Frequently Asked Questions
We generally only admit graduate students for the Fall semester. The Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group admits only those applicants for whom financial support is available. The primary form of financial aid is a combined teaching/research assistantship within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. This is a competitive stipend that includes a full tuition waiver. These funds are fully assigned during the Fall enrollment.
The following are the courses we look for that would give students the background needed to succeed in our graduate program. Undergraduate and any postgraduate credits should include analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, calculus, physics, and a semester of biology including a laboratory. 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.
Yes. All BMB graduate students are initially enrolled in the Ph.D. program unless they are specifically seeking a master's degree. Satisfactory performance in two core biochemistry courses and a preliminary examination is required for continuation in the Ph.D. program. The preliminary examination involves preparing and defending a research proposal on a topic selected by the student in consultation with their supervisory committee. Approximately 30 to 40 hours of course work in addition to original research and dissertation defense are required for earning a Ph.D. degree in the BMB program.
No, you do not need to contact our professors. It is not prohibited, but it is not necessary. When students in our M.S. and Ph.D. programs arrive, they have a chance during their first semester to talk to professors and work in some labs to determine where they are best suited. They may select their research advisors from among 22 faculty members in our interdepartmental BMB Graduate Group, representing different areas of molecular biosciences.
It depends on the number of suitable applicants and the amount of funds available. The total number of admitted students and the number of admitted international students are different every year.
The primary form of financial aid is a combined teaching/research assistantship within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. This is a competitive stipend that includes a full tuition waiver. These funds are fully assigned during the fall enrollment. Additionally, graduate students may be eligible for other forms of financial support. Exceptional applicants may be considered for a supplement to the assistantship of up to $5,000 for the first two years of graduate study. Also, several national fellowships are open to U.S. citizens.
Yes. A combination teaching/research assistantship is offered to all incoming BMB graduate students unless they are admitted with their own funding.
The application deadline for fall admission is December 15. This deadline provides enough time for the international visa process to be completed and for financial support to be arranged.
Unfortunately, no application fee waivers are available. Our budget does not include funds for waivers, and we are not able to give deferments or loans.
In the online application system, you will be asked to enter information about your recommenders. They will be contacted by email with instructions for providing the recommendation. The Recommendation Form for Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group is contained within the system and is preferred. There is also an opportunity for uploading a recommendation letter.
Yes. 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.
No. GRE scores are not required for admission into the BMB graduate program. If general GRE scores are available they may strengthen your application. Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be sent directly from ETS. GRE verbal and quantitative scores at or above the 80th percentile are preferred by the BMB Graduate Group.
GRE scores are not required for admission into the BMB graduate program. GRE verbal and quantitative scores at or above the 80th percentile are preferred by the BMB Graduate Group.
No. Only scores for the GRE general test, if they are provided, will be evaluated.
For international students only:
Yes, if you intend to bring one or more dependents (spouse and/or children) to the U.S. You will need to provide evidence of financial support for each dependent in the amount specified in the Affidavit of Financial Support form.
If you do not intend to bring dependents 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 your cost of living and studying at K-State.
No. We do not participate in the WES program. If your transcript is not in English, we require a certified translation. All documents should be in English or certified translations to English.
If your transcripts are in English, all you need is an unofficial copy of your transcripts (a scanned student copy or secure PDF) that you will upload during the application process. If you are admitted to the BMB graduate program, you will receive instructions for submitting your official transcripts.
Domestic applicants and applicants from this list of English speaking countries do not need to submit an English proficiency score.
Yes, 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.
During the application process you will be asked to enter TOEFL scores if you have them. However, if your native language is not English and TOEFL scores are needed, all official or MyBest scores from the TOEFL must be sent directly from ETS to K-State before your application will be considered complete. Your application will not be reviewed by the committee unless it is complete.
No. If your native language is not English, all official or MyBest scores from the TOEFL must be sent directly from ETS to K-State before your application can be considered complete. Your application will not be reviewed by the committee unless it is complete.
A minimum score of 79 on the iBT is required, although a score above 105 is preferred by the BMB Graduate Group. Please see the K-State Applying for Graduate School webpage for more information about English proficiency requirements.