Biotechnology M.S.
Find Yourself at the Intersection of Life and Science
Become a leader in the vital industries of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals with a Master of Science in Biotechnology. Our expert faculty will prepare you for a career while you get hands-on experience and one-on-one instruction in our state-of-the-art labs. You'll graduate from UHCL's biotechnology master's program with a solid grounding in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics and proteomics. With a Master of Science in Biotechnology, you can be part of new and exciting discoveries that may change many lives.

UHCL is the first university in Texas to offer three concentrations in Biotechnology:
Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and Biotechnology
Management and Marketing. You'll be able to tailor your coursework to your specific
interests.
Engineer Your Career Path
Graduates of the Master of Science in Biotechnology program have gone on to work as geneticists, microbiologists, biomedical engineers, biochemists, biophysicists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, food scientists, soil and plant scientists and in many other new, emerging fields. UHCL's proximity to world-renowned centers of medicine and biotechnology give you a distinct advantage when beginning or advancing your career.
Through advances in the areas of genomics, proteomics and biomedical imaging, there is an increased need for highly qualified specialists who possess the skill to analyze biological data and build integrated models of biological systems and use them to create real-world strategies that will help prevent or treat disease. At the University of Houston-Clear Lake, you can earn a Master of Science in Biotechnology with a Specialization in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology to obtain the crucial experience you need to advance your career in modern biomedical research.
Job prospects within this field are rapidly widening, supported by the pharmaceutical and biotech industries who are looking for skilled scientists able to interpret existing genomics data and use it to uncover new drug therapies. This degree from UHCL will put you at the forefront of a growing field in which you'll occupy a key role in expanding the intersection between computation and biology.
Take your Master of Science in Biotechnology to new heights with a Specialization in Biotechnology Management and Marketing at University of Houston-Clear Lake. With this unique focus on the ever-growing field of biotechnology, you will learn the necessary research and development skills for the creation of new products as well as the crucial tools for managing projects in the production of those products and then successfully introducing them to the general public. And this will all take place in a stimulating environment with small class sizes.
This is a great degree program for the student who wants to take a leadership role at their current job without worrying about the traditional MBA. Your courses will discuss key principles in marketing, management and organizational behavior so you can present the findings to willing investors, buyers and companies.. And you'll still spend plenty of time in the laboratory exploring the current trends in the world of biotechnology.
With a Master of Science in Biotechnology with a Specialization in Molecular Biology from University of Houston-Clear Lake, you'll be equipped to compete with the most qualified scientists for highly coveted positions in a rapidly advancing field. Your degree will have applications in nearly all aspects of human life, including plant and animal agriculture, aquaculture, chemical and textile manufacturing, forestry and food processing. You'll complete your coursework in both classroom and laboratory environments, as you study and modify nucleic acids and proteins to find new applications in human and animal health, agriculture and the environment.
Molecular biotechnology is a dynamic field driven by the ability to transfer genetic information between organisms with the goal of understanding key biological processes or innovating new products. Your degree from UHCL will impart the skills and knowledge you'll need to join a company that develops or improves medications, vaccines or diagnostic tests that benefit human and animal health. Significant workforce supply and demand gaps already exist, and your degree from our College of Science and Engineering prepares you to fill the global economy's increasing need for scientists who possess the technical and leadership skills to continue researching, developing and innovating.
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Applying for Spring 2024?
Visit www.applytexas.org
Applying for Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 (and beyond)?
Visit the UHCL Graduate Application Portal
Admission Requirements
Explore what the future holds for you by attending University of Houston-Clear Lake's
College of Science and Engineering. Find out now what it takes to be admitted.
- Biotechnology M.S.
-
Admission DeadlineStandard Graduate Admission Deadline
-
ApplicationA standard university application is required.
-
Requirements
- 3.0 GPA
- GRE is not required and can be waived. If submitted, GRE total scores should be at least 290 (140 Verbal + 150 Quantitative). If GRE is not submitted, applicant must submit 3 letters of recommendation, resume, and personal statement of research and future plans.
- Those not meeting GRE and/or GPA standards will be required to meet additional performance criteria.
- Foundation Courses (C or better): Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry I, Physiology (plant or human or animal), Computational Statistics, Cellular Physiology, and Molecular Biology.
- Additional Requirements – Undergraduate degree in Biology, but other degrees may apply if preparation includes significant number of core courses in Biological Sciences as well as appropriate chemistry, physics and mathematics courses.
Degree Requirements
Get ready to calculate the course load for your education at University of Houston-Clear Lake! Learn more about the courses required to succeed here in the College of Science and Engineering.
Biotechnology M.S.Cost Information
Calculate the price of your science or engineering degree at UHCL with our Cost Estimator
function.
Tuition and FeesFee Schedule Calculator
Deadlines for Applying
- Graduate Deadlines
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FallNew Degree-Seeking Students - August 1
Returning UHCL Students - August 15 -
SpringNew Degree-Seeking Students - January 5
Returning UHCL Students - January 15 -
SummerNew Degree-Seeking Students - May 1
Returning UHCL Students - May 25
Please note, some graduate programs have special deadlines and requirements. For more information, go to How to Apply as a Graduate Student. The online application is scheduled to close for Graduate students after the Formal UHCL Student deadline of each semester.
Applying After the Priority Deadline
New, non-degree seeking, and returning UHCL students applying after the deadlines above may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the appropriate graduate enrollment counselor for more information. A $50.00 Late Registration Fee or $50.00 Late Payment may apply.
Review the UHCL Academic Calendar for registration and payment dates and deadlines.
- International Deadlines
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Fall
Deadline - May 1
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Spring
Deadline - October 1
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Summer*
Deadline - April 1
For more information regarding deferring your application, please visit Deferring International Admission.
Students interested in qualifying for scholarships &/or applying for visas outside the U.S. should apply and submit the application documents/test scores by the priority deadline
*International freshmen applicants will not be accepted for Summer semester.
Locations
University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-283-7600
UH-Clear Lake at Pearland
1200 Pearland Pkwy
Pearland, Texas 77581
Phone: 281-212-1700
Since 2010, University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland has proudly served as an upper-level institution serving juniors, seniors, and graduate students in fields like business and behavioral science.
Accreditations and Distinctions
UHCL's Biotechnology program is the only program in Texas to offer three specializations: Molecular Biotechnology, Management, and Bioinformatics.
- Molecular Biotechnology: work as a scientist in a research lab
- Management: manage a research lab or division
- Bioinformatics: develop or utilize bioinformatics data managements tools
Biotechnology M.S. Faculty

Martha Ariza
Lecturer in Biotechnology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3763
Email: Ariza@UHCL.edu
Office: B3321
Scott Buckel
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3793
Email: Buckel@UHCL.edu
Office: B3531
Luke Choate
Lecturer of Biological Sciences,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3748
Email: choatel@uhcl.edu
Office: B3525

Leonard "Leo" Giblin
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3740
Email: giblinl@uhcl.edu
Office: B3531

Stephen Michael Gruber
Lecturer of Biology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3779
Email: gruber@uhcl.edu
Office: B3531

Michael LaMontagne
Assistant Professor of Microbiology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3754
Email: LaMontagne@UHCL.edu
Office: B3121-4

W. Ronald Mills
Professor of Biology and Chemistry,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3773
Email: mills@uhcl.edu
Office: B3531-1

Richard L. Puzdrowski Jr.
Associate Professor of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Science; Cooperative
Degree Program Advisor; and Department Chair of Biology and Biotechnology
,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3750
Email: puzdrowski@uhcl.edu
Office: B3525- 4

Bazlur Rashid
Associate Professor of Biology and Biotechnology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283 3756
Email: rashid@uhcl.edu
Office: 3525-11

Larry Rohde
Associate Professor of Biology and Biotechnology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3743
Email: rohde@uhcl.edu
Office: B3525-6

Lory Z. Santiago-Vázquez
Program Chair of Biotechnology, Associate Professor of Biology and Biotechnology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3776
Email: santiago@uhcl.edu
Office: B3525-7

Brian Stephens
Associate Professor of Biotechnology and Biology, and Program Chair of Biology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3798
Email: Stephensb@UHCL.edu
Office: B3525

Patricia Trubl
Lecturer of Biology,
Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3762
Email: Trubl@UHCL.edu
Office: B3321