Biotechnology
Please click on a link below to open a PDF version of the program handbook that corresponds with the chosen year.
2017 - 2018
2018 - 2019
2019 - 2020
2020 - 2021
2023 - 2024
Curious? Want to know more about the Master of Science in Biotechnology Program? You might find the answers you're looking for in our "Frequently Asked Questions." If you do have a question not listed here, please email
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I have an advance degree (MS or PhD) in science from an accredited institution, can the GRE be waived?
The program does not require GRE for admissions. For international applicants the graduate school requires a minimum of 6.5 on the IELTS.
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Can the GRE be waived in lieu of the MCAT, DAT or PCAT?
The program does not require GRE for admissions. For international applicants the graduate school requires a minimum of 6.5 on the IELTS.
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I have an advance degree from an institution overseas, can the GRE be waived?
Each case is to be considered individually. Please email your transcripts to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and follow up with a call (205-934-7382). -
What is the latest possible date that I can apply for admissions?
We have three application deadlines: One for enrollment in the fall term, one for enrollment in the spring term, and one for enrollment in the summer term. Please see the Admissions page for details.
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Can I have a part-time job while enrolling in the biotech program?
Due to the fast pace of the program and the time commitment required, most in-person students do not work and are discouraged from working while enrolled in the biotechnology program. However, students can have a job as long as it does not interfere with class attendance and the student’s ability to meet the requirements of the program. Meeting the requirements of the biotechnology program should remain the top priority for the student.
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What do students typically do after graduating from the program?
Of the 116 students that have enrolled in the program from 2009-2016, 113 have graduated. Of the graduates, 98 are in the workforce (90 in life science fields—60 of which are in the state of Alabama) and 10 went on to higher degrees in medicine, dentistry, PhD and PA.
The purpose of program evaluation is to systematically study, investigate and appraise the effectiveness of the Biotechnology Program in order to ensure that the program continues to provide a signature educational program that produces graduates who are prepared to be leaders in their field.
Graduate Statistics (2010-2016)
- Number of graduates: 113
- Number of graduates placed in Biotechnology-related jobs: 98
- Number of graduates in Life Sciences jobs: 90
- Number of graduates working in Alabama: 60
A master’s degree in biotechnology gives students the flexibility to pursue careers in research, academia, government, or industry because it combines both a research- and laboratory-based curriculum with hands-on application. Students learn how to take their research from the bench to the bedside, which is beneficial to many different types of careers.
Students entering UAB’s MS in Biotechnology program are typically split between those pursuing applied science careers and those who want to focus more on the business aspects of biotechnology. Because of the flexibility of the degree, there are numerous jobs that graduates could pursue with a master’s degree in biotechnology.
Biotechnology-Related Careers
- Biochemist
- Biophysicist
- Biotechnologist
- Director of Quality Control
- Food Scientist
- Forensic Scientist
- Microbiologist
- Process Development Scientist
- Product Development Technician
Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate
In addition to a Master of Science in Biotechnology, we also offer a Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs Certificate.
The curriculum consists of five online courses that can be completed at your own pace. The program will prepare and help you become eligible to take the Regulatory Affairs Certification test and will further set you apart in the biotechnology industry.
Visit the Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs Certificate page for more information.
The Biotechnology Program students learn the process of innovative thinking in three phases:
- Phase I - the students learn business and scientific principles through didactic lectures in the classroom.
- Phase II - the students learn how to apply these principles through hands on techniques that are centered around projects that work on problems that affect the world.
- Phase III - the students learn how these principles can be used to develop innovative solutions to problems through innovative and critical thinking skills at different internship sites at UAB and beyond.
Students can pursue an internship focused on the science or business aspects of biotechnology. Internships provide students with the opportunity to determine an area of interest, train in that area, identify and solve problems, and learn skills that can be applied to a future career in healthcare or the life sciences industry. In the past, students have pursued internships in the following areas:
Science Internship
Science internship sites provide experience in the following areas:
- High-Resolution Imaging
- Dermatology
- The Cancer Center
- Chemistry
- Dentistry
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mass Spectrometry
- Peptide Synthesis
- Diabetes Research and Training
- Behavioral Neurobiology
- Neuropathology
- Clinical Immunology
- Nephrology Research and Training
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Patient Outcomes Analytics
Business Internship
Business internship sites:
We support the arrangement of internships to a variety of local and state biotechnology and life science companies in addition to our collaborations with the following:
- The UAB Bill L. Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- The UAB Commercialization Accelerator
- The Innovation Depot
- Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology
- BioAlabama
The Master of Science in Biotechnology programs provide a more direct route to careers in the industry by focusing on mastering current biotechnology techniques and the business fundamentals necessary for successful product development.
This degree offers graduates of science programs a viable alternate path into practical and lucrative job tracks as opposed to programs that take longer to complete and are often too narrowly focused in specific disciplines.
The curricula for the MS in Biotechnology and Online MS in Biotechnology programs include a balance of foundational courses and practical application opportunities. Visit the Graduate Catalog to see the Current Curricula and Course Descriptions.
Application Deadlines:
Fall Term: August 1
Spring Term: December 1
Summer Term: April 1
Application Fees:
Domestic applicants and green card holders: $50
International applicants: $60
Instructions for Completing the Application
Prospective students can apply and begin in the fall, spring, or summer semester. Applications are submitted online through the UAB Graduate School. All admissions documents (test scores, transcripts, immigration documents, WES, etc.) must be sent to the UAB Graduate School.
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
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? Master’s Degree
- Intended program of study: Biotechnology
- Concentration: Not Applicable – Selected program does not offer concentrations
- Term: Fall 201X
Requirements
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Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or a 3.0 on the last 60 hours attempted.
- Completion of prerequisite courses with letter grades C or better.
- Completion of an interview with program faculty may be required.
- Complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Student Health Services (if accepted to program.)
-
Prerequisite Requirements
- Pre-calculus Algebra (or higher) - 3 hours
- General Chemistry I - 4 hours
- General Chemistry II - 4 hours
- Introductory Biology* - 4 hours
- Genetics* - 3 hours
*Courses equivalent or higher may be accepted for substitution at the discretion of the Program Director.
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International Requirements
International Students must submit a transcript evaluation from World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
The Graduate School now monitors English proficiency to make sure applicants meet our minimum scores which are listed below.
- IELTS – 6.5
- TOEFL – 80
- PTEA – 53
Other requirements include a financial affidavit of support and immigration documentation (if currently residing in the United States).
-
Essential Functions
In order to successfully complete the degree requirements for the Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, students must complete the academic and clinical practice requirements. Students must also meet the essential requirements in addition to the academic requirements. “Essential requirements are those physical abilities, mental abilities, skills, attitudes, and behaviors the students must evidence or perform at each stage of their education.” The absence of an essential requirement would fundamentally alter the program goals. The essential requirements include categories of observation, movement, communication, intellect, and behavior.
Observation
The student must be able to:
- Observe laboratory demonstrations in which biological (i.e., body fluids, culture samples, tissue sections, and cellular samples) specimens are tested for their biochemical, hematological, immunological, microbiological, and histochemical components.
- Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents, or chemical reaction products.
- Employ a clinical grade binocular microscope to discriminate among fine structural and color (hue, shading, and intensity) differences of microscopic specimens.
- Read and comprehend text, numbers, illustrations, and graphs displayed in print, on a projection screen, and on a video monitor.
Movement
The student must be able to:
- Move freely and safely about a laboratory.
- Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture.
- Travel to numerous clinical laboratory sites for practical experience.
- Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting, in confined spaces, over several hours.
- Maneuver phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to safely collect valid laboratory specimens from patients.
- Control laboratory equipment (i.e. pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures.
- Use an electronic keyboard (i.e. 101-key IBM computer keyboard) to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information.
Communication
The student must be able to:
- Read and comprehend technical and professional materials (i.e. textbooks, magazine and journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals).
- Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly perform laboratory test procedures.
- Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection (if applicable).
- Effectively, confidentially, and sensitively converse with patients regarding laboratory tests (if applicable).
- Communicate with faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other health care professionals verbally and in a recorded format (writing, typing, graphics, or telecommunication).
- Prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports, and take examinations within specified times.
Intellect
The student must:
- Possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism.
- Be able to exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.
Behavior
The student must:
- Be able to manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within faculty-defined time limits.
- Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.
- Be able to provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty (i.e. ambiguous test ordering, ambivalent test interpretation), emergent demands (i.e. “stat” test orders), and a distracting environment (i.e. high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).
- Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change.
- Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.
- Adapt to working with unpleasant biologicals.
- Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of health care professionals. Promotion of peers helps furnish a team approach to learning, task completion, problem solving, and patient care.
- Be honest, compassionate, ethical, and responsible. The student must be forthright about errors or uncertainty. The student must be able to critically evaluate her or his own performance, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve (i.e. participate in enriched educational activities). The student must be able to evaluate the performance of fellow students and tactfully offer constructive comments.
Application Review Process
After an application window has been opened, applications are reviewed at program deadlines.
Application Process
Application Deadlines:
February 28 - Early Admissions Deadline (International students are advised to meet this deadline.)
May 31 - Priority Consideration Deadline
August 1 - Regular Admissions Deadline
Application Fees:
Domestic applicants and green card holders: $50
International applicants: $60
Instructions for Completing the Application
Prospective students may apply at any time during the year; however, students begin program courses in either the fall or spring semester. Applications are submitted online through the UAB Graduate School. All admissions documents (test scores, transcripts, immigration documents, WES, etc.) must be sent to the UAB Graduate School.
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
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? Master’s Degree
- Intended program of study: Biotechnology
- Concentration: Not Applicable – Selected program does not offer concentrations
- Term: Fall 201X
Requirements
-
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or a 3.0 on the last 60 hours attempted.
- Completion of prerequisite courses with letter grades C or better.
- Completion of an interview with program faculty may be required.
- Complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Student Health Services (if accepted to program.)
-
Prerequisite Requirements
- Pre-calculus Algebra (or higher) - 3 hours
- General Chemistry I - 4 hours
- General Chemistry II - 4 hours
- Introductory Biology* - 4 hours
- Genetics* - 3 hours
*Courses equivalent or higher may be accepted for substitution at the discretion of the Program Director.
-
International Requirements
International Students must submit a transcript evaluation from World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
The Graduate School now monitors English proficiency to make sure applicants meet our minimum scores which are listed below.
- IELTS – 6.5
- TOEFL – 80
- PTEA – 53
Other requirements include a financial affidavit of support and immigration documentation (if currently residing in the United States).
-
Essential Functions
In order to successfully complete the degree requirements for the Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, students must complete the academic and clinical practice requirements. Students must also meet the essential requirements in addition to the academic requirements. “Essential requirements are those physical abilities, mental abilities, skills, attitudes, and behaviors the students must evidence or perform at each stage of their education.” The absence of an essential requirement would fundamentally alter the program goals. The essential requirements include categories of observation, movement, communication, intellect, and behavior.
Observation
The student must be able to:
- Observe laboratory demonstrations in which biological (i.e., body fluids, culture samples, tissue sections, and cellular samples) specimens are tested for their biochemical, hematological, immunological, microbiological, and histochemical components.
- Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents, or chemical reaction products.
- Employ a clinical grade binocular microscope to discriminate among fine structural and color (hue, shading, and intensity) differences of microscopic specimens.
- Read and comprehend text, numbers, illustrations, and graphs displayed in print, on a projection screen, and on a video monitor.
Movement
The student must be able to:
- Move freely and safely about a laboratory.
- Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds or patients seated in specimen collection furniture.
- Travel to numerous clinical laboratory sites for practical experience.
- Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting, in confined spaces, over several hours.
- Maneuver phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to safely collect valid laboratory specimens from patients.
- Control laboratory equipment (i.e. pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures.
- Use an electronic keyboard (i.e. 101-key IBM computer keyboard) to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information.
Communication
The student must be able to:
- Read and comprehend technical and professional materials (i.e. textbooks, magazine and journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals).
- Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly perform laboratory test procedures.
- Clearly instruct patients prior to specimen collection (if applicable).
- Effectively, confidentially, and sensitively converse with patients regarding laboratory tests (if applicable).
- Communicate with faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other health care professionals verbally and in a recorded format (writing, typing, graphics, or telecommunication).
- Prepare papers, prepare laboratory reports, and take examinations within specified times.
Intellect
The student must:
- Possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism.
- Be able to exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.
Behavior
The student must:
- Be able to manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within faculty-defined time limits.
- Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.
- Be able to provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty (i.e. ambiguous test ordering, ambivalent test interpretation), emergent demands (i.e. “stat” test orders), and a distracting environment (i.e. high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).
- Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change.
- Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.
- Adapt to working with unpleasant biologicals.
- Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of health care professionals. Promotion of peers helps furnish a team approach to learning, task completion, problem solving, and patient care.
- Be honest, compassionate, ethical, and responsible. The student must be forthright about errors or uncertainty. The student must be able to critically evaluate her or his own performance, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve (i.e. participate in enriched educational activities). The student must be able to evaluate the performance of fellow students and tactfully offer constructive comments.
Application Review Process
After an application window has been opened, applications are reviewed at program deadlines.