Biotechnology M.S.
The graduate plan in Biotechnology leads to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree. This innovative and interdisciplinary MS program offers an industry focus on a comprehensive exploration of basic science, applied science, and lab science. The biotechnology graduate program at UHCL provides a solid foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics and proteomics. The student's course of study qualifies them for careers in research and development, teaching, or private industry. Students must specialize in one of the following areas:
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Molecular Biotechnology
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Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology
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Biotechnology Management
The GRE is optional. The suggested GRE score (verbal + quantitative) should be a minimum of 290 points, with a minimum quantitative score of 150, verbal score of 140 and writing score of 3.5. Required GPA should be 3.0 or higher. Students need to submit transcripts of past college and university experience. Students who do not submit and/or do not meet College GRE and/or GPA standards will be required to meet additional performance criteria by submitting 3 letters of recommendation, resume and a personal statement detailing future work and research plans.
Successful applicants should have completed the basic requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences or a related filed or have completed the following courses (including prerequisites or equivalents) before applying for admission:
Requirements
Basic Requirements | |
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BIOL 3341 | Molecular Genetics Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4341 | Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4344 | Comparative Animal Physiology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4345 | Human Physiology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4343 | Plant Physiology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4347 | Cellular Physiology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 4351 | Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5011 | Methods of Biotechnology Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5021 | Methods of Biotechnology Credit Hours: 2 |
STAT 3308 | Computational Statistics |
Additional Information
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Core Requirements (30 hours)
The M.S. degree requires the completion of 30 hours. All core requirements and Biotechnology electives must be completed with a grade of "C" or better and a GPA of ≥ 3.0 must be maintained. All graduate students in the Biotechnology program must complete a Candidate Plan of Study (CPS) with their assigned faculty adviser before they complete 9 hours of graduate credit. Courses completed past the initial 9 hours that are not on the approved CPS may not be counted toward the degree.
Although the M.S. in Biotechnology does not require independent study, co-op (internship), field experience (practicum), or thesis, these options are available and students are highly encouraged to participate in these courses and experiences.
In addition to the following required courses there are additional required courses for each specialization: Refer to Biotechnology Program Specialization Areas and Electives sections.
Biotechnology Extended Coursework Option
Under the extended coursework option, a minimum of 27 hours of coursework in one of the three Specialization areas, of which 18-24 hours (depending on the specialization) must be biotechnology (BIOT) courses and three hours of BIOT 6838 Research Project and Seminar taken in the last 12 hours. Non-thesis students who complete BIOT 5530 as an elective will still be required to complete BIOT 6838.
Biotechnology Thesis Option
The Thesis Option requires a minimum of 21 hours of Biotechnology (BIOT) courses in one of the three Specialization Areas, BIOT 5530 Research Methods in Biotechnology, and six hours of BIOT 6939 Master's Thesis Option. Graduate students who are pursuing the master's thesis option are advised to consult with their faculty adviser early in their studies for guidance in preparation for beginning the thesis and register for BIOT 5530 Research Methods in Biotechnology early in their studies.
If they take more than 6 hours of BIOT 6939, they are not able to count them toward their degree and they will only receive a grade for 6 hours. Once they enroll in the course, they have to stay continually enrolled until they graduate. Any hours above the 6 will show a credit only with no grade.
Biotechnology Program Specialization Areas and Electives
Specialization Prerequisites
Please be informed that there are additional prerequisites for each specialization/concentration. In all cases for specialization requirements, evidence of completion of the course with a grade of C or better is required.
Molecular Biotechnology Specialization
The M.S. in Biotechnology with a Specialization in Molecular Biotechnology requires 30 hours of coursework, of which 24 hours must be biotechnology (BIOT).
Required Courses | |
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BIOT 5111 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5112 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5121 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5122 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Credit Hours: 2 |
Additional Information
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Molecular Biotechnology Specialization Electives (3-9 hours) | |
BIOT 5231 | Advanced Mammalian Tissue Culture Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5235 | Bacterial Taxonomy and Biotechnology Laboratory Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5331 | Stem Cell Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5431 | Genomic Analysis Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5433 | Marine Biotechnology Seminar Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5535 | Environmental Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5833 | Proteomics Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5915 | Cooperative Education Work Term Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5921 | Laboratory Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5931 | Research Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5939 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 6011 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 6021 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 6031 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5131 | Membrane Biology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5132 | Cell Signaling Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5332 | Toxicology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5433 | Enzymology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5435 | Advanced Immunology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5634 | Apoptosis |
BIOL 5635 | Neuroscience |
BIOL 5732 | Advances in Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5734 | Oncogenes Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOL 5738 | Gene Therapy Credit Hours: 3 |
Specialization Prerequisites | |
Although laboratory courses in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry will greatly assist students, these skills will be reviewed and enhanced in Methods of Biotechnology laboratory and discussion sessions BIOT 5021/BIOT 5011, therefore none are required. |
Bioinformatics/Computational Biology Specialization
The M.S. in Biotechnology with a Specialization in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology requires 30 hours of coursework, of which 18 hours must be in biotechnology (BIOT). Additional prerequisites for the Bioinformatics/Computational Biology Specialization (UHCL course or equivalent) are:
Specialization Prerequisites | |
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UHCL course or equivalent. | |
CSCI 1320 | C Programming Credit Hours: 3 |
CSCI 1470 | Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4 |
CSCI 1370 | Software Development with Java Credit Hours: 3 |
CSCI 1471 | Computer Science II Credit Hours: 4 |
CSCI 2315 | Data Structures Credit Hours: 3 |
CSCI 4333 | Design of Database Systems Credit Hours: 3 |
Additional Information
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Required Courses | |
CSCI 5833 | Data Mining: Tools and Techniques |
CSCI 5933 | Computational Bioinformatics |
Additional InformationCSCI 5833 must be taken prior to CSCI 5933. |
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Bioinformatics/Computational Specialization Electives (3-9 hours) | |
BIOT 5111 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5112 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5121 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5122 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5235 | Bacterial Taxonomy and Biotechnology Laboratory Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5431 | Genomic Analysis Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5915 | Cooperative Education Work Term Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5919 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5921 | Laboratory Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5931 | Research Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5939 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 6011 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 6031 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 3 |
CSCI 4333 | Design of Database Systems Credit Hours: 3 |
CSCI 5530 | Pattern Classification |
CSCI 5532 | Pattern Recognition and Image Processing |
CSCI 5633 | Web Database Development |
Biotechnology Management Specialization
The M.S. in Biotechnology with a Specialization in Management requires 30 hours of coursework, of which 18 hours must be in biotechnology (BIOT). Additional prerequisites for the Biotechnology Management specialization (UHCL course or equivalent) are:
Specialization Prerequisites | |
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UHCL course or equivalent. | |
MGMT 3301 | Management Theory and Practice Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 4354 | Organizational Behavior Theory and Application Credit Hours: 3 |
Additional Information
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Required Courses | |
BIOT 5111 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5112 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5121 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5122 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Credit Hours: 2 |
EMGT 5430 | Professional Project Management Credit Hours: 3 |
Additional Information
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Designated Electives | |
Students are required to take 3 of the following electives: | |
MGMT 5032 | Human Behavior in Organizations Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 5133 | Teamwork and Leadership Skills: Theory in Practice Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 5434 | Negotiation Skills and Strategies Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 5636 | Management of Technology Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 5638 | Leading Technology Credit Hours: 3 |
Biotechnology Management Specialization Electives (3-9 hours) | |
BIOT 5111 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5112 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Discussions Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5121 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology I Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5122 | Advanced Methods of Biotechnology II Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5915 | Cooperative Education Work Term Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5919 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 5921 | Laboratory Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5929 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 5931 | Research Topics in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 5939 | Independent Study in Biotechnology Credit Hours: 3 |
BIOT 6011 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 1 |
BIOT 6021 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 2 |
BIOT 6031 | Biotechnology Practicum Credit Hours: 3 |
MGMT 6332 | International Management Credit Hours: 3 |
Additional Information
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