Admission Requirements for Biotechnology Science & Engineering

APPLY FOR GRADUATE ADMISSION

In addition to fulfilling admission requirements set by Graduate School, applicants must also have:

  • A bachelor's degree in science or engineering from an approved college or university;
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 overall or 2.75 overall and 3.0 over the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate and graduate credit;
  • For international students, a language score meeting the following minimums:
    • TOEFL: all sub-scores greater than or equal to 18 OR
    • IELTS: all sub-scores greater than or equal to 6.0

Applicants may be admitted conditionally if they do not meet these requirements but indicate the potential for success in the Biotechnology Science and Engineering program. Applicants must have knowledge from coursework in the areas of general biology, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, general and organic chemistry, physics and calculus to satisfy the prerequisites of calculus-based physical or biophysical chemistry. Students with deficiencies in any of these areas may be admitted conditionally pending remedy of the deficiencies.

Background

You can learn more about the biotechnology faculty and their interests at on this site. You can also find a description of the program and of some of the courses at this site. If you haven't had Biochemistry, Genetics and a full year of Calculus as an undergraduate, you should address these deficiencies as soon as possible. It is possible to take some of the Biotechnology courses without being formally accepted into the program. Students in the masters program in Biological Sciences, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering can take many of the Biotechnology courses. It is also possible to take up to 12 credit hours as an unclassified graduate student.

Application Process

  • Apply by February 1 to be admitted for the Fall semester in the same year. Please also upload your assistantship application under documents in the application.
  • You will be sent a questionnaire regarding your research experience and interests. Please complete and return the questionnaire. Due February 15.
  • You should obtain a response to your application by April 1.
  • Acceptances become binding after April 15. For further details see the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants.
  • Acceptances are due May 15 or 30 days from after the date of offer, whichever comes later.

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid include:

  • Competitive Scholarships
  • Corporate Sponsorships
  • Teaching Assistantships
  • Research Assistantships

The Biotechnology Ph.D. program itself has a limited number of one-year Hudson fellowships, its member departments have a number of teaching assistantships (GTAs), and its faculty members support a number of students with research assistantships (GRAs). Students can support themselves by winning competitive scholarships or fellowships (or by having deep pockets). A typical student might be a Hudson fellow for one year, a GTA for one year, and a GRA for three years. An exceptional student might come in with his or her own fellowship or might obtain such a fellowship during their first year. 

The UAH Graduate School has information about:

  • Assistantships
  • Fellowships
  • Frequently asked questions

For Major, Highly Competitive Graduate School Fellowships in Biology and Biotechnology, visit:

For Minority Graduate School Fellowships, visit:

For more Fellowship Lists and search services, visit:

Many countries have programs to help their citizens study abroad. If you are a foreign national, inquire about this possibility.