houston Health Science Center, 7000 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, TX, 77030
Research spans from basic to translational
Currently, the program includes full-time faculty from basic and clinical science departments at the institutions listed above. The research activities of the faculty include development of structural and computational techniques, protein design and engineering, biophysical chemistry of macromolecules, synthetic biology, chemical biology, membrane biophysics, systems biology, genome informatics, epigenomics, proteomics, computational neuroscience, medical informatics, biostatistics of basic and clinical data and drug design.
You may find that choosing your research project among all the options is one of the most difficult aspects of the program. Fortunately, you'll have the chance to explore and experience the various research opportunities in at least three laboratories before you have to make this important decision during the first year of study.