Biotechnology
Integrated Undergraduate - Graduate Program
Program Overview
The integrated B.S. Biotechnology-Master of Biotechnology degree program enables qualified BS Biotechnology students to graduate in five years with the Master's of Biotechnology degree. Completion of the IUG program will give students greater confidence, enhanced preparation and more competitive qualification for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry and elsewhere.
Application and admission process
B.S. Biotechnology students interested in applying to the integrated program must consult early on and periodically with the undergraduate program adviser to make sure the student’s plan of study is on track with the BS Biotechnology curricular requirements. Upon admission to the integrated program, the student will be co-advised by the undergraduate and graduate program academic advisers to insure timely completion of the requirements of the integrated degree. The integrated B.S.-Master’s curriculum is designed so that students admitted to the IUG program can opt to graduate with the B.S. Biotechnology degree after 4 years of study, if they so decide.
Students must apply to the IUG degree program at the end of the Fall semester of their third year. At the time of application, the applicant must have earned a minimum of 75 credits in their B.S. curriculum and a minimum GPA of 3.5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores normally required of Master of Biotechnology applicants will be waived for applicants to the IUG program.
Admission to the integrated program will be based on the recommendation by the Director of the Master of Biotechnology degree program in consultation with the undergraduate program adviser and on the completed application materials.
Degree Requirements
Students in the B.S.-Master of Biotechnology degree program must complete 125 credits required in their B.S. degree program and 30 credits required in the Master of Biotechnology degree (18 of these 30 credits must be from 500-level courses). A maximum of 12 credits, at least six of which must be from 500-level courses, can be applied or cross-counted to both B.S. and Master’s degree credit requirements, as shown in the following Program of Study.
Programs of Study
| Year | Semester | B.S. Biotechnology (125 credits required) Credits Completed |
|---|---|---|
| I | Fall | 15 |
| Spring | 15 | |
| II | Fall | 16 |
| Spring | 15 | |
| III | Fall | 16 |
| Spring | 15 | |
| IV | Fall | 16* |
| Spring | 17* | |
| Total credits for B.S. | 125 | |
|
*Include the following cross-counted courses that count as 400-level electives in the BS curriculum except BIOTC 479 that is required in both BS and Master’s: MCIBS 593. (3 credits). Molecular Biology Laboratory |
||
| Total credits cross-counted in B.S. and Master's degrees | 12 credits, 7 of which are 500-level credits | |
| Master's of Biotechnology (30 credits required, 18 of which must be 500-level credits) | ||
| IV | Summer | MCIBS 595 or equivalent in BMB (2 credits), Internship OR MCIBS 594 (3-5 credits), Research Project |
| V | Fall | MCIBS 594. Completion of Research Project |
| Spring |
MCIBS 591. (1 credit). Colloquium |
|
| Minimum total credits earned for Summer and 5th year |
18 credits, at least 11 of which are 500-level credits |
|
Core Courses for the Master of Biotechnology Degree
Students admitted to the Master of Biotechnology degree program must earn credits from the following courses:
- MCIBS 593. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY (3 credits) An intensive laboratory course on the principles and techniques of molecular biology basic to current work in biotechnology.
- BIOTC 479. METHODS IN BIOFERMENTATION (3 credits) Bioprocessing principles and development; uses and operation of biofermentors, determination of biomass; problems of scale-up, OR BE 468. MICROBIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING (3 credits) Application of basic engineering principles and designs in biochemical and biological processes.
- MCIBS 571. CURRENT ISSUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (2 credits) Case study project and lecture series by academic and industry speakers on scientific, business, intellectual property, regulatory, legal, social and ethical issues in biotechnology.
- MCIBS 591. ETHICS IN THE LIFE SCIENCES (1 credit) An examination of integrity and misconduct in life sciences research.
- MCIBS 590. LSC COLLOQUIUM SEMINAR SERIES (2 credits) A monthly colloquium that will present life science topics of general interest.
- B M B 400. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE GENE (2 credits) The molecular biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes and genetics.
- MCIBS 594. RESEARCH PROJECT IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (3-5 credits) Supervised individual projects either in an academic or government laboratory or in industry. A research paper is required and will be used as a basis for evaluating student performance as well as the feedback from immediate supervisor of the research project. In some cases, an oral presentation may be involved in addition to the research paper. If proprietary work is part of the research project, it can be uncoupled from the research paper or from the oral presentation upon consultation with the instructor.
Elective Courses
These are chosen from the many course offerings in various academic departments including the following courses:
- MCIBS 595. INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP (2 credits) This course is strongly recommended. The Office of Student Engagement of the College of Science is responsible for internship registration and coordination that includes search and placement, resume preparation, internship documentation, and student/host evaluation of the internship experience.
- MCIBS/or other 596. Individual Studies (1-3 credits) This is another elective course that is strongly recommended for students who intend to pursue research and development careers. This is a laboratory research work with any faculty member interested in hosting a student for individual studies in his/her laboratory. This course enables students to gain additional laboratory and technical experience beyond what they get from required laboratory courses. This can also be a laboratory work in any of the core research facilities on campus under the Huck Institutes, for example the Flow Cytometry and Digital Microscopy facility.
Tuition Charges
Undergraduate tuition rates will apply as long as the student is an undergraduate. There is no guaranteed financial support in the integrated B.S.-Master of Biotechnology degree program.
For questions about the IUG and Master’s program in biotechnology, e-mail Freya Heryla.
Additional information is available on the The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences website.