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Department of Biochemistry

General information

Financial Aid

Scholarships that pay tuition and provide a stipend for living expenses ($20,000 in 2005-2006) are awarded on a competitive basis to full-time PhD candidates. Currently, most PhD students are supported by a scholarship. Student loans are available to eligible citizens and permanent residents. Health insurance is provided at no additional cost for all full-time graduate students. Students pursuing the combined MD/PhD degrees may also be eligible for Medical Scientist Training Program scholarships.

Cost of Study

For students who are not supported by a scholarship, the tuition in 2005-06 is $465 per quarter unit plus a registration fee of $393 per quarter. Thesis or dissertation preparation costs are borne by the students.

Living/Housing Costs

Campus housing is available for single students at a cost, per 12-week quarter, of $1036.00 for a single room and $715.00 for double occupancy. There are many apartments available for both single and married students in the nearby communities at an average cost of $600 to $1200 per month. The stipend is adequate to maintain a modest standard of living.

Student Group

Currently, 72 students are enrolled in the PhD program including 18 students working toward the combined MD/PhD, Of these, 9 (1 MD/PhD) are in the anatomy program, 13 (6 MD/PhD) in biochemistry, 25 (2 MD/PhD) in microbiology, 7 in pharmacology, 12 (3 MD/PhD) in physiology, and 6 in the MD/PhD program that have not yet declared an area of specialty. There are 11 students working toward the MS degree at the present time. The size of the graduate program ensures close contact between a student and his or her instructors.

Location

Loma Linda is primarily an academic/health-care community located in Southern California near the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands, 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The mountains, deserts, and the Pacific Ocean are all within two hours’ drive. The mild, dry climate is conducive to outdoor recreation.

The University

Loma Linda University is a coeducational health sciences university supported by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The University, which was founded in 1905, includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Allied Health Professions, and Public Health in addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Religion. The proximity of the University of California campuses at Riverside, Los Angeles, and Irvine; the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena; and the City of Hope in Duarte provides a rich environment for graduate studies. The program encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities.