WHY PURSUE AN MS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY / BIOTECHNOLOGY?
A Message from program director Dr. Ed Stellwag
Dear Prospective Student,
ECU’s Biotechnology Education Program, which includes both undergraduate courses and a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, is proud of our legacy of providing ECU students with a rigorous and well-rounded education in biotechnology. We believe our educational program is second to none in terms of fully preparing you for one of the many career opportunities available in biotechnology today. Our record of achievement is highlighted by the many graduates of our program who are pursuing active and rewarding careers in all facets of the biotechnology industry including management, research, development and sales.
We understand that the opportunities in biotechnology for well educated students are significant. The continued growth of biotechnology is evident throughout the nation and particularly in North Carolina, where employment increases in the biotechnology sector exceed 10% annually. The robust growth in employment in all sectors of biotechnology provides extensive career opportunities at all levels of the educational spectrum, including undergraduate and post-graduate university students.
Technological advancements stemming from biotechnology are already addressing some of our society’s most urgent needs. The ready availability of an increasing number of recombinant human blood proteins is having a profound effect on critical health care issues and developments in plant biotechnology are addressing important agricultural needs of our nation and the world. Future developments in biotechnology, including stem cell technology, biosensors, recombinant vaccines, and biofuels promise to extend these advancements into areas of tissue regeneration, national security, energy resources and sustainable agriculture.
If you are interested in preparing yourself for an exciting career on the forefront of technology, you should seriously consider the ECU Biotechnology Education Program.
Sincerely,
Edmund J. Stellwag, Ph.D.
Director
BASIC COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are assumed to have had coursework or equivalent training in genetics, microbiology, and basic molecular technology. If accepted but lacking suitable preparation in any of these subjects, the student will be required to make up the deficiencies by taking appropriate coursework with the approval to the Director of Graduates Studies.
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Core Courses ( 12 semester hours) Credit Hours
Principles of Biochemistry I & Lab (BIOL 5800/ 5821) 3 / 1
Introduction to Research (BIOL 6880) 2
Thesis (BIOL 7000) 3
Plus ONE of the following:
Molecular Biology of the Gene (BIOL 5870) 3
Molecular Genetics (BIOL 7870) 3
Additional Required Courses. Students must take TWO of the following lecture & lab courses:
Biotechniques and Laboratory (BIOL 5900 / 5901) 2 / 3
Protein Purification Techniques (BIOL 6250 / 6251) 4 / 0
Cell Culture & Hybridoma Technology (BIOL 7180 / 7181) 3 / 0
Cell Biology (BIOL7480 / 7481) 4 / 0
Elective Courses. Choose from the remaining courses to meet the minimum total number of semester hours required for the degree (30 s.h.). Course descriptions can be obtained from the Graduate Catalog, which can be accessed on-line at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/grcat/coursesbiology.cfm BIOL 5260, 5261, 5510, 5511, 5520, 5521, 5890, , 5930, 5931, 6030, 6082, 6083, 6100, 6120, 6200, 6230, 6231, 6504, 6514, 6992, 6993, 7080, 7190, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7213, 7880, 7881, 7890, 7895.
