The Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE) is involved in teaching, innovation and application of modern technology for agricultural and industrial development in Hawaii. We teach Biological Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology, with the understanding that together these subjects support the foundation of new technologies to advance human needs. Our faculty conduct innovative research on crops, snails, and microalgae, isolate novel and useful bioactive molecules, and make improvements in these molecules using recombinant technology and biochemical methods. We also work for developing disease resistance in Hawaii's agriculturally important plants like papaya and forestry trees - Acacia koa and giant leucaena. Our biological engineering faculty creatively manipulate biomolecules and biological systems for addressing the next challenges in Hawaii.
MBBE Graduate program represents one of the most successful intercollege, interdisciplinary graduate programs at UH. Since 2000, MBBE has collaborated with JABSOM, CRCH, College of Natural Sciences, HNEI, Sea Grant program, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center and other CTAHR departments like HNFAS, TPSS and PEPS for training our next generation of researchers and educators with PhD and MS degrees. The goal of the program is to prepare a well-trained workforce for Hawaii. The program awarded 110 PhD and 151 MS degrees from 2004 to present. Our graduates have been publishing in high-impact journals and are getting employed in both academia and industry. Some of our past graduates have reached leadership positions in academia and industries. The program has currently 70 students, 40 of them are PhD students and 30 are MS students.
Biological Engineering (BE) UG Program prepares students to work in various agricultural and environmental engineering industries in Hawaii. Sixty-five students have graduated from the program since 2009. A few of these graduates joined MS and PhD degree programs and the rest got suitable employment opportunities in several companies in Hawaii.
Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB) UG program is the training hub for Biotechnology at UH Manoa. The MBB UG program was started in the year 2013 and is unique because all students gain two semesters of research experience in a laboratory. Graduates of the program enter the growing biotechnology industry or are accepted to various national graduate programs, as well as JABSOM's MD program and MBBE's MS and PhD programs..
Explore these department web pages and begin your journey to new educational experiences, career options and conducting cutting-edge scientific research in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering.
A temporary committee: In the first semester, the graduate Chair appoints a temporary committee for each PhD student. The committee comprises the student's supervisor (major advisor), the Graduate Chair, and a faculty member. The committee advises the student on course work and other academic and research related matters.
Course work. Students with a previous Master's degree in the biosciences are required to take a minimum of three credits of 400-level (excluding 499) and nine credits of 600-level (excluding 699) courses from the list of approved courses (refer to the courses tab above). Students without a Master's degree are required to take an additional two courses (three credits each of 400 and 600-level). The courses must be pre-approved by the major advisor and Graduate Chair. A minimum of 12 credits of MBBE 699 (directed research) and one credit of MBBE 800 are also required of all students. MBBE 800 is taken preferably in the final semester. Students are encouraged to take one credit of seminar (MBBE 610 or equivalent) each academic year. Two seminar credits are required for the PhD degree. The dissertation proposal or defense seminar cannot be used to meet this requirement.
