MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Deadline to apply for Fall 2012 has been extended to July 1, 2012!
Announcements
$1.9 million dollar grant allows 10 CI Grad Students to do Stem Cell Research
YouTube video of CI Stem Cell Grad Students at the CIRM Bridges Meeting
Overview
The Master of Science in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics degree seeks to provide students with broad training and education in scientific principles as well as knowledge underlying advances in biotechnology in:
Basic laboratory techniques in research and development
Legal and intellectual property issues
Skills and attributes important in business and bio entrepreneurship
The approach on multi-disciplinary learning encourages collaboration and idea expression in an effective manner.
General Objectives for the MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics degree
Provides students with the opportunity to earn a professional MS degree in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from a California State University.
Prepare students with analytical, business and managerial skills along with sophisticated expertise in biotechnology and computational sciences for a diverse set of vocations. Qualified graduates will be able to engage in research, development, and management in biotechnology and work in the pharmaceutical industry or conduct scientific research. Our graduates may also go into teaching or consulting in public and/or private organizations.
Provides a value added education in biotechnology and bioinformatics to enhance career advancement opportunities.
Learning Objectives for the MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics degree
Students who successfully complete the Biotechnology Emphasis in the Master of Science Degree program will be able to:
Work in cross-disciplinary teams to address questions of relevance to the biotechnology industry through the design and implementation of databases that integrate computational biology and empirical analyses.
Explain techniques used to make biological inferences from protein and nucleic acid sequences.
Identify biologically relevant problems in biotechnology, biomedical, and agricultural research.
Outline the state and Federal regulatory processes that govern the biotechnology industry.
Explain fundamental principles which underlie modern techniques in biotechnology.
Demonstrate proficiency in performing fundamental molecular biology techniques.
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to be completed in two years and requires a team project in an academic or industrial location. With a wide range of flexibility, students are able to create a program that fits their specific needs. The MS degree is offered by the Biology program in collaboration with the Computer Science and the Business and Economics program. Backed by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, funding for the masters’ program addresses the needs of students and the industry through rigorous interdisciplinary training.The program curriculum is 12 units of common core courses in MS Biotechnology & Bioinformatics as well as required and elective courses for the emphasis of your choice.
Courses Online in Biotechnology (PDF 198.7 KB)
MS Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Common Core Courses (12 units)
BINF 500 DNA & Protein Sequence Analysis (3)
BIOL 503 Biotechnology Law and Regulation (3)
BIOL 504 Molecular Cell Biology (3)
MGT 471 Project Management (3)
For Biotechnology Emphasis (22 units)
Required Courses (15 units)
BINF 514 Statistical Methods in Computational Biology (3)
BIOL 502 Techniques in Genomics & Proteomics (3)
BIOL 505 Molecular Structure (4)
BIOL 600 Team Project (4)
BIOL 601 Seminar Series in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1)
Electives (7 units)
A minimum of two courses chosen from the following courses and/or from the required courses for the other emphases of the program:
BINF 511 Computational Genomics (3)
BIOL 490 Special Topics (1-3)
BIOL 500 Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Productions (3)
BIOL 506 Molecular Evolution (4)
BIOL 507 Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoproteomics (3)
BIOL 508 Advanced Immunology (4)
BIOL 509 Plant Biotechnology (4)
BIOL 516 Clinical Trials and Quality Assurance (3)
BIOL 605 Biotechnology Across National Boundaries Field Trip (1)
MGT 421 Human Resource Management (3)
For Biomedical Engineering Emphasis (23 units)
Required Courses (15 units)
BME 500 Biological Systems and Biomechanics: Principles and Applications (3)
BME 501 Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials (3)
BIOL 601 Seminar Series in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1)
BIOL 604 Biotechnology across National Boundaries (2)
Choose one of the following:
BME 502 Biomedical Instrumentation and Devices: Technology and Applications (3)
OR
PHYS 464 Medical Instrumentation (4)
Choose one of the following:
BIOL 600 Team Project (4)
OR
BIOL 603 Biotechnology/Internship (3)
Electives (6-8 units)
The number of elective units will be dependent on required courses taken to total 23 units in the emphasis.
For Stem Cell Technology and Laboratory Management Emphasis (22-23 units)
Required Courses (19 units)
BIOL 502 Techniques in Genomics & Proteomics (3)
BIOL 510 Tissue Culture Techniques and Stem Cell Technology (3)
BIOL 511 Advanced Stem Cell Technology (3)
BIOL 512 Advanced Topics in Regenerative Medicine (1)
BIOL 513 Cell Culture Facility Management (3)
BIOL 602* Stem Cell Technology Internship (1.5 units X 4) (6)
*BIOL 602 course is offered quarterly at 1.5 units, which is repeatable for a total of 6 units for a yearlong project.
Electives (3-4 units)
A minimum of one course chosen from the elective courses for the Biotechnology Emphasis and/or from the required courses for the other emphases of the program.
Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement
Writing proficiency prior to the awarding of the degree is demonstrated by successful completion BIOL 504 with a grade of B or higher.Graduation Roadmap for MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
CAREERS
The program aims to prepare students for diverse careers in the Biotechnology/Bioinformatics sector. These careers include:Research positions in laboratories
Careers in regulation of drug approval and other biotechnology applications
Management positions in the biotechnology industry
Positions at companies that are investing in biotechnology
Working for law firms in the biotechnology area
Best Places to Work 2008: Industry (PDF 150 KB)
International Students (For F-1 Visa)
If you need to apply for the F-1 visa in order to enter the U.S., please visit the following web site for the international application procedure at http://ext.csuci.edu/international/. You can also contact the Center for International Affairs at international@csuci.edu via e-mail.
Admissions
Two-Step Process: University admission and Program admission
University Admission Requirements
4-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended
Earned GPA of at least 2.5 overall or earned GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted
Satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study
In unusual circumstances, a campus may make exceptions to these criteria.
Program Admissions Requirements
Applicants must have a BS/BA degree in Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Mathematics (If applicant holds a BS/BA degree in any other field and equivalent work experience in any of the above fields, they may be granted conditional admission)
GPA of at least 3.0 preferred in last 60 upper-division semester units (If under 3.0, cumulative GPA and other options, including test scores, may apply)
GRE or MCAT exam
Prerequisite courses (for those who do not hold a BS/BA degree in any of the above fields):
CHEM 110 Chemistry for Life
BIOL 201 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 300 Cell Biology
BIOL 400 Molecular Biology
Foundation Course Descriptions
Apply to the MS in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Program
To apply to the MS in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics program first you must apply through CSU Mentor at http://www.csumentor.edu/
After submitting your application through CSU Mentor, you must apply to the program by submitting all materials listed in our MS Biotechnology Application Checklist (PDF, 137.4 KB)
The MS in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics program requires two letters of recommendation. You may use our Letter of Recommendation form (PDF, 69.6 KB) or have your recommenders write a general recommendation letter.
Please submit all materials to our Extended University office at:
CSU Channel Islands Extended University
Sage Hall 2109
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA 93012
Deadlines
For domestic students:
Deadline to apply for spring 2012 has passed.
For Fall 2012:
CSU Mentor Application Deadline: July 1, 2012
Document Deadline: August 1, 2012
Intent to Enroll Due: September 1, 2012
For international students:
Deadline to apply for spring 2012 has passed.
Deadline to apply for fall 2012 is July 1, 2012
Contact & Further Information
For General Information:
(805) 437-2748
Ching-Hua Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of MS Biotechnology
& Bioinformatics Program
Dual degree Biology
(805) 437-8870
ching-hua.wang@csuci.edu
For more detailed information about the MS in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics degree, please visit their website at: http://biology.csuci.edu/bio_mos.htm
