PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology, Interdisciplinary
Advance Solutions by Becoming an Expert in Your Field
The interdisciplinary PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology gives you the opportunity to work on complex challenges in the field. Through additional coursework, you will specialize your knowledge and gain the technical skills to come up with innovative solutions through the study of cells. The degree will open the doors to competitive opportunities in academia or private industry.
Why Earn a PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology From Clarkson?
Clarkson University's PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology offers a rigorous curriculum and extensive research opportunities for you to become a scholar in the field. During your studies, you will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities and other resources to complete your original projects.
The curriculum is interdisciplinary, and our faculty reflect that scope. You'll be able to work closely with biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and engineers as mentors. Your advisor will help you create an individualized plan that focuses on your areas of interest. Class sizes are small to encourage collaboration and team-building — skills you'll find in laboratories all over the world.
By the time you graduate, you will have acquired specialized knowledge and technical skills in molecular bioscience and biotechnology, the biomedical sciences and neuroscience, computational biology and bioinformatics, ecology and evolution and the environment. Your training will prepare you for further research opportunities in academia or senior roles in related industries.
What You'll Learn
This program consists of 90 credit hours of coursework, seminars and a dissertation. The required courses include:
Two core courses in cell and molecular biology.
One biotechnology or molecular biology lab course.
Two specialization elective courses from one of four categories (Molecular Bioscience & Biotechnology; Biomedical Science & Neuroscience; Computational Biology & Bioinformatics or Ecology, Evolution & the Environment).
One free elective course from any category.
One course from the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics category.
One course on bioethics, policy or law.
We offer the following areas of concentration:
Biomedical Science & Neuroscience
Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
Ecology, Evolution & the Environment
Molecular Bioscience & Biotechnology
Required Courses
Specific course requirements for the Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Biotechnology (IBB) program include the following: two core courses in cell and molecular biology (BY580 & BY582); one biotechnology or molecular biology lab course (BY512 or CM570); two specialization elective courses from one of four categories (Molecular Bioscience & Biotechnology; Biomedical Science & Neuroscience; Computational Biology & Bioinformatics; Ecology, Evolution & the Environment); one free elective course from any category; one course from the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics category; and one course on bioethics, policy, or law.
Example Courses and Concentrations
Molecular Bioscience & Biotechnology
BY510 Developmental Biology (3 cr)
BY512 Molecular Biology Laboratory (4 cr)
BY515 Recent Advances in Immunology Research (1 cr)
BY560 Comparative Physiology (3 cr)
BY562 Comparative Physiology Laboratory (2 cr)
BY580 Advanced Cell Biology (3 cr)
BY582 Molecular Genetics (3 cr)
BY586 Molecular Biotechnology (3 cr)
BY650 Biochemistry I (3 cr)
BY651 Biochemistry II (3 cr)
BY652 Pharmacology (3 cr)
CM520 Separations and Electrochemistry (3 cr)
CM530 Colloid and Interfaces (3 cr)
CM544 Medicinal Chemistry (3 cr)
CM553 Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Biomaterials (3 cr)
BY515 Recent Advances in Immunology Research (1 cr)
BY518 Principles of Toxicology and Epidemiology (3 cr)
BY519 Immunobiology (3 cr)
BY520 Microbiology (3 cr)
BY540 Introduction to Biomedical Rehabilitation Engineering & Science (3 cr)
BY548 Medical Microbiology (3 cr)
BY555 Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer (3 cr)
BY560 Neurobiology (3 cr)
BY571 Anatomy & Physiology I (3 cr)
BY572 Anatomy & Physiology II (3 cr)
BY573 Anatomy & Physiology Lab I (2 cr)
BY574 Anatomy & Physiology Lab II (2 cr)
BY576 Current Topics in Biology & Medicine (3 cr)
BY588 Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (3 cr)
BY604 Molecular Pharmacology (3 cr)
ME380 Special Topics: Biomechanics (3 cr)
Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
BY514 Bioinformatics (4 cr)
BY610 Ecological Statistics and Experimental Design (3 cr)
ES505 Design of Experiments and Analysis of Data (3 cr)
MA571 Numerical Solution of Differential Equations (3 cr)
MA580 Introduction to Monte Carlo Simulation (3 cr)
STAT582 Mathematical Statistics I (3 cr)
Ecology, Evolution, and the Environment
BY525 Biological Systems & Environmental Change (3 cr)
BY528 Conservation Biology (3 cr)
BY531 Limnology (3 cr)
BY532 Limnology Laboratory (2 cr)
BY620 Evolution (3 cr)
CE575 Coastal Engineering (3 cr)
CE577 Atmospheric Chemistry (3 cr)
CE579 Water and Wastewater Treatment Design (3 cr)
CE580 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr)
CE682 Environmental Biological Processes (3 cr)
CH509 Receptor Modeling in Environmental Chemistry (3 cr)
EHS505 Methods and Analysis (3 cr)
ES533 Human Exposure Analysis (3 cr)
ES534 Air Pollution Control (3 cr)
To apply, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:
Possess a baccalaureate (four-year) degree in biology or a relevant science (e.g., biochemistry, biophysics, environmental science).
Three semesters of biology, including genetics.
Four semesters of chemistry, including organic chemistry.
Two semesters of physics.
Two semesters of mathematics, including calculus.
Solving real-world problems based on cutting-edge research is at the core of what we do. With access to nationally recognized faculty and 18 research centers and laboratories, we have the resources you need to advance in your field. Our more than 380 partners in industry, government agencies, chambers of commerce and research organizations also offer graduate students a wealth of opportunities to continue doing their important work.
Our faculty are recognized as leaders in their respective fields and are at the helm of cutting-edge projects. They collaborate closely with each other to provide innovative solutions for complex problems. Our faculty members also value the talents of students and serve as active and engaged mentors.
PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology students have two options for completing their coursework: entirely onsite at our main campus in Potsdam, New York, or in a hybrid format, with a mix of online and onsite courses.
Many of our full-time, research-based master's and PhD programs are housed in Potsdam. You will be in close proximity to many of our research labs and centers, our libraries and other resources.
In your statement, please mention two or three faculty members who you believe would be good advisors/supervisors based on their research areas.
Three letters of recommendation.
Official transcripts.
GRE test scores.
Optional: Applications will be read without GRE test scores, but applicants should submit scores if they believe they will enhance their application.
For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required.
Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.
Prerequisites: Applicants should possess a baccalaureate (four-year) degree in biology or a relevant science (e.g., biochemistry, biophysics, environmental science) with the following minimum college course preparation: three semesters of biology, including genetics; four semesters of chemistry, including organic chemistry; two semesters of physics and two semesters of mathematics, including calculus.
All graduate students are considered for University merit-based financial assistance, including teachings assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships and scholarships. This aid is awarded by each academic department. Not all types of assistantships are available in all programs. Please visit the financial aid, costs and scholarships page to learn about department-specific assistance.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) provide a stipend plus full tuition. Duties include an average of 12 hours of work per week for 50 weeks or 20 hours of work per week for 30 weeks. Duties may include assisting in the laboratory or recitation sections and grading of reports or homework.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistantships (RAs) require no teaching responsibilities and provide a standard stipend plus full tuition. Work is determined by the project's principal investigator (PI).
Career Possibilities
The PhD in Bioscience and Biotechnology opens the doors to competitive roles in academia and other research centers. Our graduates also go on to work in a variety of professions and fields, including:
Agriculture
Biotech companies
Energy companies
Environmental conservation
Government agencies
Healthcare companies
Higher education
Medical laboratories
Pharmaceuticals
Recent Employers
You'll find our students employed by these leading organizations:
Caris Life Sciences
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Harford Community College
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Procter & Gamble
Senti Biosciences
Susquehanna University
Postdoctoral Work
Some students have pursued postdocs at schools like:
Specialize your knowledge and become an independent scholar with a PhD in Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Biotechnology from Clarkson. To take the next step:
