Students have the option to follow a research thesis or scholarly paper track to earn the Master of Science (M.S.) with a concentration in biotechnology.
Research Thesis track
The program requires a minimum of 33 credits. However it is recommended that students take 36 for the concentration in biotechnology.
Students must write and defend a thesis based on at least two semesters of Thesis Research (
BIO 798/
799 for 6 credits total).
Scholarly Paper track
This program requires 36 credits. For the scholarly paper track (by permission only to Biotechnology students), students must register for Scholarly Paper (
BIO 796, 2 credits), and write and defend a scholarly paper based on library research in an area of interest in biology. Students will also need to complete additional coursework in biology to get the total of 36 credits.
Given the value of an extended research experience in preparing students for work in biotechnology, students are strongly recommended to follow the research thesis track described below. It is also possible to complete the master's degree by following the scholarly paper track; this would be especially appropriate for students who already have extensive lab experience.
Courses required of all Biotechnology students
|
BIO 645
|
Introduction to Biotechnology
|
3 cr
|
|
CHE 581
|
Laboratory Safety
|
1 cr
|
|
BIO 630
|
Experimental Design
|
3 cr
|
|
BIO 794
|
Internship in Biotechnology
|
3 cr
|
One of these lecture/lab combinations:
|
BIO 640/641
|
Graduate Genetics/
Graduate Genetics Lab
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 650/651
|
Graduate Cell Biology/
Graduate Cell Biology Lab
|
4 cr
|
One additional lab course from the following, including the
co- or pre-requisite lecture course:
|
BIO 504
|
Survey of Biochemistry
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 506
|
Molecular Biology
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 525
|
Transmission Electron Microscopy
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 526
|
Scanning Electron Microscopy
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 615/616
|
Regulatory Physiology/Regulatory Physiology Lab
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 626
|
Cell Culture Techniques
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 640/641
|
Graduate Genetics/Graduate Genetics Lab
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 650/651
|
Graduate Cell Biology/Graduate Cell Biology Lab
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 674/675
|
Graduate Microbiology/Graduate Microbiology Lab
|
4 cr
|
|
CHE 571/572
|
Biochemistry I & II
|
8 cr
|
The following three courses in business (9 credits total, 3 credits each):
|
ACC 500
|
Financial Accounting
|
3 cr
|
|
BUS 551
|
Legal and Ethical Environment (intellectual property issues)
|
3 cr
|
|
MGT 561
|
Management Theory/Organizational Behavior
|
3 cr
|
One of the following business courses is recommended but not required
(3 credits):
|
BUS 580
|
Marketing, or
|
3 cr
|
|
or
|
|
|
|
BUS 689
|
Persuasive Communication and Negotiation
|
3 cr
|
Exceptions to the above courses may be approved only with special permission of the Graduate Committee.
Possible course program for Biotechnology students
The schedule below is one of several options and is designed for full-time students. This is a demanding program and students who are working should consider taking fewer courses per semester than outlined here.
In order to follow this sequence, students must take the GRE or GMAT in time to receive their scores by the beginning of the fall semester so that they could begin taking business classes immediately.
This course schedule may be subject to change.
Fall semester year one
|
BIO 640/641
|
Graduate Genetics/Graduate Genetics lab
|
4 cr
|
|
BIO 645
|
Introduction to Biotechnology
|
3 cr
|
|
CHE 581
|
Chemical Safety
|
1 cr
|
| BUS 551 |
Legal & Ethical Environment |
3 cr |
Spring semester year one
|
ACC 500
|
Financial Accounting
|
3 cr
|
|
BIO 506
|
Molecular Biology
|
4 cr
|
| or |
|
|
| BIO 526 |
Scanning Electron Microscopy |
4 cr |
|
MGT 561
|
Management Theory/Organizational Behavior
|
3 cr
|
Summer sessions I & II
Fall semester year two
Fall and Spring semesters year two
Complete thesis research, write and defend thesis.
