Master of Biotechnology
Advance your biomedical career
Connect with us:
Program Benefits
Photo credit: Matt Beardsley
Hands-on training
Core lab courses teach you CRISPR gene editing, bioinformatics, and cutting-edge experimental methods used in biomedical research.
Photo credit: Elena Zhukova
Internships
Our internship program provides a unique opportunity for you to grow your experimental skillset in a real-world industrial or academic setting.
Photo credit: Adam Lau
Career mentorship
We prepare you for a successful career after graduation by helping you explore careers in biotech and academia, polish up your resume/CV, and practice interviews.
Program at a Glance
- Our Master of Biotechnology program is a 30-unit, one-year accelerated program with a full-time course load.
- Courses begin in early July, are fully in-person, and prepare you for your Spring semester internships with our industrial and academic partners.
- Integrated core lab courses leverage our faculty's expertise to train you on CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, stem cell culture, and bioinformatics.
- Our internship program connects you with local biotechnology companies and campus labs, where you will gain highly desired, hands-on research experience.
- We prioritize your professional development and offer courses to prepare you to succeed in a wide range of career paths.
Photo credit: Keegan Houser
Program Timeline
Summer
6-week intensive
molecular biology
lab bootcamp
›
Fall
Bioinformatics lab
and elective courses
›
Spring
Internship and
capstone project
More detailed information can be found on the Curriculum page.
Internship Program
- Our program's signature component, a 3-4 month internship, takes place each Spring semester.
- The goal of our internship program is to provide you with an important opportunity to get highly desired research experience in a real-world setting.
- We've designed a placement and selection process so that you are placed at a local biotech company or campus lab that closely aligns with your scientific interests and career goals.
- During your internship, you perform full-time research, while working closely with your internship mentor and faculty advisor to develop your capstone project.
More information can be found on our Internship Program page.
Photo credit: Elena Zhukova
Upcoming Events
January 15, 2024, at 8:59PM PT: Remember that applications close on January 15th 2024, so please make sure to submit your applications before the deadline.
December 1, 2023 at 5PM PT: Thank you to all who were able to make it to our Dec 1st information session! If you were unable to attend, a recorded information session is available under Past Information Sessions.
October 27, 2023 at 10AM PT: Our first information session has concluded. Thank you to those that attended! A recording is available under Past Information Sessions.
September 13, 2023: Applications are open! Apply to be part of the first cohort of Master of Biotechnology students!
Information Sessions
We will be holding information sessions for the next application cycle in Fall 2024, so please check back later this year. We will cover the application process, admissions requirements, and how to be a competitive applicant.
Past Information Sessions
Recorded Information Session - October 27, 2023
Faculty
As part of the MCB department, the Master of Biotechnology program is connected to the department's world-renowned faculty, who lead labs performing cutting-edge research covering a wide range of modern fields.
A number of MCB faculty are closely involved with the master's program, and they include:
Career Mentorship
- Our faculty, who are leaders in their fields and have experience taking their work from bench to biotech, provide personalized career mentorship.
- Core courses offer ample opportunity to explore biotech and academia, while helping to polish up your resumé and practice mock interviews.
- Extensive campus and departmental career resources help prepare you to enter the biomedical workforce with ease.
More information can be found on our Professional Development page.
Photo credit: Elena Zhukova
Apply
Applications open:
Fall 2024
Application deadline:
Check back Fall 2024
Applications open Fall 2024
Starting Your Application
Apply to our program to become a part of a diverse and driven community of students and faculty and expand your future career opportunities in biomedical research by taking advantage of UC Berkeley's unique position as a world-class research institution and its location at the epicenter of U.S. biotech innovation.
Applications are to be completed online through the application portal. Please read and review our program's admissions requirements.
A detailed timeline of the current admissions cycle can be found here.
If you have or will have received your undergraduate degree from an institution outside of the U.S., you will need to submit evidence of English language proficiency.
FAQ
Program Questions
Who is this program designed for?
Our program is designed for people who want hands-on training in cutting-edge molecular biology techniques and highly-desired research experience in an industrial or academic lab. We aim to cultivate a diverse and engaged student body who are driven to make the most of our program's unique position at a world-class research institution within the hub of U.S. biotech innovation.
Is part-time study or remote study an option?
The Master of Biotechnology program is a full-time program with in-person courses.
Can I take classes outside of the program?
No, due to the full-time course load, you will be unable to take additional courses outside of the ones offered by our program. A list of offered courses is available on the Course Schedule page.
Will I have to find an internship on my own?
No, unlike other programs, we have a placement process that works with you and our internship partners to connect you with a biotech or campus lab that best fits your career interests.
What is the cost for this program?
You can find information on the current program fees on the Program Fees page.
General Admissions Questions
Am I eligible for admission even though I did not major in biological sciences or a related discipline as an undergraduate student?
We understand that people may decide to change career paths or their interests may shift. If you can demonstrate in your application that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in this program, then don't let your undergraduate major deter you from applying.
How are applicants evaluated for admission to the program?
Admission to the program is based on a holistic evaluation process and provides multiple opportunities for you to demonstrate your scientific aptitude and potential to succeed during your time in the program and beyond.
Do you offer rolling admissions?
No, the application cycle starts in early Fall, and admissions decisions are announced in early Spring. Classes begin in the summer. A detailed timeline of the current admissions cycle can be found here.
Will I be notified when my application is complete?
Yes, after your application materials are processed, you will receive an email notification informing you that your application is complete and will be reviewed by the admissions committee.
Can I update my application after I have submitted it?
No, you cannot make any changes to your application after you have submitted it, even if you submitted your application prior to the deadline.
Will there be interviews?
Yes, we will be conducting interviews as part of the admissions process. Interviews will be held over Zoom.
Academic Records and Test Scores Questions
Do I need to upload official transcripts with my application?
No, you just need to upload unofficial transcripts with your application. UC Berkeley Graduate Division will require you submit official documents after you have accepted your admissions offer and enrolled in the program.
My GPA is not on a 4.0 scale. What do I do?
You can leave the GPA field blank. You still need to provide your undergraduate transcripts regardless.
What if I am still in school or have not yet completed my degree?
You can upload your most current unofficial transcript. It must include grades from your most recently completed semester or quarter. Once you have accepted your admissions offer, you must submit your official transcript indicating that you have completed your undergraduate degree.
Letters of Recommendation Questions
How can I check the status of my letters of recommendation?
You can check on the application status page. You will also receive an email notification when a letter writer has submitted their letter.
Can my letter writer submit a hardcopy of their letter?
Please do not submit or mail hardcopies of recommendation letters. We only accept letters through the online application portal.
Do I have to waive my right to see my letters of recommendation?
You can decide either way, but keep in mind that some letter writers will not write a recommendation unless you waive your right to see them. This is something you should discuss with your letter writer when you ask for a recommendation. You should also note that letters are generally seen as more reliable if you have waived your right to access them.
Can I submit my application if my letter writers have not yet submitted their letters?
Yes, you can submit your application even if your letter writers have not submitted their letters yet. They will still be able to submit letters after you've submitted your application.
Can I submit my application if my letter writers have not yet submitted their letters?
Check to make sure that you've sent the initial invitation to your letter writer. If it's been a while since you've sent the invitation, think about following up with them to make sure they received the link from the application portal, or consider sending them a friendly courtesy reminder that the deadline to submit their letter is approaching.
What do I do if my letter writer still hasn't submitted their letter and the deadline is approaching?
Check to make sure that you've sent the initial invitation to your letter writer. If it's been a while since you've sent the invitation, think about following up with them to make sure they received the link from the application portal, or consider sending them a friendly courtesy reminder that the deadline to submit their letter is approaching.
Photo credit: Keegan Houser