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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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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.

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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.

Coursework Examples

Microbial Engineering Coursework

Each student develops an individualized coursework plan based on their past education and future interests. Some examples are as follows:

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)

A Research Based Approach

Combining Biological Sciences with Engineering

Microbial Engineering

The Masters of Science in Microbial Engineering combines biological sciences with engineering. Research projects and most courses involve the interdisciplinary faculty of the BioTechnology Institute. Graduates work in the biotechnology industry or join other graduate programs for PhD studies.

Full-time research track with stipend (most common)

Time: 2 years

Description: The research track combines coursework in biological sciences and chemical engineering with research in faculty laboratories and seminar presentations. Students spend more than half of their time on a thesis research project in one of the BTI faculty laboratories. Students receive a tuition credit, healthcare, and a living stipend of $24,000 per year.

Coursework: Students choose coursework from biochemistry, food science, pharmacology, plant biology, genetics, cell biology, bioinformatics, and engineering. Students must demonstrate proficiency in one computer programming language. The graduate thesis is based on original laboratory or investigative work.

31 total credits required:

6 cr – Biological Sciences (Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology)

6 cr – Chemical Engineering

2 cr – Seminar

6 cr – Related Field Electives

1 cr – MicE 5950 Fermentation

10 cr – Research in faculty laboratories

Part-time industrial track without stipend

Time: varies

Description: Intended for industry employees who can continue working while pursuing the MicE degree part time. This option substitutes additional coursework for the research in the laboratory and does not provide a stipend. The students (or their employer) pay tuition fees.

Coursework: Required classes mirror the research track and emphasize the biological sciences and engineering. Students are required to write a research paper and present a report on industrial research, which may be part of their current work.

31 total credits required:

9 cr – Biological Sciences (Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology)

9 cr – Chemical Engineering

2 cr – Seminar

6 cr – Related Field Electives

1 cr – MicE 5950 Fermentation

4 cr – Industrial research report (Preceptorship)

Masters of Science in Microbial Engineering is a research based program. Most students join faculty labs as Research Assistants (research track), where they receive a tuition credit, healthcare, and a living stipend of $24,000 per year. Students in the research track typically graduate in 2 to 2½ years after the completion of an original research project under the direction of a MicE faculty member. For students sponsored by their employer (industrial track), the program takes 1½ to 2 years to complete and requires a summer internship arranged by BTI (usually between the second and third semesters). Either track would support a subsequent move to a related doctorate program. Compare the two tracks below.

How to apply

How to Apply

Application Procedures

January 14 is the deadline for admission.

Apply through the Graduate School using Apply Yourself, the University of Minnesota’s online application system.
When you start an application, be sure to save your user name and password to return to it.
A $75 application fee is due when you submit your application.
Decisions will be made in early March, and you have until April 15 to accept or decline our offer.

DEADLINE: All applications and supporting materials must be completed and received by January 14.

Application Guidelines

A firm grounding in mathematics is a must, especially for students from a biology-related background. Three calculus courses are preferred, and two are a minimum. The expectation is for strong grades in those courses.
Most admitted students have a GPA above 3.5.
The GRE is not required.
We require three letters of recommendation and a professional statement about how the Microbial Engineering program fits your career goals.
Research experience is a critical component of most successful applications. Include letters of recommendation from your research/lab supervisors.
International applicants are required to provide English language test scores (TOEFL or IELTS).

Equity and Diversity

Supporting a diverse student body is central to the academic mission of the University. Diversity includes economic disadvantage, unique talents, evidence of leadership qualities, race or ethnicity, a strong work record, and disability. The graduate program in Microbial Engineering provides equal access to educational opportunities through recruitment, admission, and support programs that promote diversity, foster successful academic experiences, and cultivate the leaders of the next generation.

Financial Support

Research Assistantship positions are available to research track students with a biweekly stipend and subsidized tuition and health insurance. Applicants are notified of acceptance and financial commitments in early March of each year.