Master of Science in Biotechnology Program
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Amy Tvinnereim, PhD Biomedical Research Center (903) 877-5189
amy.tvinnereim@uttyler.edu
PROGRAM MANAGER
Chris Holmquist
Biomedical Research Center, (903) 877-8555
christopher.holmquist@uttyler.edu
PROGRAM MISSION
The biotechnology graduate program will provide students with marketable skills and qualifications for work in a high-tech industry, as well as the academic foundation necessary to pursue further medical and professional studies.
PROGRAM GOALS
Graduates of the biotechnology program will:
- Have mastered the techniques of modern biotechnology.
- Have an in-depth knowledge of biological and biochemical systems to enable graduates to adapt to emerging technologies in the field of biotechnology.
- Be a valuable asset to industry and other organizations requiring biotechnology expertise.
- Attain a level of professional integrity and competency integral to biotechnology research, commerce and ethics.
- Be prepared for careers in the biotechnology industry or for the continuation of their education in a PhD or MD program.
- Have developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Have honed their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Be computer literate.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLO)
- The student will demonstrate English communication skills in both oral and written forms.
- The student will demonstrate mastery of basic and advanced biotechnology methods.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to safely operate basic and advanced laboratory equipment, analytic devices and computers.
- The student will demonstrate independent and critical thinking skills integrated with the ability to utilize multiple informational resources.
- The student will explain the principles, mechanisms and interrelatedness of both in vivo and in vitro biochemical, molecular biological and genetic processes.
PROGRAM ADMISSION PREREQUISITES
To be admitted to the Master of Science (MS) in Biotechnology program, a student must hold a bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry (or a related field) and have completed the following courses:
- Biochemistry I or an equivalent – must have a B or better in the course
PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Students must complete the graduate program application for admission into the biotechnology graduate program (available on the university website).
- Applicants must submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended, including community colleges.
- Applicants should have an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a 3.0 in their field of study. (If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, it is possible to be admitted on a probationary status. You should contact the program coordinator to see if your GRE scores and/or combination of other factors might meet the requirements for admission.)
- Applicants must have a minimum combined score of 295 on the GRE: 150 on the quantitative section and 145 on the verbal section. (You can sign up for the GRE online (www.ets.org/gre) as well as find out about testing centers and dates. If you have already taken the GRE, this site will allow you to request an official copy of your scores.)
- All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. These letters should be written by former professors as a means to highlight why you would do well in the biotechnology graduate program.
Biotechnology students are admitted each Fall semester. Admission is not offered in the Spring or Summer semesters. For Fall 2025: The first admission deadline is December 15th, 2024. A second admission deadline is April 15th, 2025. Applicants who are placed on the waitlist from the December admission consideration will be automatically entered into the April admission consideration.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
The graduate program in biotechnology has a limited number of graduate assistantships for students in the Master of Science in Biotechnology program. Assistantship awards are typically in the amount of $18,000 per year paid in 26 installments. Applications are distributed to students by the program coordinator via email.
To be considered for an assistantship, a student must:
- Be pursuing a Master of Science in Biotechnology degree at The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center campus.
- Have completed all prerequisite requirements.
- Be admitted to the UT Tyler Health Science Center graduate degree program in biotechnology (clear or provisional admission as defined in General Academic Catalog).
- Be enrolled at least as a full-time graduate student (9 hours of graduate coursework in the fall or spring semesters or be conducting thesis research as their primary activity).
- Agree to be a teaching assistant for at least one course each fall and spring semester.
For second-year assistantships, the student also must:
- Have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 18 hours the first year.
- Have selected a thesis advisor at the Health Science Center at UT Tyler.
- Have submitted their thesis proposal.
- Have submitted an approved degree plan.
- Have applied for admission to candidacy.
- Be enrolled in BIOT 6331 - Thesis Research and be conducting active thesis research (at least 20 hours per week).
If awarded, the student must maintain full-time status during each semester of the award and must not be on scholastic probation. Failure to meet either of these conditions may result in termination of the assistantship the following semester.
THE BIOTECHNOLOGY TUITION SCHOLARSHIP
Depending on availability of funds, the School of Medicine offers a semesterly tuition and fee scholarship on a limited basis to students admitted into the Master of Science in Biotechnology degree program. Scholarship funds are derived from generous donations by the community at large. The scholarship awards are variable in amount and are based on availability of funds, number of applicants and the academic merit of the student. If awarded, scholarship funds will be applied to the student’s account at the beginning of the award semester. A new application may be required before each semester.
To be eligible, a student must at least:
- Be admitted to the Health Science Center at UT Tyler biotechnology degree program (clear or provisional admission as defined in the General Academic Catalog).
- Be actively pursuing the degree (neither on academic leave of absence nor in absentia).
- Have met all program prerequisite requirements.
- Be enrolled in and maintain at least 5 SCH in the program during the award semester.
If awarded, the student must maintain enrollment during each semester of the award and must not be on scholastic probation. Failure to meet either of these conditions can result in suspension or termination of the scholarship. At the discretion of the committee, the scholarship may be reinstated after the student adequately corrects any deficiencies.
Students will be notified via their university email when the application becomes available online.
SCHEDULE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY COURSE OFFERINGS
All course information, including syllabi and faculty curriculum vitae, can be found online.
FALL SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
SPRING SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
SUMMER SEMESTER OFFERINGS:
COURSES OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER:
MS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
A student in the biotechnology program must enroll in a seminar course each regular semester but will only receive credit for the course one time. A thesis student must register for BIOT 6331 and/or BIOT 6332 each semester or summer session until the thesis is completed. However, a student may not register the first time for BIOT 6332 until the thesis proposal has been approved. Moreover, a maximum of 3 semester hours each of BIOT 6331 and BIOT 6332 will be counted toward the MS in Biotechnology. Biotechnology students must take at least two electives as part of the degree.
Typical Two-Year Degree Plan for Master of Science in Biotechnology (36-44 hours)
Year 1 - Fall
Year 1 - Spring
Year 1 - Summer
| BIOT 6336 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| | Elective - Free Elective (1-3 hours) | |
Year 2 - Fall
Year 2 - Spring
NOTE:
BIOT 5101,
BIOT 6101 - required each regular semester but does not count toward 36 CH total required for degree completion.