Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, MS

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Entrance Requirements

Minimum qualifications for admittance as a regular student are an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or equivalent degree from a recognized foreign institution of higher learning and a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
All prospective students must submit scores from the GRE General Test. In cases where foreign students encounter difficulty in taking the examination, submission of scores may be delayed with permission from Graduate Division. Foreign students must also submit TOEFL scores (see Graduate Bulletin for exceptions.) A minimum TOEFL score of 250 in computer-based test or 100 in internet-based test is required.
All applicants are expected to have completed courses or equivalents in physics, chemistry, basic biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and one additional upper division course in cellular or molecular biology. While not a requirement, physical chemistry is highly recommended. Students may be accepted with deficiencies in one or more of these areas, however, deficiencies must be made up during the first year as a graduate student. Such courses may not be used for graduate credit.

General Guidelines and Requirements for MS Plan A

Minimum course requirements: 12 credits of 600-level courses (not including MBBE 699 ), 6 credits of 400 level courses (not including MBBE 499 ), 6 credits of MBBE 699 and 6 credits of MBBE 700 . Graduate students are encouraged to take one credit seminar (MBBE 610 or equivalent) each academic year. They require at least one seminar credit for MS degree. The thesis proposal or defense seminar cannot be used to meet this requirement. All courses must be approved by the committee and the graduate chair.
Two-page proposal. Like PhD students, MS students also need to discuss with their major advisors about their research projects and write a two-page proposal within the first semester.
A thesis proposal seminar: MS students need to present their preliminary results and the plan of work in a proposal seminar. MS students who conduct research in laboratories outside the Mānoa campus may present their proposal seminars in their laboratory locations.
Presentation at the CTAHR symposium. MS Plan A students must make at least one presentation in the CTAHR symposium. They are encouraged to make presentations in other national and international conferences.
Thesis defense. MS Plan A students must present a public presentation of work in the final semester. Students should consult with their committee and the graduate chair for a convenient date for this presentation at the middle of the final semester. (Note: Graduate Division deadlines change each year).
Publication. Students are encouraged to publish a paper in a peer-reviewed scientific journal before defense.

General Guidelines and Requirements for MS Plan B

Minimum course requirements: 18 credits of 600-level courses (not including MBBE 699 ), 9 credits of 400 level courses (not including MBBE 499 ), 3 credits of MBBE 699 . Graduate students are encouraged to take one credit seminar (MBBE 610 or equivalent) each academic year. They require at least one seminar credit for MS degree. The final research presentation cannot be used to meet this requirement. All courses must be approved by the graduate chair.
Research report, final presentation and oral exam. Plan B students also do a research project for at least one semester. The results of this research should be written as a ‘research report’ and submitted to a committee composed of the research advisor, another faculty, and the graduate chair. The results also must be presented as a seminar in the final semester. At the end of the presentation, the committee will ask questions about the research project and other related subject. The written report should be about 10-20 pages, double space, and should contain the following sections: abstract (200-300 words), introduction (background and justification, 1-page), literature review (3-7 pages), objectives, materials and methods (3-7 pages), results and discussion (3-10 pages), and references. For graduation, a student must obtain satisfactory grades in the research report, oral presentation, and the oral exam.