About the Program

The Chemical Biology Program supplements graduate training across disciplines through unique coursework and professional development opportunities. Participants gain knowledge of concepts and methods at the Chemistry-Biology interface and learn about diverse career paths.

Student working in Fehr Lab

At the heart of the Certificate Program in Chemical Biology is an integrated academic curriculum and a seminar series that provides participating students with a working knowledge of the key concepts and methods of the interdisciplinary field of Chemical Biology. Students with strong chemical or biological backgrounds will reap the benefits of collaborative exposure to modern techniques and theories in disciplines across the chemical biology interface.  Students are required to:

  • Follow a defined course sequence designed to provide a working knowledge across the chemical biology interface.  The curriculum includes a flagship course defining the principles and practice of chemical biology.  A fundamental part of the curriculum is a weekly seminar course that allows students to update their research progress, discuss current literature in the field, and prepare for upcoming seminars and events.  This seminar course also provides career training modules, including careers for doctorates outside academia and industry.
  • Organize and participate in the annual NIH Training Grant Symposium. At the heart of this symposium are oral presentations by the students on their research and a lecture by an internationally recognized keynote speaker in a research area at the chemistry biology interface. The students also lead an afternoon interdisciplinary poster session that is open to all students.
  • Organize and participate in hosting speakers for the Chemical Biology seminar series.

The Certificate Program is open to all graduate students at KU.  The training platform will provide students with an integrated educational training program that hones their skills and provides a broad wealth of information for career development. This program extends beyond the standard knowledge and capabilities developed in the independent departmental doctoral programs. Candidates in this program develop a working knowledge of both advanced chemistry and advanced biochemistry/biology, which supplements the more specialized environment within the laboratory of their research mentor.

This graph shows the average time to degree in years plotted against the year entered the University of Kansas. In the year 2006, the average time to degree was six years. In the year 2007 and 2008, the average time to degree was five years. In 2009, the average time to degree was five and a half years. In 2010, the average time to degree was five years. In 2011, the average time to degree was six years. In 2012, the average time to degree was five and three quarters years. In 2013, the average time was 5Y
In this graph, the number of students who graduate each year is plotted against the year entered the University of Kansas. In 2006, all three graduated, representing 100% completion. Two students in 2007, all two graduated, representing 100% completion. One student entering in 2008, one graduated, representing 100% completion. Five students entering in 2009, two graduated, representing 40%.

Trainees & Programs

The University of Kansas is the home of an NIH Funded Training Grant in the Dynamic Aspects of Chemical Biology.  Trainees complete the Certificate Program as defined above, and complete a collaborative rotation or internship.  This collaborative rotation is encouraged to involve research outside of KU, either at another academic institution or with an industrial or governmental collaborator.

NIH Trainees must be US citizens or permanent residents, must be doctoral students beginning either their second year or third year in the KU graduate programs of Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, or Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the time of their appointment, and must be in the laboratory of one of the training grant mentors.  Calls for applications for these trainee appointments are generally held each spring, with appointments that begin in July for up to 2 years.  Underrepresented minority students and students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Any necessary accommodations for students with disabilities are made with the assistance of the office of Student Access Services.

At the heart of the Certificate Program in Chemical Biology is an integrated academic curriculum and a seminar series that provides participating students with a working knowledge of the key concepts and methods of the interdisciplinary field of Chemical Biology.

The Certificate Program is open to all graduate students at KU.  The training platform will provide students with an integrated educational training program that hones their skills and provides a broad wealth of information for career development. This program extends beyond the standard knowledge and capabilities developed in the independent departmental doctoral programs. Candidates in this program develop a working knowledge of both advanced chemistry and advanced biochemistry/biology, which supplements the more specialized environment within the laboratory of their research mentor.