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.

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.

It is in light of these practical applications that the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at UCI offers its graduate program in biotechnology, leading to the Master’s of Science degree in Biological Sciences. Students are trained in experimental rationales for solving actual research problems and are encouraged to take summer internships in industry during the course of their studies.

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, GRE scores, and other relevant qualifications.

For further information, please contact the program coordinator at: biotech@uci.edu

http://mbb.bio.uci.edu/biotechnology/index.shtml

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