Explore the M.S. in Biotechnology program at Syracuse University! We are a uniquely interdisciplinary, non-thesis academic, research and laboratory training program. This is the right program for students seeking an industry job or looking to pursue further studies afterwards. The College of Arts and Sciences and the Whitman School have a new dual degree program combining our M.S. in Biotechnology with a master of business administration. You can find more information about the program here.

Quick Links:

• General information and deadlines
• Admission requirements
• Required application materials
• Financial information
• Application process
• Start my application
• Information for international students

Program Highlights

• Flexible, customizable options;
• Rigorous, advanced scientific training and education;
• Minimum of 36 total credits required;
• Completion time 2-3 semesters;
• Real-world, hands-on experience from either independent research or an industry internship;
• Expert guidance in professional development throughout the program.

We offer general or specialized tracks, allowing a personalized experience for students to follow their interests.

Applying to the M.S. in Biotechnology Program

General Information

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Fall and Spring terms. Summer admissions are limited. Therefore, please contact the biotechnology program at biotech@syr.edu before applying for Summer admission.

More information about the application process can be found at Syracuse University Graduate Admissions

Financial Support

For detailed information about estimated graduate school costs, and potential sources of financial aid, refer to the following: 

• Graduate Cost of Attendance
• Apply for Financial Aid
• Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs

In addition to financial aid, various types of additional financial assistance may be available to some biotechnology graduate students, such as:

• tuition discounts
• student grants
• student scholarships
• teaching assistantships (including tuition reduction credits and a stipend)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have earned a B.S. or a B.A. degree and should have at least a minimal background in chemical, physical and biological sciences, including: at least one college-level mathematics course, two to three years of biology courses, and at least two chemistry courses.

Although not required, a year of biochemistry is desirable for students interested in the BioMedical Sciences Track, and a year of physics is desirable for students interested in the Industrial Biotechnology Track.

Special consideration is given to students who have conducted undergraduate research and whose recommendations attest to their skills in the laboratory or field and show promise in research.

To get started, complete the application form.

Required Application Materials

• Syracuse University Graduate Application Form (online)
• Personal Statement: include research and/or teaching experience, research interests, career goals, and any other relevant information about your qualifications as an applicant that you would like us to consider
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• CV or resume
• Transcripts (unofficial transcripts may be uploaded for review purposes)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. Official scores must be reported (use CODE 2823).

Optional Application Materials

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required of applicants. However, if you have taken the GRE exam, you may submit your official scores with your application. (To report your official scores to Syracuse University, use CODE 2823.) High scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing tests of the GRE may strengthen your application.

IMPORTANT NOTE regarding GPA, GRE, and TOEFL/IELTS scores:

We do not have any average or minimum required GPA, GRE scores, or TOEFL/IELTS scores. Each applicant is evaluated on an individual basis. A GPA is below 3.0 is considered low, but an applicant with strong signs of potential for improvement still has a chance for admission. In reviewing applications, we look for strengths that might compensate.

Supplemental Application Materials

Supplemental application materials being mailed to Syracuse University should be sent to one of the following two addresses, depending upon the delivery method:

Via the U.S. Postal Service
Graduate Admissions Processing
P.O. Box 35060
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13235-5060

Via a package delivery service (e.g., FedEx, UPS, DHL)
Graduate Admissions Processing
716 East Washington Street, Suite 200
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13210-1572

Application Procedure

APPLY here: Online application

Letters of recommendation must be uploaded on CollegeNET by the recommender (this is the preferred method), OR delivered by mail in a sealed envelope to Graduate Admissions Processing directly from the recommender. (Mailing address: Graduate Admissions Processing, P.O. Box 35060, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13235-5060)

Applications are reviewed by the M.S. Biotechnology admissions committee. Decisions regarding suitability for admission are made as soon as possible.

Incomplete applications may delay review of your application.

The Syracuse University Graduate Admissions office directs the processing of graduate admissions and applications for the entire University, including applications to the M.S. in Biotechnology program. For more information about the application process, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.

The institution code for Syracuse University is 2823. You will be asked by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for this code when requesting that your official GRE and/or TOEFL scores be electronically forwarded to Syracuse University.