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PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Admission Requirements

APPLICATION PROCESS

The School of Graduate Studies is dedicated to developing a culture that fosters the recruitment, nurturing and retention of a diverse student body that is reflective of our larger community. Thus, students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our programs. Applications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. 

Applications to our graduate program are submitted through the GradCAS online application system.  Please go here to create an account so you can begin your application. Under ADD PROGRAM use search term “Louisiana Biochemistry” to locate our departmental GradCAS page.  Further details on submission of items can be found on the GradCAS Help Center Page. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

• A baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by a regional accrediting agency.
• Grade point average of at least 2.5 for undergraduate work, and 3.0 grade point average on a  4 point scale for all graduate work for which a grade was given.
• Undergraduate courses should include at least one of year of General Biology or Biological Science, one year of Calculus, two years of Chemistry (including one year of Organic Chemistry), and one year of Physics.
• Satisfactory standing at the most recent educational institution attended.
• We currently do not require the GRE. This applies to all applicants, both domestic and international.  If you wish to provide a GRE score, have the Educational Test Service send your GRE score through CAS using code 4202. See Sending Official GRE Scores
• Copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.  Detailed instructions including address can be found under the Sending Official Transcripts to GradCAS menu.  Unofficial transcripts can also be uploaded to the CAS for preliminary evaluation, but official ones will be required to complete your application.
• To be considered for an interview, the Application Form, three letters of reference with rating forms, unofficial copies of college transcripts and TOEFL (if applicable) score sheets must be uploaded to GradCas. The application deadline (1/31/22) is soft. We will consider all applications completed before April 1st until the incoming class is filled.

***FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS***

In addition to the above items, these must also be completed:

• For foreign transcripts, global credential evaluating must be done. Recommended companies are ECE, WES, and GCE.
• International Students must present scores of 80 or better for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 6.5 or better overall band score on the International English Testing System (IELTS) examination.  To submit your official TOEFL scores to GradCAS, go to http://www.ets.org/toefl and request your scores be sent to GradCAS using code #B886. IELTS scores are to be sent directly from IELTS to the Graduate Studies Office at the mailing address below:
  School of Graduate Studies, LSU Health Shreveport, 1501 Kings Hwy Shreveport, LA 71103

NOTES:

• Applications and their components will only be accepted through the GradCAS system.  Apart from IELTS test score reports, please do not send any required materials or documents by post or email to the department or School of Graduate Studies.

• If your degree will not be conferred until Summer, due to time required for paperwork that can only take place after your degree is conferred, you will need to apply for admission in the application cycle that opens following your graduation. If you apply in the wrong cycle, you would have to re-apply in the correct cycle, which would result in paying the application fee twice.  

Application Forms

To Evaluators: Below is a link to the fillable PDF reference form to be completed by the applicant’s chosen evaluators. Once completed, upload to GradCAS website using link provided in the email sent to you by GradCAS.

→ Reference Form.pdf

To Applicants:  If you forget to include the message requested in GradCAS to be sent to your evaluator, please send this form to them with the instructions above.  We will need this form filled out by each of your evaluators for that section of your application to be complete.

Financial Information

• ♦ Research Fellowship Stipend
  Full-time graduate students within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSU Health Shreveport receive financial support in the form of a Research Fellowship Stipend of $32,000, including tuition waiver, however, you will be responsible for fees. Total living expenses for a single person are estimated at $10,000-$15,000 per year. For more information on Financial Services, click the link.
• ♦ Housing
  The local community has a wide selection of single-unit, duplex and apartment complex rentals. Apartments and condominiums are also available that overlook Cross Lake. Shreveport newspapers (such as the Shreveport Times) carry advertisements for room, apartment, and house rentals.
  Real Estate with Honors is the Official Off-Campus Housing Listing Service Offered by LSU Health Shreveport. LSU Health Shreveport and Real Estate with Honors specializes in helping students, staff and faculty find off-campus housing. This free service is provided to help make your search for off-campus housing easy, fun, and informative.
• ♦ Employment for Spouses
  Job opportunities for spouses of graduate students are available. Within the metropolitan area of Shreveport (population 350,000) there is a wide range of private businesses and governmental agencies that form a rich reservoir of positions for potential employment. Information about positions at LSU Health Shreveport may be obtained from the Career Opportunities site or the Personnel Office, LSU Health Shreveport, P.O. Box 33932, Shreveport, LA 71130. There are many public and private schools in the area providing opportunity for employment of spouses who hold teaching credentials.

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