[Fields of Study]

Biotechnology

Patricia Gwirtz, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor
Research and Education Building-103
817-735-2079
E-mail: Patricia.Gwirtz@unthsc.edu

Graduate and Adjunct Graduate Faculty: All members of the graduate and adjunct graduate faculty are included in Biotechnology. Science advancements are moving at a record pace. New and exciting approaches have led to our greater understanding of health and disease. Keeping pace with these breakthroughs will require an education and highly trained workforce. The biotechnology degree program is designed to train individuals for careers in industry and research by providing the tools and experience needed for highly technical positions offered in emerging biotechnology companies and research institutions. Students will take integrated biomedical sciences courses that provide the breadth and depth needed to understand complex biomedical problems. All students are required to train in molecular, cellular, physiological and pharmacological techniques and to complete an internship practicum in a research or industrial laboratory that forms the basis of the laboratory internship practicum report.

Laboratory Internship Practicum
Once the major professor is chosen, the student will complete a Laboratory Internship Practicum (BMSC 5697) in the major professor's laboratory. During this time, the student will learn how to perform all of the duties expected of a laboratory technician. These may include working under researchers on their projects, doing the student's own research project, purchasing supplies and equipment, repairing and maintaining equipment, etc. The student is expected to keep a laboratory notebook during this experience. At the end of the practicum, the student will write a report detailing the activities of the internship. The student's advisory committee must approve this report together with the laboratory notebook. The student must make a formal presentation to the advisory committee and defend the work at this time. A copy of the report must be submitted within the appropriate deadlines for graduation (see the Academic Calendar.)