Prospective Students
Graduate Programs
Biological Sciences—MS, PhD
There has never been a more exciting time for you to become a biologist! As our knowledge advances, graduate-level education has become even more necessary for pursuing a career in the biological sciences in areas such as industry, government, and academia. We offer two graduate degrees in biological sciences: the MS and the PhD. Our programs provide a stimulating, interdisciplinary, and intellectual atmosphere for career development.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—PhD
The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) PhD program at Michigan Tech allows students and faculty to come together and seek answers to some of the world's most pressing problems. Built on the strength of pre-existing graduate programs in biological sciences, chemistry, and the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, the interdisciplinary BMB program provides students with the opportunity to focus on the study of biochemistry and molecular biology through the lens of a wide variety of subject areas.
Learn More About the PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Peace Corps Master's International—MS
The Master’s International Program is a partnership between Michigan Tech and the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) Program in Biological Sciences allows students to use their knowledge in biology, health science, or medical laboratory sciences to serve overseas as laboratory technicians, secondary biology and science teachers, and environmental educators. Our students provide the technological knowledge and skills necessary to work in partnership with host-country teachers and officials.
Undergraduate Degrees
Biology—BS
Whether you’re interested in plants, animals, aquatics, or other living organisms, Michigan Tech’s location amid diverse ecosystems teeming with life—waters, forests, wetlands, and more—makes it a prime location to study biology. The BS in Biological Sciences provides a strong, quantitative education in the natural sciences, with a strong emphasis on high-level laboratory investigation and field research. Our graduates are thoroughly prepared and find success in medical school, advanced graduate programs, and careers in industry.
Medical Laboratory Science—BS
Investigate a program with a variety of innovative specializations and nearly limitless career opportunities. The BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences begins with the fundamentals, then allows you to focus on medical technology, cytotechnology, or secondary education—you can even choose the amount of time you spend on your degree. You’ll spend ample time in labs and research settings, including a yearlong clinical practicum. Our graduates are extremely employable and in high demand, easily finding careers and placements in a variety of settings.
Bioinformatics—BS
Fuse your interest in biology with your IT and computer skills with a BS in Bioinformatics. More than just studying concepts, you’ll become a specialist, using a variety of computational analyses to study, process, and analyze vast molecular biological data. Learn by doing in our specialized computations facilities and computing laboratories—all of which feature the latest software and technologies. You’ll benefit from a program that emphasizes a strong, quantitative education combined with cutting-edge research.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Discover a program that combines studies of biology and chemistry in a unique and collaborative way. The BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology provides a rigorous education in the fundamentals of both sciences, then allows you to specialize your studies in molecular concepts and biochemical systems. Throughout the program you will be encouraged to get involved with high-level research in advanced laboratory facilities—a great way to prepare for medical school, graduate school, or a career in industry.
Learn More About Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan Tech
Preprofessional Programs
Do you have interest in pursuing a career in health professions? Michigan Tech can help you make the first step into your future. With a degree in Biological Sciences, coupled with a pre-health professions concentration, you can prepare yourself for some of medicine’s most in-demand—and most rewarding—career paths.
Minors
Biochemistry
Explore biologically important molecules, mechanisms, and processes—and gain practical laboratory experience while doing it. Major topics studied in biochemistry course work include purification of proteins; enzyme kinetics; intermediary metabolism and regulation; bioenergetics; membrane structure; mechanisms and regulation of protein, DNA, RNA, and polysaccharide synthesis; and current techniques in gene cloning and protein engineering.
Biological Sciences
Gain an overall understanding of the broad field of biological sciences. Students may follow one of two tracks: the cellular and genetic track that focuses on cell and gene function or the organismal track that focuses on the evolution and ecology of plants and animals.
Bioprocess Engineering (Interdisciplinary)
Understanding biological processes allows major chemical, pharmaceutical, and food manufacturers to develop lifesaving medicines and improve the food supply for a hungry world. The rapid growth of biological processing methods in industry creates a strong demand for graduates with expertise in this area. Two paths are available: an engineering track and a biological track.
Ecology (Interdisciplinary)
This minor provides students from many disciplines the opportunity to study ecology, and develop a deeper understanding of organismal interactions within the environment. It will provide students with both the foundations and in-depth examination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Fish Biology
The fish biology minor focuses on native fisheries and aquatic ecosystems ecology—providing a strong background for both students wishing to enter the job market immediately following graduation, and those wishing to pursue advanced degrees in the field. Emphasis is placed on species interactions, fish conservation, anthropogenic effects, current and historical fisheries, and data analysis. The impact of local and global issues upon Great Lakes fisheries is also investigated.
Microbiology
Through the microbiology minor, students will gain a deep understanding of the environmental, ecological, organismal, and medical aspects of the field of microbiology. Laboratories are an essential component of many of these courses—further strengthening a student’s hands-on skills in this exciting field.
Nanoscale Science and Engineering (Interdisciplinary)
Take part in the nanoscale revolution. Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field that seeks to understand, control, and exploit the novel physical properties displayed by matter at the nanoscale, or at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers (for example, a DNA strand is 2.5 nanometers in diameter). Nanotechnology applications—such as drug-delivery and water-filtration techniques, nanofilms, and carbon nanotubes—are highly interdisciplinary and include virtually all fields of engineering and the natural sciences. This minor will give you the necessary multidisciplinary background in physics, chemistry, biology, instrumentation, and application-specific areas.
Plant Biotechnology (Interdisciplinary)
Plant Sciences (Interdiscipinary)
This minor provides students the opportunity to study and develop an understanding of the plant sciences and their role as a foundation of modern society. Students who elect to pursue this minor will take a required course in botany, and be able to choose electives ranging from plant-microbe interactions to genomics to forest ecology.
Remote Sensing (Interdisciplinary)
Discover remote sensing—an interdisciplinary field employing advanced technology to remotely collect data and take measurements. Remote sensing techniques are used in field studies when direct sensing is difficult or impossible, on scales ranging from microscopic to satellite to astronomical. Michigan Tech’s Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences Institute (EPSSI) fosters interdisciplinary, team-based collaboration in remote sensing; opportunities to research on RSI teams are available to undergraduate students.
