Skip to main content
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Illinois State University Home
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About
Masters

Biological Sciences - Biotechnology

  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Graduate
  4. Biological Sciences - Biotechnology

Overview

The Biotechnology sequence provides M.S. students with broad training in major areas of biotechnology via lecture and seminar courses, laboratory courses, and original lab research culminating in the M.S. thesis.

Courses and thesis research may be in diverse areas including biological chemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, genomics, immunology and microbiology. Students learn to conduct basic or applied research in biotechnology areas, utilizing current techniques (e.g., protein biochemistry, DNA/genome manipulations, bioinformatics, transgenic organisms, immunological methods, flow cytometry, electron and confocal microscopy).

The Biotechnology sequence is an option for students enrolled in the M.S. degree program.

  • Graduate School
  • Graduate Catalog
  • Meet Our Faculty
  • Our Community

Point of Pride

The School of Biological Sciences leads Illinois State with more Distinguished Professors than any other department on campus.

Advising

Steven Juliano
(309) 438-2642
Felmley Hall Annex 335

How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

  • have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
  • present official transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. Transcripts can be emailed from the university to Admissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Office of Admissions, 201 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 2200, Normal, IL 61790-2200

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Lab Requirement

The first step in the application process is to ask about working in a lab. We do not admit graduate students unless they have at least one faculty member who is willing to have them in their lab.

Contact a member of our faculty  who works in your area of interest. Discuss whether they are taking new students, whether your interests sufficiently overlap with theirs, and what research topics are being pursued in their labs.

Application Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

  • have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a Master's program.
  • submit official GRE scores (general test) to Illinois State University, school code 1319.
  • upload a curriculum vitae (i.e., résumé). Your vita should include any information that will help the School to assess your potential as a student in our graduate program. It should include a summary of your educational background; previous employment or positions related to science; current status; research activities, including publications; and any other relevant information, such as memberships in professional societies and any honors and awards you have received.
  • upload a statement of academic and professional goals. Your one- to two-page statement of academic and professional goals should identify the general area of research in which you are interested and the faculty member(s) with whom you have corresponded with regard to serving as your possible thesis advisor (i.e., major professor). In addition, describe your plans after completing graduate school.
  • provide three letters of recommendation. Your letters should be from faculty members or others who are familiar with your academic record and can evaluate your potential for graduate study. 

Test Scores

A student applying to this program must have a 150 or better on both the GRE quantitative and verbal test. A score of 4.0 or higher on the analytical writing test is also required.

International students required to take an English proficiency test must have a TOEFL score of 90 or greater. The IELTS equivalent is approximately 6.5. 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall (August) Term — February 1
  • Spring (January) Term — October 1

Apply Now

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

  • be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
  • be in good-standing
  • be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

  • monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
  • a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
  • a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from continuous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

I Want to Learn More

Request Information Form

Contact Information

  • School of Biological Sciences
  • (309) 438-3669
  • Julian 210
  • College of Arts and Sciences

Not what you're looking for?

Keyboard users, when results are available, use the up and down arrow keys to navigate and enter to select.
 

Commonly Used Links

Illinois State

  • Milner Library
  • Technology Support Center
  • Maps and Directions
  • Search/A-Z
  • Academic Calendar
  • Safety and Security

Students

  • My.IllinoisState.edu
  • Student Jobs
  • Catalog
  • ReggieNet
  • Veterans and Military Services
  • Download ISU Mobile App

Alumni

  • Alumni Association
  • Redbird Gear
  • Events
  • Magazine
  • Traditions

Faculty and Staff

  • Work at Illinois State
  • iPeople
  • Email and Office 365
  • Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology
  • Shared Governance and Administration

© 2019 Illinois State University, Normal, IL USA | Contact Us

Privacy Statement | Cookie Statement | Identity Standards | Appropriate Use Policy | IBHE Online Complaint System | ISU Complaint Resolution | Accessibility

  • I. S. U. Facebook
  • I. S. U. Twitter
  • I. S. U. Instagram
  • I. S. U. Youtube
  • I. S. U. LinkedIn
Closing menu Closing Menu
  • Close Menu
  • My
  • Contact
  • A to Z
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • About Us
  • Apply
  • Visit

Getting Started

  • Incoming Freshman
  • Transfer Students
  • Graduate Students
  • International Students
  • Out of State Students
  • Military Veterans
  • Returning to ISU
  • Homeschooled Students

Non-traditional

  • En Español
  • Undocumented Students
  • Visiting Students
  • Second Bachelor's Degree
  • Parents and Families
  • Academics Overview
  • Academic Support
  • Majors
  • Minors
  • Graduate Programs
  • Preprofessional
  • Research Overview
  • Milner Library
  • Redbird Scholar
  • Student Life Overview
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • Student Organizations
  • Athletics Overview
  • GoRedbirds.com
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Administration
  • Our Community
  • Metrics of Excellence
  • Diversity
  • Traditions
  • Learn How to Apply
  • What You Need Before You Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Fee and Waiver
  • Check Your Application Status
  • Disciplinary and Criminal Activity Disclosures
  • International Application Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Department Meetings
  • Driving Directions
  • Open House
  • Group Visits

University Resources

  • My Illinois State
  • Map
  • News
  • Events
  • Giving
Closing menu Closing Menu