Department of Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences (MS, PhD) (PhD/MBA) (PSM/Certificate in Biotechnology)

Website: http://www.bio.udel.edu/
Faculty Listing: Primary Faculty

Program Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the fields of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix biology; cell and developmental biology; neurobiology; microbiology and virology; physiology; cancer biology, cardiovascular biology; and molecular biology and genetics. Formalized concentrations (Degree Requirements) have been established to provide students with customized research and career mentorship. Since many students pursuing the PhD in Biological Sciences are interested in pursuing careers in industrial science, the Department of Biological Sciences and The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has developed a jointly administered PhD in Biological Sciences/ MBA degree. Financial aid is available to all research MS and PhD graduate students in the form of assistantships. The stipend level for 2023-2024 will be at least $30,213 per 12 months for research MS and PhD graduate students. In addition, all graduate assistants in Biological Sciences receive a full tuition scholarship from the University of Delaware and university subsidized health insurance.

The Department of Biological Sciences also offers the Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology degree as well as a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology. The PSM in Biotechnology combines coursework in the core life science disciplines, coursework in other scientific disciplines relevant to biotechnology, 15 credits of business coursework from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and a six-month long industrial internship to give students real world experience in biotechnology. Both the PSM and Certificate can be pursued part-time and are an ideal choice for those working in industry who want to expand their training while continuing to work.

Research Facilities

The Department of Biological Sciences occupies Wolf Hall and has modern well-equipped laboratories for research and teaching. The building is located on the “Green” on the main campus. Other research opportunities are available at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute and with jointly appointed faculty mentors working in other UD departments. Translational Research opportunities exist at the A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children and the Center for Translational Cancer Research at Christiana Care Health System as part of the Human Health Initiative. Extensive core facilities support departmental research efforts and include a modern laboratory animal facility, atomic force microscopy, confocal and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, histology, flow cytometry/FACS, DNA sequencing, RNA-seq and high throughput bioinformatics, proteomics, and whole animal imaging.

Requirements for Admission

Graduate admission criteria of the Department of Biological Sciences include a scholastic index (grade point average on a 4.0 point scale) of at least 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the sciences. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is currently being waived. Competitive scores are the 50th percentile or better in each section. Those who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Applicants are required to complete the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological sciences; one year of mathematics, preferably to include calculus and/or statistics; one year of college physics; one year of general chemistry; and one course in organic chemistry. Applicants who did not major in biology will be considered if they have completed two years of courses in biological sciences and have strong academic backgrounds in other scientific areas. Provisional admission may be offered with the stipulation that any deficiency in undergraduate training be made up (without graduate credit) during the first year of graduate study.

Applications must include three letters of recommendation from persons able to judge the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study.

International applicants must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 100 or higher, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 7.5 or higher, in accordance with University of Delaware regulations for graduate assistantship eligibility. Previous education, training or residence in the U.S. does not exempt foreign nationals from these requirements. Requests for a waiver of the language test requirements (for example, for students from English-speaking countries outside of the U.S., or for foreign students who have a college degree from a U.S. institution) must be approved by the University of Delaware Office of Graduate & Professional Education.

Applications normally are considered only for fall entrance, but applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may request permission to enroll during the spring or summer semester. International applicants are considered only for fall admission. To ensure optimum consideration for fall admission, complete applications should be received at this University by January 15, with a final deadline of April 15. Evaluation of applications will begin on January 15, and applications received between January 15 and April 15 will be considered only if unfilled slots remain. In exceptional circumstances, U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be considered for fall admission until June 15. For spring admissions, the final deadline is October 1.

Students are admitted to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs with the expectation that they will devote full-time to their training. Written requests for part-time enrollment must be included in the personal statement section of the application.

Students transferring from the graduate program of another college or university may be eligible to have some requirements substituted or waived on the basis of previous graduate training. Such requests should be submitted in writing to the Graduate Program Director at the time of admission to the University of Delaware.

PH.D. in Biological Sciences and Master in Business Administration (PHD/MBA)

Program History

The Department of Biological Sciences has offered the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences since 1953 with the goal of training scientists to independently seek new knowledge relevant to the life sciences. The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has offered the Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree since 1954 to prepare students for the business world. Since many students pursuing the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences are interested in pursuing careers in industrial science, the Department of Biological Sciences and The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics has developed a joint Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/ MBA degree. The Department of Biological Sciences and the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics jointly administer this program.

Admission

Students desiring to pursue the joint Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA initially apply directly to the Ph.D. program of the Department of Biological Sciences and must meet the admissions requirements of the Ph.D. program: Joint Ph.D./MBA Program (udel.edu). The student matriculates into the Ph.D. program, must successfully complete all first year course work, choose a dissertation advisor, pass the comprehensive exam, and form their dissertation advisory committee as required for the Ph.D. program. During the summer between the first and second year in the Ph.D. program, the student must convene their advisory committee and petition them for permission to take six credits of tier one MBA coursework in addition to their Ph.D. coursework requirements during the second year. Since Ph.D. students are supported on assistantships based in the Department of Biological Sciences and receive tuition scholarships for these assistantships, continued enrollment in any MBA classes is dependent on maintained satisfactory progress towards the Ph.D.

Once the student has successfully completed all required course work for the Ph.D. degree and has completed six credits of MBA coursework, students interested in the joint Ph.D./MBA program must convene their Ph.D. advisory committee and petition for permission to apply to the joint Ph.D./MBA program. If this petition is granted, the student’s progress towards the Ph.D. is reviewed by the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Department of Biological Sciences. If GAC finds that the student is in good standing in the Department, the student then applies to the MBA program for admission into the joint Ph.D./MBA program. The prospective student is encouraged to see the admissions policies for both programs in the graduate catalog.

Applications to the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences and letters of recommendation are to be submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Education

The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/ MBA is a joint degree program. As such, the joint programs must be completed and the dual degree is conferred simultaneously. Students admitted to the Ph.D./MBA joint degree program who later decide they only want to complete one of the degrees must either petition the graduate school to reenter the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences or apply separately to the MBA program for admission as a candidate in that program. Students who complete the single degree (Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or MBA) may not at a later date be admitted to the dual degree program. In such case the student would be required to complete all requirements for the second degree. A student who decides to pursue the dual degree must apply for change of degree to the Ph.D./MBA dual degree prior to receiving the first degree and must complete the requirements for the dual degree prior to any degree being granted.

Academic

The Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA program combines the require courses for the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with the additional required courses of the MBA program. The minimum credit requirements for the Ph.D. make up 31 credits of the program. The MBA core and required courses make up 33 credits of the program.

Financial aid

Students in the Ph.D. in Biological Sciences/MBA program may compete for the same sources of financial assistance available to Ph.D. students. See Graduate Students | University of Delaware (udel.edu) for specifics. The same criteria for financial assistance apply.

Other Financial Aid Opportunities

Other Fellowships and Internship opportunities are occasionally available through the University. Interested students should check the Office of Graduate & Professional Education website for the most current opportunities.

Residence Hall Directorships

In addition, the University hires Residence Hall Directors from among the ranks of its graduate students. Candidates are chosen for their superior leadership and communication skills, as well as the capability to provide guidance to undergraduates. Hall Directors are eligible for room and board, and full tuition waivers. Contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (302) 831-8423 for additional information as soon as possible. Applicants are usually interviewed around mid-April.

MBA Corporate Associate

The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics operates a “Corporate Associates” program in which graduate students are placed half time in industry positions. The positions are competitive and selection is based on the student’s fit with the industry position. The employer has the final say in selection. Corporate Associates receive half time funding and tuition waivers. Contact the Lerner College Graduate and Executive Programs office for further information at (302) 831-2221.

Departmental Operations

Occasionally student’s graduate assistantship or other assignments may require the use of departmental laboratories or other facilities. Keys to laboratories, etc., are maintained in the Department office and will be issued based on faculty and Department Chair approval.

Any assignments that require the expenditure of departmental funds (e.g. data collection activities) require departmental approval in advance and are processed through the department in which the work is to be done.

PSM in Biotechnology

Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Biotechnology Program Policy

Part I. Program history

A) Statement of purpose and expectations for graduate study

The Professional Science Master’s in Biotechnology seeks to provide advanced, interdisciplinary didactic coursework in the life sciences, training in business applicable to scientific industry, and experiential training in an industrial setting. Graduates will be poised to enter positions in diverse biotechnology industries.

B) Date of permanent status-

May, 2015

C) Degrees offered

Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Biotechnology

Part II. Admission

A) Admission requirements

Admission to the PSM in Biotechnology requires a prior scholastic index (grade point average on a 4.0 point scale) of at least 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the sciences. Those who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

There is also the possibility of entering the program after the successful completion of two courses of the Biological Sciences core with a grade of B or better (not B-) as a continuing education student and the achievement of an overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate classes attempted. Students may also be admitted after successful completion of the “Certificate in Biotechnology”.

International applicants must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 79 or higher, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 6.5 or higher. Previous education, training or residence in the U.S. does not exempt foreign nationals from these requirements. Requests for a waiver of the language test requirements (for example, for students from English-speaking countries outside of the U.S., or for foreign students who have a college degree from a U.S. institution) must be approved by the University of Delaware Office of Graduate & Professional Education. Students who need further training in English prior to attending graduate school may apply for admission through the University of Delaware English Language Institute’s Conditional Admission Program http://sites.udel.edu/eli/programs/cap/.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is currently being waived.

B) Prior degree requirements

BA or BS degree, preferably in a science or engineering discipline

C) Application deadlines.

Fall admission: Full consideration deadline: January 15th with rolling admission to continue until May 1st for foreign nationals and July 1st for US citizens/permanent residents.

Spring Admission: Full consideration deadline: October 1st with rolling admission to continue until November 1st for foreign nationals, December 15th for US citizens/permanent residents.

D) Special competencies needed

Applicants are required to have completed, at the undergraduate level, the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological sciences; one year of mathematics, preferably to include calculus and/or statistics; one year of college physics; one year of general chemistry; and one course in organic chemistry.

E) Admission categories

Provisional admission may be offered with the stipulation that any deficiency in undergraduate training be made up (without graduate credit).

Students with TOEFL scores below the minimum required for admission may be considered for conditional admission if they enter the University of Delaware English Language Institute’s academic English program.

F. Other documents required

Applications must also include three letters of recommendation from persons able to judge the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study, a resume or CV outlining work and/or academic experience in the field of biotechnology, as well as an application essay consisting of the answers to the following questions:

What scientific research/employment experience have you had? Please be specific about the field of work and job responsibilities
What are your long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department and the PSM in Biotechnology make you feel that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives?

G) University statement:

Admission to the PSM in Biotechnology program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Part IV. Assessment Plan

Five student learning goals are defined.

Students will:

Have advanced knowledge of the discipline of biotechnology.
Have experience working with interdisciplinary teams on biotechnology.
Achieve competence in scientific communication.
Be knowledgeable in scientific business ethics.
Understand the application of business/management theory to science.

These goals are be assessed through multiple indicators including:

Faculty evaluation of student progress in course work.
Survey of internship mentors.
Surveys of students and program alumni.
Faculty and internship mentor evaluation of the internship work and written products.
Employer surveys.

Both short term and long term impacts are assessed.

Part V. Financial

Students enrolled in this program are responsible for their tuition and living expenses. Both the Department of Biological Sciences and University of Delaware Office of Financial Aid will provide assistance in identifying suitable fellowships, grants, and loans to help finance their education.

Part VI. Departmental Operations

General student responsibilities

Access to Student Records

Students wishing to review their Departmental file must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Director at least 24 hours in advance. Students must review the file in the presence of Departmental staff or faculty and are not permitted to remove a file from Wolf Hall but may photocopy documents from their folder. All access to student records is in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Standards of Student Conduct

A)Academic honesty

All graduate students are subject to University of Delaware regulations regarding academic honesty.

B) Laboratory Safety and Research Regulations

Graduate students performing laboratory research are subject to all University regulations regarding safety, use of human subjects and animals, and hazardous/radioactive material use and disposal. These guidelines may be found in the University of Delaware Policies and Procedures Manual. Students participating in off campus internship experiences are expected to fully comply will all safety regulations of the workplace.

C) Contact information

It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that their contact information on file with the university is current (mailing address, phone number, email address). It is also the student’s responsibility to regularly monitor their email, phone, and mail for important notices regarding their enrollment.

D) Departmental facilities

Certificate in Biotechnology

Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology Program Policy

Part I. Program history

A) Statement of purpose and expectations for graduate study

The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology seeks to provide advanced, interdisciplinary didactic coursework in the life sciences.

B) Date of permanent status-

May 2015

C) Degrees offered

Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology

Part II. Admission

A. Admission requirements

Admission to the Certificate in Biotechnology requires a scholastic index (grade point average on a 4.0 point scale) of at least 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the sciences. Those who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

There is also the possibility of entering the program after the successful completion of two courses of the Biological Sciences core with a grade of B or better (not B-) as a continuing education student or as a student enrolled in other UD graduate programs and the achievement of an overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate classes attempted.

The Graduate Record Examination is not required of applicants to the Certificate in Biotechnology.

B. Prior degree requirements

BA or BS degree, preferably in a science or engineering discipline.

C. Application deadlines.

Fall admission: Full consideration deadline: January 15th with rolling admission to continue until May 1st for foreign nationals and July 1st for US citizens/permanent residents.

Spring Admission: Full consideration deadline: October 1st with rolling admission to continue until November 1st for foreign nationals, December 15th for US citizens/permanent residents.

D. Special competencies needed

Applicants are required to have completed at the undergraduate level the following (or the equivalent): two years of biological sciences; one year of mathematics, preferably to include calculus and/or statistics; one year of college physics; one year of general chemistry; and one course in organic chemistry.

E. Admission categories

Provisional admission may be offered with the stipulation that any deficiency in undergraduate training be made up (without graduate credit).

F. Other documents required

What scientific research/employment experience have you had? Please be specific about the field of work and job responsibilities
What are your long-term professional objectives?
What specific attributes of our Department and the Certificate in Biotechnology make you feel that this degree is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives?

G. University statement

Admission to the Certificate in Biotechnology program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Part IV. Assessment Plan

Two student learning goals are defined.

Students will:

Have advanced knowledge of the discipline of biotechnology.
Achieve competence in scientific communication.

These goals will be assessed through multiple indicators including:

Faculty evaluation of student progress in course work.
Surveys of students and program alumni.

Both short term and long term impacts are assessed.

Part V. Financial aid

Students enrolled in this program are responsible for their own tuition and living expenses. Both the Department of Biological Sciences and University of Delaware Office of Financial Aid will provide assistance in identifying suitable fellowships, grants, and loans to help finance their education.

Part VI. Departmental Operations

A. General student responsibilities

Access to Student Records

Students wishing to review their Departmental file must submit a written request to the Graduate Program Director at least 24 hours in advance. Students must review the file in the presence of departmental staff or faculty and are not permitted to remove a file from Wolf Hall but may photocopy documents from their folder. All access to student records is in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Standards of Student Conduct

A)Academic honesty

All graduate students are subject to University of Delaware regulations specified in the University Code of Conduct.

B) Laboratory Safety and Research Regulations

C) Contact information

D) Departmental facilities

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Dual Degree

Biological Sciences (PhD/MBA)

Certificate

Biotechnology Certificate