Biotechnology, M.S.

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Director: Dr. Yehia Mechref, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Director of Center for Biotechnology and Genomics

Texas Tech University offers an interdisciplinary Master of Science in Biotechnology degree designed to prepare students for a laboratory research career in biotechnology. In addition, the School of Law and the Graduate School offer a dual-degree program leading to the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Science in Biotechnology .

About the Biotechnology Master’s Program

The Texas Tech Center for Biotechnology and Genomics administers the Master of Science in Biotechnology, with an emphasis in bioinformatics as a new option.

The degree is a two-year program, with the first two semesters consisting of required and elective coursework. The second year (nine to 12 months) is devoted to research (and possibly additional advanced coursework). Students may satisfy the research requirement in either of two ways: (1) complete an M.S. thesis, based on research carried out in the laboratory of a participating faculty member, or (2) complete a non-thesis internship in a research laboratory on campus, an industrial research laboratory, a government laboratory, or a not-for-profit foundation laboratory. Students who select a non-thesis option must pass a comprehensive final exam during their fourth (or final) semester. Options should be carefully discussed with the director and/or graduate advisor of the center.

First-year students take a core curriculum consisting of an introductory lecture course (BTEC 6301 ), an introductory lab course (BTEC 5338 ), a course on the ethics of research (PHIL 5125 ), a bioinformatics course (BTEC 5222 ), and a course in scientific communication (BTEC 5100 ). The remaining coursework requirements are satisfied by selections from a broad list of approved electives offered by the Center for Biotechnology and Genomics or other departments.

Students interested in the program should have an undergraduate degree that provides a sound background in biological sciences, preferably from a molecular perspective. A minimum of one semester of organic chemistry is required. A second semester of organic chemistry and at least one semester of biochemistry or cell biology and one semester of molecular biology/molecular genetics are highly recommended. Admission will be based on the student’s undergraduate record and GRE scores and on other considerations such as previous research experience and letters of recommendation. Applications should be submitted through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships will be available at the start of the fall semester for outstanding first-year students. Students awarded these competitive scholarships will be eligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate. Applications are available to both Texas residents and non-residents and are evaluated holistically by the Center for Biotechnology and Genomics Scholarship Committee.