Certificate Programs

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Applications for Fall 2024 are closed. Now accepting applications for Spring 2025

(Typical deadlines are Nov 15th for Spring Admission and July 1st for Fall Admission; limited Summer Admission available)

YOU HAVE THE TALENT, AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY

Certificate in Biomedical Sciences

The Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences offered by the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) will provide students with core competencies or exposure to areas of study in the biomedical sciences to prepare them for professional biomedical schools including but not limited to medical, veterinary, and dental schools. In addition certificate students will be able to transfer credits into the departmental MS or PhD in Biology programs should they modify their career goals. Certificate students will choose from a number of course offerings that will expose them to broad areas of anatomy and physiology; biochemical principles and metabolic pathways; microbiology, immunology, and infection; embryology, cell biology, and development. Students will have the opportunity to take up to 3 credit hrs of BIOL 6901 Mentored Non-Thesis Laboratory Research providing one-on-one work with a faculty member in an area of interest. Requests for related courses and substitutions may be approved at the discretion of the Certificate Director and Graduate Programs Director.

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Minimum GPA of 2.8 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all previous work completed beyond high school (secondary school)
  • An online application through the Graduate School’s application system
  • A statement of purpose
  • Unofficial transcripts of all college coursework attempted
  • Official and satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the applicant’s native language and he or she has not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution
  • No GRE

Certificate Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences requires completion of 15 credit hours of elective courses in biomedical sciences selected from the list below. A maximum of 3 credit hours in BIOL 6901 may be used for the certificate.

Additional Notes

  • The Certificate will be awarded upon completion of the courses for 15 or more credit hours, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Only one grade of C may be counted toward the Certificate.
  • The 15 required credit hours must be completed within four years of study starting from the time the first course is taken.
  • Courses taken for one graduate certificate may not be counted toward another graduate certificate.
  • Up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework taken as post-baccalaureate status at UNC Charlotte may be applied toward the Certificate.
  • Credit hours earned in the Certificate program may be applied to the Master’s or Doctoral program in Biology pursued either in conjunction with or after the certificate has been awarded subject to admission to that graduate program.
  • A tuition increment will apply to this program.

Certificate in Biotechnology

The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology offered by the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) will provide students with core competencies and exposure to areas of study in biotechnology to prepare them for the workforce and higher education. The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology is a multi-disciplinary program designed to combine advanced discipline-specific course work with activities that develop communication and technical skills that are highly valued by employers in the biotechnology industry. Successful completion of the Certificate Program will provide students with a solid foundation for success through practical experience gained via internships in laboratories on campus or in local industry. The Certificate Program will also cultivate an awareness of ethical, policy, and management issues related to the biotechnology industry.

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Evidence of sufficient undergraduate preparation in biology with a minimum of 12 credit hours in biology or related study
  • GPA of at least 2.8 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all previous complete work beyond high school (secondary school)
  • An online application through the Graduate School’s application system
  • A statement of purpose
  • Unofficial transcripts of all college coursework attempted
  • Official and satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the applicant’s native language and if he or she has not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution
  • No GRE

Certificate Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology requires 15 credit hours with 9 credit hours of Biological Sciences courses selected from the list below, 3 credit hours of Bioinformatics or Chemistry courses selected from the list below, 1 credit hour Professional Development seminar, and 2 credit hours Research Internship.

Biological Sciences Courses (9 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Bioinformatics and Chemistry Courses (3 credit hours)

Select from the following:

Seminar Course (1 credit hour) offered in Spring 2025

Research Internship (2 credit hours)

Participate in 2 credit hours of a biotechnology-based research internship:

Additional Notes

  • The Certificate will be awarded upon completion of the courses for 15 or more credit hours, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Only one grade of C may be counted toward the Certificate.
  • The 15 required credit hours must be completed within four years of study starting from the time the first course is taken.
  • Courses taken for one graduate certificate may not be counted toward another graduate certificate.
  • Up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework taken as post-baccalaureate status at UNC Charlotte may be applied toward the Certificate.
  • Credit hours earned in the Certificate program may be applied to the Master’s or Doctoral program in Biology pursued either in conjunction with or after the certificate has been awarded subject to admission to that graduate program.
  • A tuition increment will apply to this program.

Admissions and Programs FAQs

Are any specific majors/courses required for admission? Is organic chemistry or physics required for admission? There are no specific courses required for admission. However, since this is a graduate level program, the admissions committee will ensure that each applicant has sufficient background and foundation in biomedical or STEM courses to be successful in our program.

I am working my way towards professional/medical school but I need more science credits, Great. This program requires 15 credits at the graduate level (no undergraduate courses)

If I did not take specific courses such as Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Physics as an undergraduate but need them to apply for professional school, can I take them while enrolled in the certificate program? You may take any undergraduate level courses you wish to meet your professional goals. However only graduate level courses may count toward the 15 credits required for the certificate (or other graduate program such as the Master’s)

I also need to improve my science GPA. Great. This program will provide you with a separate Graduate GPA and thus be able to show professional schools that you can be highly successful at the graduate level course work. This is actually more advantageous than a small number of courses trying to lift a previously obtained GPA–meaning it is better to show a single class at the graduate level that is an A then try to average in an A with many undergraduate courses of a GPA below a 3.0–it won’t bring up the GPA very much.

Can you please walk me through this admissions process? You need to apply and submit your application. I recommend by Oct 15 for January admission and by March 15 for the Fall semester. The reason is that registration opens soon after that and class registration can be competitive and you want to be accepted and be able to register as soon as possible to get a seat in your most desired choices.

Do I pick the classes needed for my chosen school(s) or am I following a curriculum? Because of the wide variety of professional goals we allow you to choose your own courses. I am happy to help you decide on courses and I do provide admitted applicants with a list of possible choices for the upcoming semester–not all courses are offered every semester. There are some but much fewer over the summer.

How competitive is getting into the certificate program (i.e. acceptance rate, average GPA of acceptance)? The certificate program has a high acceptance rate (about 70%) although this may be due to self selection of applicants. The average GPA is difficult because there is a wide spread. It is likely close to 3.0 or 3.2. The certificate program will accept students with a GPA slightly below 3.0 as long as there appears to be a trajectory or a serious interest and focus articulated.

Other than not being a degree program, what other differences are there between a Master’s in biology and a certificate program? Admission to the Master’s program is more competitive. The GPA requirement is higher; at least a GPA of 3.0 and more likely admitted applicants have a 3.4 or higher, and the other aspects of the package are more competitive. Previous research experience is highly valued and letters of recommendation are needed and looked at carefully. All applicants to the Master’s MUST match with a faculty mentor during the admission process. This is because the Master’s requires either a capstone independent project or independent research that leads to a publications–both of these are “open ended” meaning the student needs to be prepared to be a student for as long as it takes to complete the project to the satisfaction of the program and mentor. In addition the Master’s requires 30 credit hours not 15. Overall, the Certificate program can be completed in one semester or one year; the Master’s program takes two years minimum.

Are there assistantships available to those in this program? Our department has a large need for graduate teaching assistant. These are prioritized for PhD and then Master’s programs. Occasionally and on a semester by semester basis there may be an availability for a certificate student.

Is there graduate student housing on campus for students in this program? There is no graduate housing for any program on campus. There are numerous apartment buildings next to/across the street from campus. There are other complexes near by with shuttle buses, and the campus is on the light rail line with a stop in the center of campus itself.