Biotechnology
Course location/delivery
This Certificate is offered at the Tampa campus.
Brief Description
The rapid explosion of genomic information available for a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms has resulted in the interdisciplinary field of biotechnology contributing increasingly important roles in the study of a diverse array of biological, biomedical and engineering problems. To solve these problems, more biological and chemical scientists and engineers require familiarity with modern biochemical and molecular biology pathways, biotechnical applications and protocols to perform their professional duties more efficiently and to gain additional insight into the relevance and applications of biotechnology. The diverse array and magnitude of available biotechnology information challenges scientists to translate this data into new discoveries and applications in such areas as transgenic organisms, bioremediation, bioprocess development and the design of novel therapeutics. Whether the need is academic or professional, familiarity with modern biotechnology and recombinant DNA methods or molecular biological-based analyses has become an essential component of most biological-, biomedical- or bioengineering-oriented studies. This certificate provides both biological and chemical scientists and engineers with the necessary coursework for a broad understanding of the principles of biotechnology and their application to different biological, biomedical, chemical and engineering problems.
Credit toward graduate degree
Up to 12 hours of certificate course credits may be applied to a graduate degree with departmental approval.
Standardized tests
GRE testing is not required for admission to the certificate program. However, the GRE is required for admission to the graduate degree programs. International students must submit a TOEFL score when English is not the native language. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 79 on the web-based test is required.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or its equivalent, in the biological sciences and have:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Quantitative and qualitative skills as demonstrated by completion of courses in biology and chemistry.
- GRE scores can also be used to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative skills
Application process
Please visit www.gradcerts.usf.edu/admissions.asp to access the application. In addition, to the application forms please please submit:
- Departmental Approval Form (Please print, sign, and submit this form with all the other forms to our office).
- Official transcripts
- A resume
- A 250-word statement of interest describing your objectives in pursuing this course of study
Registration process
First, consult with the certificate program advisor and obtain an electronic course permit if necessary. Then go to http://usfonline.admin.usf.edu/, the link to OASIS, USF's online registration system. Follow directions given online.
To access online course materials, students must have the USF NetID (e-mail account). Please visit: https://netid.usf.edu/una/ to obtain the NetID.
New students, including those studying online, may obtain the USFCard. Please visit: http://it.usf.edu/services/usfcardto obtain the USFCard.
Tuition and fees
Financial aid
Please try this link to search for available loans based on the non-degree seeking status: http://www.simpletuition.com/landing/certifiedprivateloans.ht
Time limit
Courses must be completed within two years.