Applying to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program

The program seeks applicants who have an interest in continued study in biochemistry and intensive research in some area of biochemistry. A sufficient background in biology and a strong background in chemistry are the most important requirements for admittance into the program.

Typically, applicants to the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BMB) Graduate Group are considered only for fall enrollment.

Please visit the Graduate School webpage for more information about graduate programs at K-State, and the Applying for Graduate School webpage for more information about the application and admissions process.

Application checklist

The following is a summary of the items that must be submitted in order to be considered for admission. All application materials should be submitted online.

Graduate online application
An application must be completed and submitted before December 15 for enrollment in the following fall semester. There is an application fee of $75 for international students or $65 for domestic students.

Official university transcripts
Note: An unofficial copy of your transcripts (a scanned student copy or secure PDF) will be requested with the application. IF you are admitted to the program you will receive instructions for submitting your official transcripts.

Applicants are expected to have a four-year Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (a three-year Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree is also acceptable), appropriate and adequate course work, and an average of B or better in the junior and senior years (or an excellent postgraduate record). Whereas the majority of incoming students have degrees in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry, some have degrees in pharmacology, genetics, food science, physics, or microbiology. Undergraduate and postgraduate credits should include one year each of general chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus, and biology, and one-half year of analytical chemistry. Physical chemistry may be completed as part of an M.S. or Ph.D. program, but all other deficiencies must be completed without graduate credit. No foreign language is required. Provisional admissions may occur when there are limited deficiencies in undergraduate course work that can be substituted by course work taken at Kansas State University or when there is uncertainty in the evaluation of transcripts, as may occur in the case of international students; the removal of the provisional status occurs upon the accumulation of 9 credit hours of course work with a B or better average.

Applicant's one-page statement of academic objectives
General instructions are given within the application system.

Three letters of recommendation from professors or employers
The people you list as recommenders will be sent instructions for providing their recommendation. The Recommendation Form for the BMB Graduate Group is contained within the system and is preferred. There is also an opportunity for uploading a recommendation letter.

Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional)
GRE scores may be sent to Kansas State University directly from ETS. GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores at or above the 80th percentile are preferred by the BMB Graduate Group.

Official TOEFL scores (only for international students whose native language is not English)
Official or MyBest scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) should be sent to Kansas State University directly from ETS. A minimum score of 79 on the iBT is required, although a score above 105 is preferred by the BMB Graduate Group.

Scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be submitted in place of TOEFL scores. A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required, although a score of at least 7 is preferred by the BMB Graduate Group. A minimum score of 7 in the speak portion of the IELTS is required. A scanned copy of the original score sheet should be uploaded with your application.

Please see the K-State Applying for Graduate School webpage for more information about English proficiency requirements.

Affidavit of financial support (international students only)
An affidavit of financial support demonstrates that an applicant has adequate resources to cover the costs of pursuing academic training at Kansas State University. To estimate costs, see the International Student Estimated Cost of Attendance webpage.

• If you do not intend to bring dependents (spouse, children) to the U.S. and do not have personal funds available, you can select the option “I do not have funds” on the financial support page of the application. The stipend provided by the BMB graduate program will cover the cost of living and studying at K-State.
• If you intend to bring one or more dependents (spouse, children) to the U.S., personal funds should be indicated in an Affidavit of Financial Support.