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The Industrial Microbial Biotechnology (IMB) subplan of the PSM in Applied Biosciences GIDP is designed to prepare student for careers in the biotechnology industries where microorganisms are used as either tools for manufacturing chemical or biological products, or as environmental or agricultural agents.
Since ancient times, microorganisms have been utilized for what we now recognize as biotechnology applications, starting with beer and wine-making, leavening dough for bread and pastries, and preserving food by pickling. The multibillion dollar modern fermentation and biocatalytic industries that grew out of these practices produce small molecule “natural products” to be used as drugs, pesticides and fine chemicals including biodegradable plastics, and provide us with amino acids, vitamins, solvents and other industrial chemicals. Microbial fermentation and biocatalysis (the use of microorganisms as catalysts for chemical reactions) also represent our best hopes to produce sustainable, environmentally responsible biofuels, and constitute a fast growing segment of the biotechnology industry. Microbial fermentation is also used to produce recombinant proteins as drugs or industrial enzymes, and can be used to manufacture antibodies and nucleic acids for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Drug discovery in the pharmaceutical and agribusiness industries, and the development of novel or cheaper industrial chemicals and reagents are unimaginable without utilizing microbial “chemical factories”.
Microorganisms are also used for environmental biotechnology applications, utilizing the unrivaled ability of microbes to biodegrade a wide variety of compounds. Bioremediation of contaminated former industrial sites, cleanup after natural disasters like oil spills, or everyday applications like waste water treatment rely on chemical reactions catalyzed on the spot by live microorganisms. Similarly, integrated pest management in agribusiness can take advantage of biocontrol by live microorganisms to kill or suppress microbial, insect or nematode pests in an environmentally conscious manner that does not involve toxic chemicals.
The IMB track will prepare students for gainful employment in the fermentation, biocatalysis, drug discovery and manufacture, agribusiness, chemical manufacture, and environmental biotechnology industries where experts with knowledge of microbiology, microbial genetics and biochemistry are in demand. Just like other PSMAB tracks, the IMB track involves a strong component of developing professional skills and understanding the legal and business environment of these industries, and involves a required internship in a professional biotechnology laboratory environment.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Students who wish to apply to the PSM degree in Applied Biosciences must have the minimum qualifications:
A Bachelors (or equivalent) degree with a major in an area of biosciences from an accredited institution.
A minimum 3.0 GPA
A desire to pursue a professional career in the applied biosciences.
Admissions Process
Students should apply directly to the specific track in the program they wish to pursue. The application should be submitted online (only) via the Graduate College website (http://grad.arizona.edu). Be prepared to submit the following materials:
Scans of all transcripts (official versions will be requested if you are selected for admission)
GRE scores (recommended but not required; general test only)
Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language.
Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials can be found at:
https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency
GPAs for all undergraduate work
A one to two page statement of interests, which outlines your background (including any professional experience) and your professional goals.
You should separately arrange with two references (typically former or current professors or work supervisors) who can comment on your skills, training and potential for the PSM in Applied Biosciences. You will need to include their names and email addresses in your online application.
Required test(s):
Required GRE Subject tests: general test only
Minimum GRE Verbal: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minimum GRE Quantitative: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minumum GRE Written: 0-6, in half point increments
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL: 79 internet based (IBT) 550 paper based (PB) required for international students or
Minimum IELTS: 7 (no subject area below a 6) for international students
Minimum Pearson PTE Academic: 60
Minimum Minimum CEPT: 110 on Full Academic test for international students
For more information on the English Proficiency requirement, please click here
There is no funding support directly available from this program.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
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All Tracks have the following general structure:
Science Module...................................................15 Units
Professional Preparation Module............................12 Units
Internship Module (including the Final Report)..........9 Units
Total.................................................................36 Units
Core Course Requirements:
Science Module: 15 Units Required (9 Core + 6 Electives)
Core Science Classes: Choose 9 Units
BIOC 565 Proteins and Enzymes, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOC 568 Nucleic Acids, Metabolism and Signaling, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOC 573 Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
ECOL 553 Functional and Evolutionary Genomics, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
ECOL 575 Freshwater and Marine Algae, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 525 Environmental Microbiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 516a Statistical Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 580 Introduction to Systems Biology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 552 Antibiotics: A Biological Perspective, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 527R General Mycology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528R Microbial Genetics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 548A Plant Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Requirements for Core Coursework in the Internship Module:
Core Coursework for the Internship Module (9 units minimum)
ABS 593A Internship, 8 units, minimum required grade S or P
ABS 909 Master’s Report, 1 unit, minimum required grade S or P
Core Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (2 units minimum)
BE 501 Research Methods in Biosystems Engineering, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 595D Scientific Writing, Presentations and Bioethics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 508 Scientific Writing for Environmental, Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
OPTI 597B Technical writing and communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in core coursework: 3.0
Science Electives: Choose 6 Units
Electives can include any course from the Core Science Module as well. Courses not listed here may also be chosen but require an agreement with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Committee.
ACBS 556 Aquaculture, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BE 502 Fundamentals in Computing Biosystems Analytics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BE 513 Applied Biostatistics, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
BE 534 Biosystems Analytics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BE 581A Engineering of Biological Processes, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BE 587 Metagenomics: From Genes to Ecosystems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CHEE 577R Microbiology for Engineers, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CHEM 323A Bioanalytical Chemistry, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CHEM 501A Instrumental Analysis, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CHEM 525A Mass Spectrometry, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 518 Fundamental Genetic Mechanisms: from Molecules to Genomes, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
CMM 577 Principles of Cell Biology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
ECOL 510 Microbial Biogeochemistry and Global Change, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 511 Environmental Metabolomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENVS 526 Environmental Microbiology Lab, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 501 Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 565 Principles and Molecular Mechanisms of Microbe-Host Interactions, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 546 Genetic and Molecular Networks, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 585 Multidisciplinary Approaches to Solving Biological Problems, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIC 530 Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PCOL 536A Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 530 Proteins and Nucleic Acids as Drug Targets, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 596A Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 670 Principles in Drug Discovery, Design, and Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 528L Microbial Genetics Laboratory, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 550 Principles of Plant Microbiology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLP 575 Advanced Mycology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PLS 539 Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (Choose 9 to 10 units)
ACBS 568A Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 568B Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles II, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACBS 571 Risk Assessment, Management and Communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ABE 552 Globalization, Sustainability Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ACCT 521 Business Law for Accountants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 509 Team Organizational Leadership, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 510 Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture and the Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 511 Principles and Application of Organizational Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ALC 522 Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
AREC 550 Financial Management for Agribusiness, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
BNAD 597B Advanced Consulting Projects, 3-4 units, minimum required grade A or B
CBIO 597C Grant Writing for Graduate Students, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
CTS 595C Responsible Conduct of Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
ECON 578 Energy, the Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
EHS 575 Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 512A Management of Technology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENGR 514 Law for Engineers/Scientists, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 506 Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 515 Strategic Planning , 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 548 Healthcare Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 557 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
ENTR 581A Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercialization, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
GRAD 595D Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
IMB 521 Scientific Grantsmanship, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 695D Regulatory Science, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 576A Drug, Discovery, Development and Marketing Obligations, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 578A Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
LAW 589A Regulatory Science Case Study Project, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MCB 695E Science, Society, and Ethics, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 535 International Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 538 Health Organization and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MGMT 563 Doing Business In/With Africa, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 506 Healthcare Information Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MIS 578 Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
MKTG 510 Marketing-Based Management, 2 units, A or B
MSE 502 Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PCOL 5 84 Fundamentals in Industrial and Environmental Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 506 Economic Foundations for Health Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 562 Health Services Administration, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 569 Fundamentals of Health Budgeting and Financial Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHPM 574 Public Health Policy and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
PHSC 513 Health Technology Assessment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 515 Technical Sales and Marketing, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SIE 567 Financial Modeling for Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
SLHS 649 Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B
Minimum GPA in Elective coursework: 3.0
Students need to do an oral presentation and submit a written report of the internship
See our Student Handbook for detailed information: https://abs.arizona.edu/current-students/student-handbook
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.