Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology

The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is designed for students with a bachelor's degree who wish to obtain advanced-level training in fields of biology related to biotechnology without necessarily earning a master's degree. This program caters to students with a variety of interests, including biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology, developmental biology, or molecular evolution.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology program, students must apply to the Biotechnology Certificate Program. Admission requires enrollment in the graduate program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, either as non-degree students or as master's students. For those seeking a master's degree with a Biotechnology Certificate, acceptance into both the Master's degree program in Biology and the Biotechnology Certificate Program is necessary. Non-degree students applying to the certificate program will earn only the certificate upon completion. A minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate coursework is required for admission, along with undergraduate courses in genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry as minimum course prerequisites.

Program Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to remain in the certificate program. The certificate is awarded upon completion of the required courses. Students enrolled in the Master's program can simultaneously earn a graduate degree and count the appropriate courses toward the Biotechnology Certificate. The biotechnology certificate requires 18 credit hours of coursework.

Core Requirements

• Biology 6615: Advanced Biotechnology Laboratory II
• Biology 6602: Advanced Molecular Biology or Biology 6612: Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (If both Group II courses are taken, one may be used as elective credit)
• The remaining 11 credit hours must be taken from the following electives:
  • Biology:
    • BIOL 4712: Biochemistry
    • BIOL 4842: Immunobiology
    • BIOL 5069: Topics in Cellular and Molecular Biology
    • BIOL 6550: Advanced Bacterial Pathogenesis
    • BIOL 6612: Advanced Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (if not taken as a required course)
    • BIOL 6622: Advanced Molecular Biology of the Cell
    • BIOL 6632: Advanced Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
    • BIOL 6642: Advanced Plant Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering
    • BIOL 6652: Advanced Virology
    • BIOL 6699: Graduate Internship in Biotechnology
    • BIOL 6889: Graduate Seminar, when relevant
    • BIOL 6915: Graduate Research Practicum
    • BIOL 6920: Topics in Biology, when relevant
  • Chemistry:
    • CHEM 4722: Advanced Biochemistry
    • CHEM 4733: Biochemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM 4772: Physical Biochemistry