| |  | | Microbial Engineering | Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—M.S. Program in Microbial Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, Suite 140, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-625-0212; fax 612-625-1700; bti@umn.edu; http://www.bti.umn.edu/MicE/).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply to all major fields.
Curriculum—Microbial engineering is an interdisciplinary program that combines an understanding of basic principles in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical engineering, and related sciences. Students are trained in the industrial application of microorganisms, cultured cells, and immunologic agents. Students learn both modern basic microbiology and biological engineering and can either proceed to a Ph.D. program in a related discipline or work directly with research and development staff in biotechnology industries. Supporting courses may be chosen from specific fields including biochemistry, microbiology, food science, genetics and cell biology, or pharmacognosy. The program is coordinated by the BioTechnology Institute (BTI), involving faculty from 10 departments and 4 institutes of the University.
Prerequisites for Admission—A baccalaureate degree in biological sciences, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, or chemical engineering is preferred. Undergraduate coursework should include one year each of calculus, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, and basic chemical engineering, as well as a background in basic biology, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics. Deficiencies may be made up during the first year of graduate studies.
Special Application Requirements—Three letters of recommendation, scores from the General Test of the GRE, the TOEFL score for international applicants, transcripts, and an autobiographical statement including occupational goals must be submitted to the director of graduate studies. Applications are accepted at any time, but the majority of students are accepted for fall semester. To receive full consideration for financial aid, students must apply for fall semester admission by February 1.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Refer to Microbial Engineering (MICE) in University Courses for courses pertaining to the program.
Use of 4xxx Courses—A limited number of 4xxx courses are permitted toward degree requirements based on director of graduate studies approval. | M.S. Degree Requirements | | The M.S. requires 32 credits (including 10 thesis credits) for Plan A and 32 credits (including 1–4 research credits) for Plan B. The two-year program comprises coursework in a specialized program of microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and chemical engineering. In addition, students present two seminars and teach one laboratory course in advanced microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, or chemical engineering. Students may choose supporting coursework (at least 6 credits) from specified fields, including biochemistry, food science, pharmacognosy, genetics, and cell biology and must demonstrate proficiency in computer programming and one computer language. Plan A students carry out a research project resulting in a thesis. Plan B students complete a summer preceptorship (about 2 1/2 months) in a private company research laboratory or at a research institute in the University, and prepare a Plan B paper based on the research project. Presentation of the original laboratory research thesis/project to the graduate faculty is required at the end of the second year.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—The final exam is oral.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—A minor in microbial engineering is offered at the doctoral level only. Students must complete at least 12 credits, selected in consultation with the director of graduate studies for microbial engineering. | Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Professor
Robert J. Brooker, Genetics and Cell Biology, M2
Peter W. Carr, Chemistry, M2
Paul P. Cleary, Microbiology, M2
Antony Michael Dean, Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, M2
Gary M. Dunny, Microbiology, M2
Lynda B. Ellis, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, M2
Michael C. Flickinger, Biochemistry, M2
James A. Fuchs, Biochemistry, M2
Alan B. Hooper, Genetics and Cell Biology, M2
Wei-Shou Hu, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, M2
Romas Kazlauskas, Biochemistry, M2
R. Scott McIvor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, M2
Michael J. Sadowsky, Soil, Water, and Climate, M2
Janet L. Schottel, Biochemistry, M2
W. Thomas Shier, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, M2
Friedrich Srienc, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, M2
Lawrence P. Wackett, Biochemistry, M2
Carston Wagner, Medicinal Chemistry, M2
Associate Professor
Mark D. Distefano, Chemistry, M2
Arkady Khodursky, Biochemistry, M2
Daniel J. O'Sullivan, Food Science and Nutrition, M2
Claudia Schmidt-Dannert, Biochemistry, M2
Peter Southern, Microbiology, M2
Assistant Professor
Daniel R. Bond, Microbiology, M2
Jeffrey A. Gralnick, Biotechnology Institute, M2
Jennifer Maynard, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, M2
Xianzheng Zhou, Pediatrics, M2 | | | | | |
