Why IPiB?
Why Choose IPiB at UW-Madison?
IPiB represents a fusion of two outstanding graduate programs, those of the Biochemistry and Biomolecular Chemistry departments. The Biochemistry department graduate program, which has been ranked among the TOP TEN graduate programs in the biological sciences in the United States, has been further diversified by a merger with the Biomolecular Chemistry program. The merger also enhances the training mission of the program in basic biochemical sciences, anchored in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, by extending it into biomedical research areas through Biomolecular Chemistry’s current affiliation with the University of Wisconsin Medical School. The combined faculty of IPiB consist of world-leading researchers who have made important contributions to unlocking the secrets of plant flowering; protein structure, function and folding; membrane trafficking and transport; vitamin and hormone/growth factor action and signal transduction mechanisms; lipid synthesis and metabolism; RNA splicing, transport and degradation; DNA replication, recombination and transcription; cell division, differentiation and death; viral replication and transcription; animal and plant development and physiology.
Research
The IPiB program provides research opportunities in 50 laboratories whose research spans the full range of contemporary topics in biochemical, chemical and molecular sciences. Currently the IPiB program has nearly 200 graduate students conducting research in its laboratories. Most of the IPiB laboratories also have students from other training programs including Cell & Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biophysics, and Neurosciences. The UW campus has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental graduate training programs. Interaction and collaboration with students, faculty, and staff of other programs and departments are widespread, which represents a key feature for broad training on the UW campus.
Ph.D. Training and Facilities
The Ph.D. program in IPiB is designed to prepare students for successful careers in research, teaching, and science communication. The Program offers a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their skills in these areas of biochemical science. Graduate training in the program stresses an attitude of inquiry and problem-solving, as well as the development of communication skills essential for research and teaching. IPiB and the University offer outstanding facilities for graduate studies. Since 1998, the Biochemistry department is housed in a $36 million, state-of-the-art research building specifically designed to accommodate modern laboratories and to provide gathering places where researchers can meet to exchange ideas (image above right). In a new biotechnology initiative by the State of Wisconsin, an even larger adjacent $85 million research facility will begin construction by 2007, which will house researchers from Biochemistry and Biomolecular Chemistry. These buildings on Henry Mall are close to facilities that house Bacteriology/Medical Microbiology, Genetics, Oncology, Biotechnology, Medical Sciences and Zoology.
University
The University of Wisconsin-Madison itself ranks in the top ten among public universities for receipt of federal research funds, and has been listed among the top educational institutions in published studies since the early 1900s. The campus community of biological and biochemical scientists is one of the largest and most vital in the world. It has close ties with a rapidly expanding biotechnology industry in the city of Madison. Please also see Why UW-Madison?
The City
Madison itself has the distinction of being annually ranked as one of the best U.S. cities in which to live. Built on an isthmus, Madison is surrounded by Lakes Mendota and Monona. In addition to being home to one of the top universities in the U.S., our capital city can boast a low cost-of-living, low crime rate, and a superior public school system.
Students will find reasonably priced housing, a superb public transportation system (grad students receive a free bus pass!), hundreds of miles of bike paths, art museums, performing arts groups, music venues, gourmet and ethnic restaurants, and numerous family-oriented activities and attractions. As a college town, weekends are spent at Camp Randal or the Kohl Center (Go Badgers!) watching both men’s and women’s sporting events. Other favorite activities among our grads include ice skating at one of our many public parks; playing kickball on a team made up of grads, postdocs, and other colleagues; rock climbing at a local gym, sailing with the Hoofers (campus sports club); or spending time with their family at the Vilas Zoo (free admission). And these are just some of the arts, entertainment, and recreational activities Madison offers.