Graduate Program Information
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Master of Science in Biological Sciences–Biotechnology
| Major Code: | 8024 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The marine environment is a rich source of pharmaceuticals, polymers, diagnostic reagents and genetically diverse organisms. The biological processes of the majority of marine organisms are not well understood and the biotechnology industry lacks individuals trained to develop and practice biotechnology using marine animals, plants and microorganisms. The master’s program in biotechnology is a nonthesis program that builds on Florida Tech’s unique location on the Atlantic coast, and its established strengths in marine biology, marine ecology, natural products chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry to provide a path for students who aspire to learn biotechnology and earn jobs in industry. The program is focused on those areas of biotechnology related to microbiology, natural products chemistry and molecular biology of marine organisms. Students are provided with a diverse combination of classroom experience, field studies, chemical and molecular biological laboratory techniques and development of communication skills most appropriate for an industrial or academic research career.
The goal of this training program is to produce individuals with a strong interdisciplinary background in biology and chemistry, who will be qualified to meet the needs of biotechnology in industrial or academic settings. To provide additional experience with state-of-the-art technology, students in this program have the opportunity to include summer internships in an industrial laboratory as part of their degree training. In most cases, these internships are related to collaboration between Florida Tech faculty and a particular laboratory in a biotechnology firm. Internship sites include Merck, Sharp and Dohme (Rahway, N.J.), Lederle Labs (Pearl River, N.Y.) and Zymogenetics (Seattle, Wash.). Those students wishing to receive internship training locally may substitute a research experience with Florida Tech faculty, subject to approval.
Admission Requirements
The applicant must have a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or equivalent. Applicants deficient in organic chemistry, genetics, biochemistry or microbiology are required to take undergraduate courses before starting the master of science program. For this program, GRE scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment, by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The master’s degree in biotechnology is a nonthesis option and requires the satisfactory completion of 33 credit hours, including a maximum of 27 credit hours formal coursework (six credit hours of research may substitute for six credit hours of formal coursework), seminars (BIO 5990), and up to 12 credit hours of industrial internship (BIO 5997) and/or summer laboratory experience (BIO 5537) at Florida Tech. A project report on the research experience is written, presented and defended before a committee. The committee, the composition of which is similar to that for the master’s degree, may ask questions relating to previous coursework.
Curriculum
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study that is approved by the Graduate Academic Steering Panel and department head. The student must complete courses appropriate for the option, chosen from any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering, College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and Nathan M. Bisk College of Business.
Summary of Program Requirements
| Formal Coursework | 21–27 | |
| Biological Sciences Seminar | 0 | |
| Research* | 0–6 | |
| Internship or summer laboratory experience | 6–12 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 33 |
* Research may focus on biology, chemistry, computer sciences or another area approved by the student’s adviser.