Biotechnology (Graduate Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology

Students choosing to pursue the graduate certificate in biotechnology are given a sound theoretical background for working in the research and development divisions of biotechnology companies or biomedical research laboratories.

To earn the certificate

To earn the certificate, students must complete 15 credits, with a grade-point average of at least 3.0. Courses may be chosen from the list below:

Note:

At least two of the student’s courses must include laboratory work with biochemical or cellular techniques. BIOL 675 and BIOL 678 fulfill this laboratory requirement. Studies for the certificate must be completed within four years. Part-time students may be granted an additional year to complete their studies by petitioning the biology graduate program director and the office of graduate studies.

Admission Requirements

Please see the general statement of admission requirements for all graduate studies programs in the “Admissions ” section of this publication. The following are the requirements for the certificate in biotechnology:

Submission of the graduate admissions application form.
A distinguished undergraduate transcript with strengths in biology, biochemistry, or other related fields; competitive students generally have at least a 3.0 overall GPA, although lower grades can be acceptable.
A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a four-year college or university of recognized standing.
Official transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate work. (One copy of each transcript must be sent directly to the university’s Office of Graduate Admissions and Records. A final transcript showing that the bachelor’s degree has been awarded must be received before the student can enter the program.)
Three letters of recommendation.
Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Combined Aptitude Test.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL official test score) is required for international applicants. For more information regarding minimal TOEFL scores, please refer to the section “International Applicants ” under “Admissions ” in this publication.

The stated interests of a prospective student must coincide to an acceptable degree with the faculty specialties represented in the program. The biology graduate committee, in conjunction with the director of graduate programs in biology, is responsible for reviewing applications and for recommending candidates to the dean of graduate studies.