Texas Tech University

Master's in Biotechnology

Several graduate-level offerings are available at the Center for Biotechnology and Genomics.

1. Master of Science in Biotechnology

This multi-disciplinary degree program is designed primarily for students who do not want to pursue a typical academic program. These students might be gap students who wish to enhance their graduate credentials on their way to professional degree programs such as medical school, veterinary school, business school, and law school.

Students will complete 30 credit hours of coursework:

  • 18 credit hours of required core courses including a capstone course
  • 12 credit hours of approved courses throughout the university

This MS program can be completed in one year.

2. Master of Science in Biotechnology with Research Concentration

This is a multidisciplinary program designed as a traditional graduate degree program. Students pursuing the “Research” MS in Biotechnology are likely to continue their graduate education at the doctoral level, or to acquire the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to pursue employment in academic, commercial, and government laboratories.

Two options are available within this program:

  1. Research Concentration in Life Sciences
  2. Research Concentration in Bioinformatics

Students will complete a total of 38 credit hours of activity:

  • 20 credit hours of coursework (required and electives) in the first two semesters
  • 18 credits hours of research leading to an MS thesis, or a research internship in an academic, commercial, or government environment

This MS program will require two years for completion.

3. Biotechnology Certificate Programs

Certificate Courses in Biotechnology and allied subjects are designed to meet the needs of participants seeking short-term education in order to join the workforce in the biotechnology industry or to enhance their career prospects with specialized training.

At the Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, we currently offer two graduate level certification programs:

1. Graduate Certification in Biotechnology

  • Students will complete the 12-credit course requirements (3 core courses + 1 elective)
  • The Graduate Certification can be completed in one semester.

2. Online Certificate Program in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics

  • Students will complete a 9-credit hour requirement taking three courses (all online)
    • Bioinformatics: Methodologies and Applications
    • Biostatistics in Nutrition
    • Biocomputing (BioPython and Bioconductor)

Admission Requirements

Students applying for this program should have a Bachelor's degree in the sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or other related fields.). Undergraduate coursework in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology are necessary for success in the CBG's graduate programs.

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and above is required.  While there is currently no GRE cutoff-score, the higher the score, the greater the chances that your application will be competitive and enhance your chances of admission. Texas Tech is committed to a holistic evaluation of applicants to its graduate programs, and students who do not meet these criteria will not be automatically excluded. Prospective students should include three reference letters with their application to graduate school.

Writing Sample: Applicants will include within their applications, a one-page, single-spaced, essay typed in 12 point, Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins, on the topic, "Biotechnology in the 21st Century."

Statement of Purpose – a two-page long essay on why an applicant is interested in biotechnology, how his or her current and past education and experience are preparations for an MS degree in biotechnology, and why specifically, the TTU biotechnology program.

We have a rolling application deadline.  It has been extended beyond the March 1st deadline prescribed by the Graduate School.

However, applications received before March 1st have a better chance of consideration for financial support.

We strongly encourage all international students to apply before May 31st.

To apply for any of the CBG programs, visit the Graduate School's application website: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/howtoapply.php

For more information about tuition, visit: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/financial/tuition.php

You can also access a tuition estimate calculator at the following link: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/feeInfo/tuition-estimator.php

For further information about CBG degrees or the Applied Sciences track, please contact Dr. J.N. Tripathy at Jatindra.N.Tripathy@ttu.edu or call (806) 834-1837.

For Fall; Required Core Courses

  • BTEC 5301 Introduction to Biotechnology
  • BTEC 5338 Methods in Biotechnology
  • BTEC 5322 Bioinformatics: Methodologies and Applications
  • BTEC 5001 Scientific Communication

For Spring; Electives

  • BTEC 5311 Protein Engineering
  • BTEC 5312 Gene Expression Analysis
  • BTEC 5313 Experimental Mass Spectrometry in Biotechnology
  • BTEC 5340 Advanced Instrumentation Techniques in Biotechnology
  • BTEC 5333 Advanced Bioinformatics (Required for Bioinformatics Concentration)
  • NS 5342 Biostatistics in Nutrition (Required for Bioinformatics Concentration)
  • BTEC 5414 Advanced Plant Biotechnology

For Second Year (Research Concentration); One of the following:

  • BTEC 6000 Master's Thesis
  • BTEC 6001 Biotechnology Internship
  • BTEC 7000 Research in Biotechnology

Center for Biotechnology & Genomics