Leading the Way in Innovation
Biotechnology, MS at UCI BioSci
The Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry also offers a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology. Biotechnology utilizes basic knowledge from the biological sciences, chemistry, and chemical engineering to solve practical problems in the fields of medicine, agriculture and chemical manufacturing.
The program emphasizes formal training and immediate participation in research. First-year students participate in core technical laboratories in protein isolation and characterization, animal and microbial cell culture and recombinant DNA methodology. Students also participate in individual faculty research projects.
Admission is contingent upon the successful completion of a bachelor’s of science degree, or equivalent. Applications are evaluated on the basis of grades, recommendation letters and other relevant qualifications.
Why Get A Masters Degree in Biotechnlogy?
Over the last 20 years, biotechnology has revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry through the creation of recombinant protein products including bovine and human growth hormones, insulin, interferons, and erthythropoietins. In agriculture, biotechnology has produced herbicides and insect-resistant plants and will have a major impact on society by producing high-yielding nutritious crops that can grow in high salinity, drought, and in extreme cold. In the field of medicine, genetically engineered animals, as well as human gene therapies, have immense potential.
Recently, the discovery of stem cells has been suggested by many to represent one of the most important medical discoveries of past 100 years. Over the last several years there has been a remarkable surge in literature documenting the feasibility of using stem cells to treat a broad spectrum of human diseases including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, ALS, type-1 diabetes, arthritis, burns, and spinal cord injury. In addition, stem cells are being used in basic research laboratories to help elucidate fundamental concepts in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
General Areas of Interest
- Structure and Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
- Structure and Biosynthesis of Proteins
- Recombinant DNA Technology
- Protein Isolation and Characterization
- Animal and Microbial Cell Culture
- Product Development and Marketing
Additional Information About Program
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a good background in biology, physics and chemistry. The ideal preparation includes introductory as well as some advanced courses in biology (cell biology, developmental biology, genetics and molecular biology), biochemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, statistics and physics. Advanced laboratory and/or research is preferred.
If your background meets this criteria, we encourage you to apply. If not, another program may be better suited to your background.
Admission is contingent upon the successful completion of a bachelor of science degree, or equivalent. Applications are evaluated on the basis of grades (minimum 3.0 GPA), three recommendation letters, and other relevant qualifications. Foreign students will be required to submit a TOEFL score and occasionally a TSE score. Applicants from India must submit one of the following in order to be eligible for Graduate studies consideration: a continuous 4 year degree from an accredited University, College or Institution or a completed 3 year Bachelor’s accompanied with a completed 2 year Masters. The combination of 3+2 would be the equivalent of the U.S. Bachelor’s. We do not accept a straight 3 year Bachelor’s nor do we accept a 1 year completion of the 2 year Masters in the 3 + 2 combination. Deadline to apply for the Fall quarter is March 1st. Applicant may contact Ms. Jackie Ramirez at email@example.com for additional information.
Enrollment in the stem cell emphasis is limited to 8 continuing students per year. Biotechnology graduate students interested in this track apply for admission during the winter quarter of their first year in the program. The stem cell curriculum differs slightly from that of the traditional biotechnology program, although the total number of courses and laboratories is the same.
Please address all questions regarding the program to Jackie Ramirez.