We are proud of our growing community of research students. Our PhD in Biotechnology students enhance the scientific output across UAB and with our research partners. Our students are at the heart of our research-intensive mission and are being equipped to excel in the academic sphere, in science, and in industry.
Our students are also the heart of our program. They can tell you first-hand what makes our PhD so special, what type of student will succeed, and anything else you need to know about choosing UAB and succeeding in the Biotechnology PhD program.
Each of our PhD students works on a personal project where they are simultaneously developing research solutions and marketing plans. They are developing product prototypes and generating “proof-of-concept” data. And they are conducting clinical trial design, development, and implementation. It is just another exciting reason why our program is so strong.
To learn more about our students and our program, please click any item below.
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Student Projects
Ahmed Abdelgawad
Amy Brady
Virginia Brown
Logan Mavar
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Why biotechnology?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students why they chose this field. They discuss the proactive nature where instead of just sitting in a lab all day, you are also working within the industry to get your discoveries developed and delivered to those in need.
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Why UAB?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students why they chose UAB. They discuss the collaborative research environment at a world-class medical research university and more - including the Southern hospitality found on campus and around Birmingham.
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What makes this program unique?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students why this program is unique. They discuss how it differs from a traditional PhD program in many ways, including creating your own business while a student.
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Who would make a good student?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students who would be a good fit for this program. They discuss those who are innovators with a passion for science who want to take their bench research to the business world.
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What are the essential attributes needed?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students what are essential attributes that define them and their classmates. The answers they deliver provide a strong picture of what is required to succeed in this program.
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How does this program prepare you?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students how the program has prepared them so far. They discuss seeing research through an entrepreneurial lens with business plans, funding strategies, pitch presentations and more.
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What have you learned in year one?
We asked our PhD in Biotechnology students what they have learned in their first year as students. They discuss the mixture of science, business, regulatory affairs and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biotechnology industry is poised to see 17% national job growth between 2020 and 2030 with the current median pay for a doctoral degree scientist at $91,510.00 or more per year.
Our graduates will enter the workforce prepared to develop and commercialize technology with the talent needed for an innovation-based economy that fuels the biotechnology industry.
Industry Positions
- Medical scientist
- Clinical technician
- Chemical operator
- Biomedical equipment technician
- Biomedical engineer
- Microbiologist
- DNA analyst
- Biostatistician
Upon completion of didactic course work, students will be expected to pass a competency examination relevant to laboratory and lecture courses before they can transition to internships and dissertation work. This examination will be comprised of written, oral, and practical components and generally will be completed in semester seven (7).
Program Completion Requirements
- Credit hours required in program core courses: 27
- Credit hours in additional required courses: 30
- *(9 of these 30 hours are elective or certificate courses)
- Credit hours in required research courses: 27
- Total credit hours required for completion: 84
Options/Concentrations
Students will have the option of completing either the existing Biotechnology Regulatory Graduate Certificate or the Technology Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Graduate Certificate, concurrently with the doctoral degree. These certificates are available through the School of Health Professions and the Collat School of Business, respectively. Students who do not wish to pursue a certificate may choose other elective course options as approved by their mentors to maintain full-time status.
Courses
Click here for a printable version of the course list.
To see the official course list for the PhD in Biotechnology program, please visit the UAB Graduate Catalog.
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Core Required
BT 795. Commercialization Strategies. 3 hours. (Take 3 Times)
Focus on growth of a biotechnology company from inception through the early stages of development. Topics will include market assessment, business plan development, raising capital, and regulatory and quality systems requirements for drugs, biologics, medical devices or combination products. This series of courses also include a focus is on the issues and challenges affecting the life cycle of a biotechnology company and product as it progresses through the different stages of development including regulatory strategies, financing strategies, business development, and marketing strategies.
BT 701. Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology I. 3 hours.
A study of prokaryotic systems focusing on structures, functions and replicative processes with particular emphasis on the systems that are used in the Biotechnology Industry, especially bacteria. The students will learn the central dogma in prokaryotes from DNA replication to transcription and translation and the sorting of proteins to various destinations using different transport systems. Bacterial enzymes, including restrictions endonucleases, will be examined and the use of these enzymes to develop innovative products for the life science industry.
BT 702. Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology II. 3 hours.
A study of the principles of cellular and molecular biology using innovative life science technologies to demonstrate the biological mechanisms that were used to develop these products. General topics will include DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA Transcription, Posttranscriptional Modifications, Translation, and Posttranslational Modifications. Existing technologies will be discussed under the appropriate topic in order to enable the students to see how a particular biological process leads to the development of a number of innovative technologies.
BT 725. Creating a Biotechnology Venture. 3 hours.
This course will provide an in-depth look at starting a new biotechnology company. Specifically, the course will provide a roadmap for starting a company with an overview of the challenges and opportunities that biotechnology start-ups face.
BT 730. Managing and Leadership in Biotechnology. 3 hours.
This course will focus on leadership skills, communication, conflict resolution and organizational structures specific to biotechnology companies.
BT 732. Financing a Biotechnology Venture. 3 hours.
This course is designed to provide students with limited knowledge in finance the ability to understand the financial basics that are unique to running a biotechnology company from inception through commercialization.
BT 750. Lab Rotation. 1 hour.
BT 751. Lab Rotation. 1 hour.
BT 752. Lab Rotation. 1 hour.
Series of three laboratory rotations completed during the first two years of graduate study. Each laboratory rotation is 8-12 weeks in duration, and will be designed to allow the student to explore a potential avenue of research for their dissertation and project deliverable.
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Additional Required
BT 675. Special Topics. 2-3 hours.
GRD 717. Principles of Scientific Integrity. 3 hours.
Surveys ethical issues and principles in the practice of science. This course is comprised of online modules that the student completes autonomously, then the student attends a one-day workshop and participates in activities and case studies regarding the content learned through the modules. Offered every semester.
GBS 716. Grantsmanship and Scientific Writing. 2-3 hours.
The objective of the course is to teach students how to effectively write grant proposals. This course will provide hands on training in the preparation of a grant application and demonstrate effective strategies for assembling a successful proposal. With guidance from the faculty, the students will write a NIH style proposal on their dissertation research topic. After the proposal is complete, each grant will be reviewed in a mock NIH study section. Based on the comments from the study section, the student will revise the application and submit the proposal to his/her thesis committee as part of the qualifying examination for admittance into candidacy.
GBS 701. Core Concepts in Research: Critical Thinking & Error Analysis. 1 hour.
Do you love to "think science"? Would you enjoy looking at scientific questions through an unusual lens? Do you find stories about scientific discoveries fascinating, and would you like to learn more about what they mean to our scientific practice? Then this course is for you! This course examines the natural and philosophical foundations of science using an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes critical thinking and storytelling; discusses the principles of good scientific practice (rigor, reproducibility and responsibility; the 3R's) - by exploring revolutionary discoveries in the life, public health and natural sciences; elaborates the relationship between theory, practice and serendipity in scientific discovery, and concludes with a discussion of the role of scientists in society.
BT 745. Research Design and Statistics for Biotechnology. 3 hours.
Issues of contemporary research design and methods in biotechnology; focus on translational research and areas of controversy; application of statistical software with emphasis on interpretation of findings for decision support.
BT 740. Seminar / Journal Club. 1 hour.
Assigned readings, student presentations, and discussion, of current literature and development activity in the life sciences and biotechnology industries. (Take 3 times)
BT 753. Advanced Applications in Biotechnology. 3 hours.
A lab course that will teach the students the basic molecular techniques that are used in research from bacterial culture to gene regulation. These techniques will be taught under the umbrella of a research project which will involve the cloning of a mammalian gene into an expression vector, its purification, sequencing, transfection into a mammalian cell host and the detection of the protein product. The techniques used will include PCR, cloning, transformation, plasmid isolation, DNA sequencing, transfection and protein detection using immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques.
BTR 605. Biotechnology Regulatory & Quality Systems. 3 hours.
U.S. and European Union regulatory affairs frameworks and practices governing the development, approval, manufacturing and surveillance of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, including in vitro diagnostic products. Regulations covered include investigational new drug applications (IND), new drug applications (NDA), good laboratory practices (GLP), good clinical practices (GCP) and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).
*Nine (9) additional hours in suggested electives and/or certificate requirements must be taken to equal 30 hours of additional required courses (see list of Suggested Electives).
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Non Dissertation / Dissertation Research
BT 798. Non-dissertation Research. 1 – 9 hours.
Independent student research to prepare dissertation proposal. Mentored by appointed Graduate Study Committee. Continuous registration is required until student is admitted to candidacy. Note: no more than 12 hours count in degree requirements.
BT 799. Dissertation Research. 1 – 18 hours.
Independent student research to complete dissertation project and written report. Mentored by appointed Graduate Study Committee. Must be admitted to doctoral candidacy. NOTE: Must have 2 semesters before graduation; Minimum of 12 hours.
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Suggested Electives
BT 607. Recombinant DNA. 3 hours.
Introductory course for the basic concepts of R-DNA with emphasis on the types of enzymes and vectors used and the various methods of cloning and expression of genes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. – To be developed post-implementation.
BT 770. Drug Discovery. 3 hours.
Overview of pharmaceutical development from target identification through pre-clinical development; focus on small molecule and biological products. – To be developed post-implementation.
BT 772. Medicinal Chemistry. 3 hours.
Comprehensive overview of concepts related to actions and clinical uses of major classes of drugs from their chemical structures; focus on structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. – To be developed post-implementation.
BT 797. Independent Study. 1 – 3 hours.
Student exploration of topic specific to their research agenda.
BTR 615. Clinical Development of Drugs, Biologics, Diagnostics, and Medical Devices. 3 hours.
Major concepts under which clinical trials are designed and run. Focus on phases of clinical trial development, role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Institutional Review Boards, and the Code of Federal Regulations and ethical principles.
BTR 620. Regulation of Food and Drugs. 3 hours.
Administrative procedures followed by the FDA; enforcement activities of the FDA, including searches, seizure actions, injunctions, criminal prosecutions, and civil penalties authorized by statutes.
BTR 640. Clinical Development of Drugs, Biologics, Diagnostics, and Medical Devices. 3 hours.
Major concepts under which clinical trials are designed and run. Focus on phases of clinical trial development, role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Institutional Review Boards, and the Code of Federal Regulations and ethical principles.
BTR 675. Special Topics in Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs. 1-4 hours.
Exploration of current issues in Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs.
BTR 690. Clinical Trial Implementation. 3 hours.
Activities involved in running a clinical trial from study initiation to study close-out. Complex details and issues associated with study initiation, site and data management, preparation of the final report and study close-out.
GBS 753. Intro to Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2-3 hours.
Students taking this course will be expected to have a thorough understanding of normal and abnormal organ system function as discussed in the three-modules described above. Lectures will build on that foundation to cover recent advances in drug design and development based on approaches of molecular pharmacology and molecular medicine. In addition, drug targeting strategies that take advantage of specificity in cellular structure and cell signaling processes will also be discussed.
GBS 728. JC- Bio-Nano Technology. 1 hour.
This journal club will focus on the use of biological materials as paradigms, structural scaffolds, and active elements of nanoscale materials.
GBS 762. Virology. 2-3 hours.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the general steps involved in viral lifecycles and use this knowledge as a framework for understanding the similarities and differences in the lifecycles of (+) and (-) stranded RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and retroviruses. The course also covers the role of viruses in oncogenesis, the origin and evolution of viruses, the innate immune response to viral infections, and the development of antiviral chemotherapeutics. The goal of the course is to provide a strong foundation for advanced virology classes and to provide students with enough background in virology to be comfortable teaching in a college level microbiology class.
PhD in Biotechnology Program
The PhD in Biotechnology is a new program that effectively combines biological and scientific knowledge and concepts with the legal, regulatory, marketing, and financial aspects of the life sciences industry with the expectation of students launching or joining a biotechnology company after program completion.
Students will have the option of working on their own idea for a product/technology or working on projects identified through the UAB Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (HIIE) and/or through our partnership with Southern Research (SR).
Southern Research helps ensure that student-developed companies will be poised for growth, provide a range of new job opportunities, and spur economic development in the Birmingham region.
Program Benefits
- Graduates will be highly competitive for a variety of for- and not-for-profit jobs in the life sciences industry.
- Preparation to apply for a patent, and to pursue a licensing or commercialization strategy as part of their dissertation work, and to launch a biotechnology company.
- Blends traditional scholarly research and pedagogy with practicum-based learning, providing unique, and highly marketable skillsets.
- Obtain the knowledge and skills needed to successfully conduct and evaluate research within the setting of a biotechnology company.
- Learn biotechnology economics, regulatory affairs, how to launch a biotechnology company, and the finance skills needed to advance a biotechnology product and company.
Partners
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Southern Research
The PhD program in Biotechnology is partnered with Southern Research (SR), a translational scientific research organization headquartered in Birmingham next to the UAB campus. With more than 400 scientists and engineers across various industries, students will train and learn from world-renowned biotechnology professionals. Real-world problems are addressed through the discovery and development of novel, innovative products, and technologies.
The areas of expertise offered to doctoral candidates span the drug discovery and development pipeline, including virtual and high throughput screening, assay development, enzyme and cellular assays, medicinal, analytical, and computational chemistry, structural biology, disease animal models in various therapeutic areas (oncology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, and bacteriology), and toxicology studies.
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Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
UAB Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (HIIE) fosters an entrepreneurial community and innovative ecosystem at UAB and provides the infrastructure required for faculty, staff, and students to commercialize innovation within the region and beyond.
The HIIE serves as the university hub for innovations developed by UAB faculty and staff and helps create business relationships between UAB faculty and commercial entities. These relationships foster development of products from discoveries, inventions, and research generated on campus which often leads to licensing agreements that grant commercial entities rights to develop those technologies.
Biotechnology PhD
Please click on a link below to open a PDF version of the program handbook that corresponds with the chosen year.
2023 - 2024
Application Process
Application Deadlines:
Students are admitted in the Fall semester each year only. Applications must be submitted through the UAB graduate school online application portal. Applications must be “complete” status by the deadline for the application to be considered.
Deadline: March 1st for each Fall cohort.
Domestic applicants click here. International applicants click here.
Application Fees:
The UAB Graduate School standard fee is $50 for domestic applicants and $60 for international applicants.
Application Instructions
Prospective students must complete applications by deadlines listed above. Program courses will begin in the Fall semesters.
All applications and application documents must be submitted online through the UAB Graduate School.
Required Application Items:- Personal Statement
- Resume or Curriculum Vita
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts
- WES Evaluation for international applicants
- English Proficiency Scores for International applicants
- Application Fee
- All required documents complete in UAB system
- Prior research experience preferred but not required
Official transcripts from each institution where college credit was received can be mailed to:
UAB Graduate School
LHL G03, 1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
For UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. send to:
UAB Graduate School
LHL G03, 1700 University Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
Transcripts can be submitted electronically by choosing University of Alabama at Birmingham - Graduate Admission or using the email
Example for Completing Application:
- For which of the following are you applying? Doctor of Philosophy
- Intended program of study: Biotechnology
- Concentration: Not Applicable – Selected program does not offer concentrations
- Term: Fall 202X
Requirements
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Submission Requirements
1. Personal Statement - Use this component to tell the admissions committee about yourself, your research experience, the area of research you are interested in, why you want a PhD, which researchers at UAB you are interested in, etc. This would also be the place to address any gaps or inconsistencies in your timeline. We recommend uploading all documents as PDFs to maintain formatting.
2. Resume or Curriculum Vita - Include relevant research experience, publications, presentations, awards, etc.
3. Three (3) Letters of recommendation – Letters should be submitted by professionals who are in a position to provide appropriate input with a thorough knowledge on the applicants academic ability and potential to succeed in the Biotechnology PhD program.
4. OFFICIAL Transcripts – For the initial application review, we can accept unofficial transcripts (if from an institution outside the US, they must be WES evaluated). If offered admission, we will then require official documents. Submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including community colleges and high school dual-enrollment. If you have any questions about international transcripts or documentation, please contact International Admissions (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).5. WES evaluation – for international applicant transcripts
6. English proficiency score minimums for international students:
- TOEFL - 80
- IELTS - 6.5
- PTEA - 53
- IELA - 176
- Duolingo - 120
*Scores must not be more than two (2) years old.
7. Online application including all required documents must be “complete in the UAB system” to be considered for review
8. Scientific research or life science / biotechnology industry research experience highly recommended, but not required with excellent undergraduate/master’s level academic performance.
For more Information visit: https://www.uab.edu/gradadmissions/apply. Selected students will also be required to complete an interview with the faculty before final acceptance into the program.
The following items are NOT required for submission:
- Scientific research or life science / biotechnology industry research experience highly recommended but not required.
- GRE scores not required
- Master of Science Degree not required
- No specific course requirements but scientific background preferred
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Course Requirements
Program requirements for course work may exceed the Graduate School minimum but may not be less than the Graduate School minimum. Applicants must follow the biotechnology program curriculum plan as advised by the program director.
Program Completion Requirements
Credit hours required in program core courses: 27
Credit hours in additional required courses: 30*
*(9 of these 30 hours are elective or certificate courses)
Credit hours in required research courses: 27
Total credit hours required for completion: 84
Application Review Process
After an application window has been opened, applications are reviewed at program deadlines. Selected students under consideration will also be required to complete an interview with the faculty before final acceptance into the program. Students will be notified by email if selected for interview.
PhD in Biotechnology
The PhD in Biotechnology program is a completely new approach to doctoral learning.
Designed to train a robust life sciences workforce, the program will create new opportunities for commercialization and entrepreneurship by producing student-founded biotechnology startups.
Graduates will gain the knowledge and technical skills needed to develop innovative biotechnology products, technologies, and solutions that will improve community quality-of-life, and standards of clinical care. Students will explore small molecule therapeutics, biologics, theranostics, diagnostics, devices, and more.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn the entrepreneurial skills needed to successfully start and grow a biotechnology start-up or join an established organization.
Students will learn:
- Development and implementation of a business plan
- How to build strong teams, solicit funding, and execute a commercialization strategy
- The ability to develop product prototypes and generate “proof-of-concept” data, including clinical trial design, development, and implementation
- Business analysis, ethics, and scientific communication
- Executive level skills to prepare for biotechnology professions
Why Biotechnology?
- The majority of PhD graduates work in the life sciences industry.
- Learn to run your own biotechnology business.
- Biotech careers are versatile and can be found in almost every industry, including agriculture, energy, biomedical devices, and environmental.
- Gain the Biotechnology and administrative skills that will set you apart.
- Use your Biotechnology degree as the next step in your professional or medical career.
Apply Today
Use the online Graduate School application to apply to the PhD in Biotechnology Program.
Domestic (U.S.) applicants click here. International applicants click here.
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