Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University

The Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University is a Full Time Master program offered at the university's main campus in Greenville , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 2 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on August 21, 2027.

About Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

The master of science in molecular biology and biotechnology is a 30-semester-hour thesis program, which includes research in developmental biology, genetics, and cell physiology. The program is known for its rigorous, well-rounded training in biology. Faculty in the program continue to innovate their teaching methods and refine the curriculum to provide the best training for their students.

The thesis-based MS degree provides training and experience in communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and integrating information derived from multiple sources. These are highly marketable skills in their own right, and they equip you with a tool set necessary for accomplishment and success in virtually any professional endeavor.

Approximately $10,000 in assistantship support covering the fall and spring semesters is competitively available to students entering the program. An additional $2,500 is available during the summer through a combination of teaching and research assistantships and departmental resources. In addition, a limited number of Graduate Scholar Awards of $4,000 per year, awarded through the Graduate School, have been available in the past for the strongest applicants.

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Program Coordinator: Michael Brewer (2503 Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building; 252-328-1833; [email protected])

Program participants develop competency in genetics, biochemistry, and basic molecular technology as preparation for employment in industry or continuation to a terminal degree program.

The degree requires a minimum of 30 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 21-23 s.h.

BIOL 6880 - Introduction to Research
BIOL 6881 - Introduction to Research II
BIOL 7100 - Foundations in Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology
BIOL 7101 - Laboratory Methods in Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology
BIOL 7900 - Ecological Statistics

a. Literature requirement (2-4 s.h.)

Select two courses from the following:

BIOL 6100 - Advances in Molecular Biology
BIOL 6120 - Advances in Molecular Biology
BIOL 6130 - Advances in Developmental Biology
BIOL 7130 - Current Literature in Development Biology
BIOL 7890 - Current Literature in Molecular Biology
BIOL 7895 - Current Literature in Cell Biology

b. Thesis requirement (6 s.h.)

BIOL 7000 - Thesis (3 s.h.)
BIOL 7000

2. Electives - 7-9 s.h.

Select electives from the below list:

BIOL 5890 - Virology
BIOL 5900 - Biotechniques
BIOL 5901 - Biotechniques Laboratory
BIOL 6030 - Topics in Cell Biology
BIOL 6230 - Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology
BIOL 6231 - Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology
BIOL 6240 - Principles of Biochemistry I
BIOL 6242 - Principles of Biochemistry II
BIOL 6244 - Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 6250 - Protein Purification Techniques
BIOL 6251 - Protein Purification Techniques Laboratory
BIOL 6300 - Neurophysiology
BIOL 6504 - Research Problems in Biology
BIOL 6514 - Research Problems in Biology
BIOL 6560 - Microbial Ecology
BIOL 6992 - Internship in Applied Biology
BIOL 6993 - Internship in Applied Biology
BIOL 7080 - Molecular Endocrinology
BIOL 7090 - Experimental Embryology
BIOL 7091 - Experimental Embryology Laboratory
BIOL 7190 - Immunology II
BIOL 7210 - Transgenic Methodology and Application
BIOL 7211 - Transgenic Methodology and Application Laboratory
BIOL 7212 - Gene Targeting and Knockout Animals
BIOL 7213 - Gene Targeting and Knockout Animals Laboratory
BIOL 7240 - The Evolution of Genes and Genomes
BIOL 7480 - Cell Biology
BIOL 7481 - Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL 7781 - Bioinformatics
BIOL 7870 - Molecular Genetics
BIOL 7875 - Plant Molecular Biology
BIOL 7880 - Bioinformatics
BIOL 7950 - Preparing for the Job Market
BIOL 7970 - Teaching Natural Science in Higher Education

Notes:

A minimum of 3 s.h. must come from a course that is not research problems or an internship (BIOL 6504, 6514, 6992, 6993).
Additional courses may be selected as electives upon approval of the graduate director and candidate's advisor.
Internship credit (2-5 s.h.) can be applied toward electives credit. See below "Internship Option".

Internship Option:

Qualified students will be encouraged to spend from six months to one year in an internship at an industrial or governmental research laboratory. From 2-5 s.h. of internship credit can be applied toward the degree.

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Molecular Biology
Education and Training
Natural Sciences Managers
Biological Scientists
Medical Scientists
Biological Science Teacher, Postsecondary

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University

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Master of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at East Carolina University

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville