Biotechnology
Departmental Websites: Biotechnology Center
07-08
Biotechnology is the high technology field that applies basic knowledge in biology and materials of biological origin to the development of products and processes with practical applications. Although the basis of biotechnology is in molecular biology, its practice is highly interdisciplinary. Chemists and chemical engineers play essential roles in the design and development of processes, and applications are developed by workers in medicine, agriculture, pharmaceutical science, environmental science, and other fields.
The M.S. Program. The Master of Science degree in Biotechnology is administered in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology. The program stresses both theory and current laboratory practice in molecular biology and other central areas of biotechnology. The Biotechnology M.S. is Plan B, based on course work. Although students may complete a substantial number of laboratory courses and spend a research period in a university or industrial laboratory, no research thesis is required. Students are prepared for challenging positions in industry and for entry into Ph.D. programs.
Entering students’ undergraduate training should be in science, with biology, chemistry, and chemical engineering especially appropriate. A complete description of the program with recommended preparation and instructions for applying may be obtained from Ms. René Bruce, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Unit 3125, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3125. Telephone: (860) 486-4329. E-mail: <rene.bruce@uconn.edu>.