students discussing science posters in the Biochemistry Laboratories Building

About

The Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB) is the joint graduate program of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Biochemistry and Department of Biomolecular Chemistry. Students graduate from the program with Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry. Our more than 50 world-class faculty advise and mentor IPiB’s approximately 100 graduate students in pursuit of innovative research in all areas of biochemistry. According to the 2024 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools”, UW–Madison’s research and education and research in biochemistry ranks 11th.

While the two departments are located in the same area of the UW–Madison campus, the Department of Biochemistry is officially part of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry is part of the School of Medicine and Public Health. The combined perspectives of these departments allow our unique program to tackle problems in biochemistry with interdisciplinary approaches and from multiple angles.

The administrative structure of IPiB, like the University of Wisconsin, follows a collaborative model of shared governance. The IPiB Steering Committee makes program decisions about oversight, policy, and curriculum with the input of students represented by the Graduate Leadership & Development Committee.

Our Buildings

Biochemistry Complex taken from roof or drone across University Ave.IPiB is located in the Hector F. DeLuca Biochemical Sciences Complex, which includes the Biochemistry Building (420 Henry Mall), Biochemical Sciences Building (440 Henry Mall), and Biochemistry Laboratories (433 Babcock Drive). The buildings are connected by skywalks and boast modern, capable, and safe facilities, including a wide array of lab space, research facilities, conference rooms, offices, reading rooms, and teaching facilities. There is a small café in the Biochemical Sciences Building.

Our History

Photo from UW archives of Harry Steenbock in the lab doing research.UW–Madison has been a leader in biochemical research since the 19th century. The Department of Biochemistry — then known as Agricultural Chemistry — and the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry — formerly known as Physiological Chemistry — first established doctoral graduate programs in the 1880s and 1920s, respectively. Researchers in the departments have made numerous important and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first chemical synthesis of a gene, discovery of the anti-coagulant warfarin, the investigation of urea production, pioneering work on the reconstruction of phylogenies (evolutionary trees) from protein and DNA sequences, the discovery and identification of the hormonal form of vitamin D, and more.

The Integrated Program in Biochemistry began in 2006, when its Charter was approved, and has since awarded more than 200 Ph.D. degrees. Former IPiB students have embarked on careers in academia, industry, science policy, patent law, and more.