MicE FAQ

MicE FAQ

Accelerated Studies and Industrial Application

BTI’s MicE program offers a 2-year Masters in Microbial Engineering for students with a biology or engineering background. The program, which began in 1984, accepts four or five students every year. At any given time there are around 9 students in the program. Before graduating, students complete a research project under the direction of a MicE faculty member. Here are some commonly asked questions about the program, past, present, and future.

Could you give an overview of the MicE program?
The MicE program is a research-based Masters program that combines biology and engineering. Most students have biology backgrounds and add engineering knowledge with this program, but some have an engineering background and add biology knowledge. All entering students have some research experience.
How do I find a research advisor? 
Students do three 5-week rotations during their first semester. These rotations involve working on a research question for 10-15 hours per week. Because the faculty includes different departments, students are exposed to a range of ideas and possibilities. Students may do a rotation in Mechanical Engineering and then in Soil Science, which are two radically different fields where your experience is very different. At the end of the three rotations, students choose a lab from among our 48 graduate faculty where they will do their thesis research.                                                                                                                                                                 
Do students get a stipend? 
Yes, all students in the research track get a stipend that pays their tuition and a living expenses. The current living expenses stipend is $24,000 per year.                 
Where are recent graduates now?
After completing the program about half of the students accept industrial positions in biotechnology firms like Cargill, Bio-techne, Beckmann or one of the smaller companies in the Twin Cities. The other half join a Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota or elsewhere. There is no Microbial Engineering Ph.D. program, so they join other departments, often Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics. 

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Student Life

Student Life

Insurance

The cost (premium) per month is $409.29. Your account will be charged $131.10 at the beginning of each semester. This fee is not prorated. The remaining $387.44 monthly balance will be paid as follows: The University share of the $387.44 balance is equal to twice your appointment percentage. Percentages are based on how many hours are worked per semester. For example, if you have a 50% appointment, the University will pay the entire $387.44. Or, if you have a 25% appointment, the University will pay half, and you pay the rest which is billed once at the beginning of the semester to your student account. For more information see the Office of Student Health Benefits webiste.

Housing

Graduate students have the option of both on or off-campus housing at varying costs. For more information about graduate student housing, please read more at Housing & Residential Life.

Twin Cities

The Minneapolis and St. Paul area is the cultural and industrial center of the upper Midwest with a population of about 2.3 million. Beautiful lakes, rivers, and city and state parks combined with the cold winter, cool spring, warm summer, and colorful autumn, provide excellent opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities including biking, camping, swimming, fishing, and skiing.

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About MicE

About MicE

The Graduate Degree in Microbial Engineering was instituted in 1984 to meet the demand in biotechnology industries for employees with advanced training in a combination of microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, and chemical engineering. The program draws both national and international students and on average, accepts five students into the program annually.
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Coursework Examples

Microbial Engineering Coursework

If you have a Bachelor of Science in Biology:

Fall Semester 1 
  • BIOC 5361 Microbial Genomics (3 cr)
  • CSCI 5465 Introduction to Computing for Biologists (3 cr)
  • MICA 8002 Structure, Function, and Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses (4 cr)
  • MICE 8990 Biotechnology Seminar (1 cr) 
 January 1
  • MICE 5355 Advanced Fermentation/Biocatalysis Lab (1 cr)
  • PBS 8123 Research Ethics (0.5 cr) 
Spring Semester 1 
  • BIOC 5309 Biocatalysis and Biodegradation (3 cr)
  • CHEN 4001 Material & Energy (4 cr)
  • MICB 4171 Virology (3 cr)
  • MICE 8920 MicE Teach (1 cr)
  • CHEN 8754 Systems Analysis of Biological Processes (3 cr) 

Summer 1

  • BIOC 4125 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Lab (3 cr)

Fall Semester 2

  •  MICE 8777 Thesis Credit: Master (5 cr)

Spring Semester 2

  • CHEN 5551 Survey of Renewable Energy Technologies (3 cr)
  • MICE 8990 Biotechnology Seminar (1 cr)
  • MICE 8777 Thesis Credit: Master (5 cr) 

 

If you have a Bachelor of Science in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering:

Fall Semester 1 
  • BIOC 5401W Advanced Metabolism (3 cr)
  • MICE 8990 Biotechnology Seminar (1 cr)
  • STAT 5021 Statistical Analysis (4 cr)
January 1
  • MICE 5355 Advanced Fermentation/Biocatalysis Lab (1 cr)
  • PBS 8123 Research Ethics (0.5 cr) 
Spring Semester 1
  • CEGE 4502 Water & Wastewater Treatment (3 cr)
  • CHEN 5751 Biochemical Engineering (3 cr)
  • MICAB 4215 Microbial Physiology and Diversity (3 cr)

Summer 1

  • BIOC 4125 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Lab (3 cr)
Fall semester 2
  • MICE 8777 Thesis Credit: Masters (5 cr)
Spring Semester 2
  • MICE 8777 Thesis Credit: Masters (5 cr)