Rotation System
Experience three research labs before choosing a research group.

Small Student Group
Recent classes have averaged 12 students

Housing
First year guaranteed in graduate apartments within walking distance

Neighborhood
Lively, safe, near beaches, hiking, walk to upscale shops and entertainment.

Financial
Stipend plus all other fees and insurance are paid by the program.

Courses
All students take an entry course based on current research in biochemistry. Limited subsequent requirements with options in the Medical School and in Chemistry.

Affiliations
The Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology (BMSB) Program is within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and associated with the Molecular Biology Institute (MBI).

• Research is our main focus in the BMSB Program
• Many research projects are done in collaboration with our colleagues in Medical School and Basic Science Departments.
• Two connected Biochemistry research buildings include faculty in Chemistry and the Medical School.

• Approximately 12 students join our program each year
• With 22 faculty members it’s easy for students to get into the lab of their choice
• Small, elite program means students learn from their classmates
• Strong support services; we are always available for advice

• First-year students work in three labs and then choose a permanent lab
• Students have the opportunity to work with senior researchers in several different labs
• A paid summer rotation is available to students before their first year

• Research-based entry course with only your classmates
• Minimal courses with options for more in other departments such as Medicine or Chemistry
• Written qualifying exam on research as part of a research writing course
• Oral qualifying exam in second year (no cumes)
• Three quarters of teaching biochemistry discussions or labs, minimum

• One of the most extensive seminar menus in the world
• Several weekly seminar series on-site; Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology and several Medical School departments
• Annual symposia; Sigman Symposium and Seaborg Symposium
• Series from Jonsson Cancer Center, California NanoSystems Institute and other research centers

• Guaranteed stipend plus all fees and insurance paid
• Guaranteed for all years in graduate school
• Most students attend scientific conferences for free

• In at least their first year, students are guaranteed housing in nearby Westwood Village
• Walk to coffee shops, cafes, 10 movie theatres and all shopping
• UCLA BruinCard fare discounts for local buses - no car needed

• Safe, upscale, lively
• Brentwood and Santa Monica to the west
• Beverly Hills, and then West Hollywood to the east
• Bel-Air north and Westwood south
• Google map of UCLA neighborhood

• Five miles to the beach, three miles to the mountains, three hours to ski resorts
• Concerts, arts, sports and fitness; the best of both UCLA and Los Angeles.
  UCLA Happenings, UCLA Recreation, Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly
• Nightlife: Hollywood and Santa Monica