Admission Requirements

Thank you for your request for information and application to the graduate program in Biomolecular Structure and Design (BMSD) at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The focus of this interdisciplinary graduate level program is the determination and use of detailed structural information on biologically important molecules. Research goals include crystal and solution structure determination of biomolecular structures, computational studies of structure/function relationships of biomacromolecules, structure prediction, and the structure-based design and synthesis of new molecules.

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required by the Graduate School.
• A Bachelor's degree is required in one of the following or a related area: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, or Biophysics. Applicants must take the general GRE AND advanced GRE in either Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology or Physics.
• The minimal course requirements for successful applicants are:
  • Chemistry: General, Organic, and Physical.
  • Physics: 1 year.
  • Mathematics: 1 year of calculus; multivariable calculus and/or linear algebra are strongly recommended.
  • Biology and/or Biochemistry: 1 year General Biology plus one advanced course in Biology or Biochemistry.
• Undergraduate research experience is strongly recommended.
• International students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 600.
• International students hoping to study with BMSD faculty in the Chemistry Department must have a minimum TSE score of 55.