Master of Science in Integrated Biotechnology
MSIB Admission Supplemental Application
Description
The Master of Science in Integrated Biotechnology (MSIB) is designed to prepare students for a successful career in the rapidly growing biotech sector. As the first STEM degree in the Department of Natural Sciences, this fully online program provides a solid foundation for careers in biotechnology and can also pave the way for further graduate or professional training.
Earning the Master of Science in Integrated Biotechnology degree requires the successful completion of 30-credit hours of course work that includes six hours of electives. There are two areas of concentration: the biomedical track and the environmental track. This fully online master’s degree can be completed in two (2) years or four (4) semesters.
- Baccalaureate degree earned in any field from an accredited college or university
- Submission of the completed graduate application for admission
- Three letters of recommendation - These letters should be written by faculty members or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications. The letters should be written on official letterhead.
- All official college transcripts
- Submission of the Integrated Biotechnology application
- At this time, the MSIB does not require GRE scores for admission purposes.
Review of applications will be conducted by the Department of Natural Sciences’ Graduate School Committee. When evaluating applications, our Faculty Admission Reviewers consider a variety of factors, and no single criterion guarantees admission into or rejection from the MSIB program. The committee will evaluate applicants’ undergraduate coursework (especially the last 60 credit hours), letters of recommendation, and their ability to communicate effectively in writing as demonstrated in the application packet.
- Admission into the MSIB program is dependent on the applicant’s undergraduate grade
point average (GPA).
- Regular admission is granted to applicants who have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Provisional admission is granted to applicants who have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants with a completed master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution may be admitted directly. An official transcript verifying the degree completion is required.
MSIB PROGRAM OF STUDY
Students must complete 30 hours of coursework with a minimum grade of "B" in each course to earn the Master of Science in Integrated Biotechnology. To be considered full-time, students must enroll in at least nine credit hours per semester.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| Core Courses (15 hours) | ||
| IGBT 5000 | Topics in Biotechnology | 3 |
| IGBT 5010 | Advanced Molecular Biology and Biotechnology | 3 |
| IGBT 5020 | Safety and Ethics in Biotechnology | 3 |
| IGBT 5040 | Research Internship | 6 |
| Track Course 1. Biomedical (9 hours) | ||
| IGBT 5110 | Biomedical and Sciences and Technology | 3 |
| IGBT 5120 | Medical Micribiology and Immunology | 3 |
| IGBT 5130 | Mollecular Diagnostics | 3 |
| Track Course 2. Environmental (9 hours) | ||
| IGBT 5210 | Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| IGBT 5220 | Environmental Microbiolgy | 3 |
| IGBT 5230 | Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Contaminants | 3 |
| Elective Courses (6 hours) | ||
| IGBT 6010 | Bio informatics and Data Science | 3 |
| IGBT 6020 | Genetic Engineering | 3 |
| IGBT 6030 | Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| IGBT 6110 | Advanced Physiology | 3 |
| IGBT 6120 | Cancer Biology | 3 |
| IGBT 6210 | Environmental Pollution and Human Health | 3 |
| IGBT 6230 | Introduction to Nanobiotechnology | 3 |
| IGBT 6310 | Special Topics in Plant Biotechnolgy | 3 |
| IGBT 6330 | Biotechnology Management | 3 |
Course Descriptions
IGBT 5000 – Topics in Biotechnology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to scientific methodologies of biotechnology and biochemistry. Topics include analysis, purification, and quantification of nucleic acids and proteins, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and qPCR applications, ELISA, DNA microarrays, next generation sequencing, basic and advanced cloning techniques, protein-protein interactions, molecular diagnostics, protein and nucleic acid therapeutics, molecular vaccines, bionanotechnology, plant biotechnology, and product development.
IGBT 5010 – Advanced Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course covers selected topics in molecular biology and biochemistry with emphasis on experimental approaches and problem solving. Topics include structure, function, and modification of proteins, enzyme kinetics, and the study of metabolic pathways and their regulation. Also covered are function and organization of genes and genomes and their regulation mechanisms. In addition, modern high throughput omics technologies will also be discussed.
IGBT 5020 – Safety and Ethics in Biotechnology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course investigates the principles and procedures that govern safety and ethics in the field of biotechnology. This course is interdisciplinary in nature, and therefore, will address ethics from social, legal, and scientific perspectives.
IGBT 5040 – Research Internship (6 credit hours)
Prerequisite: IGBT 5020
A course designed to introduce, oversee, and guide incoming graduate students to professional practices through hands-on experiences in the field. During the course, students will increase clinical experience, learn standards and ethics, and add substance to future interviews or applications, which will increase marketability.
IGBT 5110 – Biomedical Sciences and Technology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
The course in Biomedical Sciences and Technology is designed to provide an overview of the multidisciplinary applications of the biomedical scientific concepts used in assessment of normal health status and in the diagnosis of diseases, primarily in humans, and applications in research.
IGBT 5120 – Medical Microbiology & Immunology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course focuses on the fundamentals of microbial physiology, infectious disease, genetics and immunology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and host-pathogen etiology and interactions through a stimulating and rich learning environment.
IGBT 5130 – Molecular Diagnostics (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course delves into the theoretical foundations and practical applications of molecular diagnostics, a field that uses DNA, RNA, and protein analysis to diagnose and monitor diseases. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles, techniques, and clinical applications of molecular diagnostic assays.
IGBT 5210 – Environmental Toxicology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course involves a careful examination of the principles of toxicology. Emphases are on development of effective study, writing, and presentation skills necessary for a successful scientific career. The interdisciplinary nature of the field, particularly the interactions among various natural and social sciences, will also be stressed.
IGBT 5220 – Environmental Microbiology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course offers a comprehensive overview of environmental microbiology, covering topics such as microbial diversity, ecology, detection, growth, bioremediation, and interactions with pollutants. The course integrates contemporary issues and research-based learning to explore the role of microorganisms in various environments and applications.
IGBT 5230 – Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Contaminants (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This lab-based class will introduce students to techniques in quantifying environmental contamination. Topics include method validation protocols for various sample types.
Elective Courses
IGBT 6010 – Bioinformatics and Data Science (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
Students will further their knowledge of the latest computation techniques for managing and analyzing biological information, which also includes an introduction to standard tools and methods used to explore, visualize, and analyze data. Students will also be familiarized with current issues in Genomics and Proteomics and design solutions for problems in these fields.
IGBT 6020 – Genetic Engineering (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
Students will develop a basic understanding of molecular genetics as they explore the technology that has led us to recent advances in the field and discovers how molecular biology impacts various other fields such as oncology, gene therapy, immunology, medical genetics, etc. Students will be exposed to research throughout the completion of their coursework as all of the core courses are research-based, illustrating advances in the field through the interpretation of data.
IGBT 6030 – Synthetic Biology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
Synthetic biology is a new technology that can solve real-world problems in industry, agriculture and medicine that adopts various concepts from many disciplines including physics, computer science, and molecular genetics to produce a new framework for engineering life. This course introduces those background concepts and examples of current synthetic biology products. Furthermore, various methodology and fundamental mechanisms behind such synthetic biology products will also be discussed.
IGBT 6110 – Advanced Physiology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This advanced physiology course is designed to assist student understanding of the body functions and their regulation at the organ systems level. Lesser emphases will focus on the effects of diseases on those body functions.
IGBT 6120 – Cancer Biology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course investigates the principles and procedures that govern safety and ethics in the field of biotechnology. This course is interdisciplinary in nature, and therefore, will address ethics from social, legal, and scientific perspectives.
IGBT 6210 – Environmental Pollution and Human Health (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course will examine the history of pollution and the impact on human disease and health. Topics include case studies in first world vs third world pollution trends and health disparities.
IGBT 6230 – Introduction to Nanobiotechnology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This interdisciplinary course introduces students to special physicochemical and biological properties of nanomaterials and their applications in various areas such as medicine and agriculture and studies bridge areas nanotechnology and biotechnology. This course focuses on concepts in nanomaterials, nanoscale physical and biological systems, synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and their applications for various field including medicine and agriculture.
IGBT 6310 – Special Topics in Plant Biotechnology (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course covers the methods and implementation of selected topics in plant biotechnology. The topics include examples of biotechnological applications of plants that are used to benefit human society and environment. To understand the background of these manipulations better, various aspects of plant physiology will also be discussed.
IGBT 6330 – Biotechnology Management (3 credit hours)
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces students to topics in the interphase of biotechnology and business. The course will also cover project management principles, managerial finance accounting, business plan development, entrepreneurship, and organizational administration, as it relates to the biotechnology industry.