Biology/Biotechnology (4+1), BS/PSM

It is possible to complete your Masters degree in Biotechnology in just one additional year!

  • Reduced tuition cost compared to the 2-year Master’s in Biotechnology program.
  • Excellent job placement rate – almost all of our students immediately obtain well-paid jobs in the biotech sector. We use our company network and scientific advisory board to help students find jobs in industry.

How to Apply

Most students apply to the 4+1 program at the end of their 3rd year. If you're interested, please include:

  • Two letters of recommendation - including one from a Biology department faculty member recommenders can email directly to Program Director.
  • No GRE scores required
  • Resume or CV
  • Personal statement (around 2 pages, double-spaced): discuss your background and interests, any work or research experience, your interest in the biotechnology field, and any information about why you are a good candidate for this program).
  • Students scheduled to complete their undergraduate Biology degree from USF in May should email their applications to the Program Director by March 1 the previous year. Students scheduled to complete their undergraduate degree in December should email their applications to the Program Director by October 1 the previous year. If you have any questions about the 4+1 program or the application process, feel free to email Luwei Xie.

Email the Administrative Program Director Luwei Xie at lxie3@usfca.edu if you have questions about the 4+1 program in Biotechnology.

Sample Curriculum

Students complete a combination of graduate science courses, lab courses, and biotechnology business courses.

Fourth Year Fall Semester

Core Course
Upper Division Biology Elective 
Evolution (BIOL 414)
Molecular Biology (BTEC 620)*
Career Preparation Seminar (BTEC 601)

Fourth Year Spring Semester

Core Course
Upper Division Biology Elective
General Elective
Molecular Genetic & Biotech (BTEC 685/686)*
Seminar: Molecular Biology (BTEC 600)

Fifth Year Fall Semester

Adv Research Methods (BTEC 688/689)
Global/US Regulatory Affairs (BTEC 610)**
Legal Social Ethical Biotech (BTEC 611)**
Bioinformatics (BTEC 640) 

Fifth Year Spring Semester

Local, National, Global Biotech (BTEC 612)**
Bioinnovation Management (BTEC 615)**
Internship in Biotechnology (BTEC 697)
BTEC Elective

* BTEC 620 and BTEC 685/686 count towards your BS in Biology degree as well as the PSM in Biotechnology degree (8 units total).

 ** If there is space in your 4th year schedule, you may take additional biotech grad courses which will count as elective units for the undergraduate degree and requirements for the PSM degree.  These include the 2 unit bioentrepreneurship courses (BTEC 610, 611, 612 and/or 615).  No more than 18 units can be completed during your 4th year and applied towards the PSM degree.

Application information

  • Most students apply to the 4+1 program at the end of their 3rd year (application deadline is March 1 each year)
  • No GRE scores are required
  • Application requirements include: 3.0 USF GPA required, statement of purpose, resume, 2 letters of recommendation