Studying molecular biology in the USA will give advanced knowledge in various areas of science such as biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and cell biology. You gain knowledge across levels of biological organization from the gene/molecular/cellular to the development and physiology of individual organisms, along with their adaptation to local environments. Studying molecular biology in the USA will give you an opportunity to pursue research experiences with faculty in the medical or life sciences, and internships with regional biotechnology corporations.

You can obtain both a bachelor’s degree as well as a postgraduate degree in molecular biology in the USA. However, you must have the right qualifications before you study molecular biology in the USA. Therefore, you need to make sure that your credentials correspond to the school’s admission requirements.

In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements that are needed for studying molecular biology in the USA.

Requirements for Studying Molecular Biology in the USA

  1. Complete your Secondary Education

    You must complete your secondary education to your 12th grade before you can study molecular biology at the University. This is an important requirement for studying molecular biology in the United States. Additionally, you must have a minimum of credits in your certificate. You must have subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and English Language.

  2. Write the Standardized Tests

    Some Universities in the United States might require you to write tests such as SAT(Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT(American College Testing). Each university has a particular score that an applicant is supposed to meet. Therefore, you should verify from your university of choice. You need to know the university’s required score before applying.

  3. English Proficiency

    International students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Test. You can take tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum test for IELTS is 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.

  4. Meet the Academic Requirements

    You must meet the minimum requirements for the University you are applying to. Each University might have specific requirements that they expect from each applicant. Therefore, you should verify the requirements before submitting your application.

  5. Letters of Recommendation

    You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, recommendation letters from a friend or family will be rejected.

Requirements to Obtain a Masters Degree in Molecular Biology in the USA

  1. Have a Bachelor’s Degree

    If you are applying for a postgraduate degree, you need a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to biology. Additionally, you should have a minimum of second-class upper honours.

  2. Submit Academic Transcripts

    You need to submit your academic transcripts during your application. Your transcripts should contain all the courses you studied as well as the grades. Additionally, your transcript must be submitted in the English Language.

  3. English Proficiency

    International students need to take an English Language Proficiency Test. You can take tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Different universities have the preferred test that they use for screening. The minimum test for IELTS is 7.0. However, you need to verify from your school of interest to know the test you can take.

  4. Graduate Recommendation Test(GRE)

    Some Universities in the USA will require you to write a GRE. Therefore, You need to write the GRE tests to gain admission. Additionally, each university has a minimum GRE score. Therefore, you need to verify the university’s GRE score before submitting your application.

  5. Letters of Recommendation

    You need to have at least three recommendation letters. It should consist of 2 academic and 1 professional letter. These letters must be obtained from an employer or a previous lecturer. Therefore, you should not use a recommendation letter from a friend or family.

  6. Personal Statement

    You have to write a personal statement or essay stating why you wish to study molecular biology in the United States. This is important for a postgraduate degree. This personal statement is a crucial requirement for admission. Additionally, you should also discuss your career goals and how your academic and personal background has prepared you to study molecular biology.

  7. Submit your CV

    If you are applying for a postgraduate course in molecular biology, you need to submit a CV. This CV should contain your area of interest as well as your achievements. Additionally, it should contain your work experiences.

How to Apply

You can apply to study molecular biology by applying through the school’s website. However, postgraduate applicants may be required to pay an application fee by some universities. The application fee ranges from 35 USD to 100 USD. The pricing may be different at a later time, kindly check the website for updated information

Duration

The duration for studying molecular biology in the United States varies depending on the type of degree you are studying. The Undergraduate degree lasts for four years. However, the postgraduate degree lasts for about 1-2 years.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for studying molecular biology in the United States is from $19,000 to $60,000 per year. However, this may vary depending on the university and the type of degree. Additionally, International students pay higher tuition fees.

Universities in the USA that offer Molecular Biology

  1. Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
  2. Stanford University, California
  3. University of California – San Francisco, California
  4. University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
  5. Yale University, Connecticut
  6. University of Washington – Seattle, Washington
  7. University of California-San Diego, California
  8. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
  9. Cornell University, New York State
  10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
  11. University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
  12. Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
  13. Columbia University, New York State
  14. University of California – Los Angeles, California
  15. Washington University in St Louis, Missouri
  16. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  17. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas
  18. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Texas
  19. Rockefeller University, New York State
  20. University of California – Berkeley, California
  21. University of Chicago, Illinois
  22. New York University, New York State
  23. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota
  24. University of California – Davis, California
  25. Emory University, Georgia
  26. University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  27. Northwestern University, Illinois
  28. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
  29. University of Southern California, California
  30. University of Iowa, Iowa State
  31. University of Florida, Florida
  32. Ohio State University, Ohio
  33. Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
  34. Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
  35. Boston University, Massachusetts
  36. Rutgers University – New Brunswick, New Jersey
  37. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts
  38. University of Utah, Utah
  39. University of Virginia, Virginia
  40. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, Illinois

In Conclusion, studying molecular biology in the USA is a rewarding venture that can give you access to various opportunities and career paths. As a result, this course requires you to have the complete qualifications before you can gain admission. Therefore, you need to verify the basic academic requirements of each school before you make your application. Additionally, you should make sure that you make your applications early before the deadline. You can reach out to us for any further inquiries or assistance.

Good luck!

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