National Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

• Course Offerings

Contact Information

---

Director: 9818500 local 3951
Admin Staff: 9253250 / 9818500 loc. 8615-16
Supply Office: 9818500 loc. 3955
Laboratory: 9818500 loc. 8620
Telefax: 9253249

Undergraduate Programs

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BS MBB) provides a well-rounded undergraduate education that is particularly suited to future careers in research and teaching, in both academic and industrial settings.

---

• BS Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
  

Undergraduate Admission

The BS MBB program currently admits 60 students per year, taken from the top qualifiers in the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT).

Admission Policies for Shiftees and Transfer Students

The Institute accepts students into the undergraduate program during the first semester only (deadline for filing of application: April 30). As BS MBB is a quota course, the number of students that can be admitted into the program is dependent on the number of available slots.

Requirements for Transfer Students or Shiftees within the UP System
a) cumulative weighted average of grades = 1.75 or better
b) has taken at least 15 units of a combination of Math, Physics,
Chemistry, NatSci with a weighted average of 1.80 or better.

Requirements for Transfer Students from outside the UP System
a) cumulative weighted average of grades = 1.50 or better
b) has taken at least 15 units of a combination of Math, Physics,
Chemistry, NatSci with a weighted average of 1.80 or better.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MS MBB)

The program aims to provide an excellent graduate education that will prepare students for molecular biology careers in the academe, as well as in the industrial, biomedical and environmental fields.

Each student in the MS MBB program is required to complete at least 24 units of graduate courses consisiting of 15 units of core courses and nine units of electives, as well as a thesis requirement.

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (PhD MBB)

The Ph.D program aims to produce graduates who are capable of undertaking independent research and development programs in molecular biology and biotechnology. Students in the PhD MBB program are required to complete the following, in addition to a dissertation requirement:
BS degree holders: 45 units of formal graduate courses consisting of 15 units of core courses and 30 units of specialty electives

MS MBB degree holders: 25 units of specialty electives

MS degree holders from other disciplines: 25 to 45 units of formal graduate courses as specified by the NIMBB-UPD Graduate Committee

---

• MS Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Graduate Admission
Master of Science in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Admission Requirements
1. Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution of higher learning.

2. General Weighted Average (GWA) of 2.0 or better

3. GWA of 2.2 (for UP graduates) or 2.0 (for non-UP) or better in Natural Sciences and Math (NSM)

4. For non-BS MBB majors, the following undergraduate courses are prerequisites:

MBB 125 Molecular Physiology of Eukaryotic Systems
MBB 130 Molecular Biophysics
MBB 140 Molecular Genetics
MBB 141 Principles of Gene Manipulation
5. High degree of intellectual capacity and aptitude for graduate study, as evaluated by the Graduate Committee

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (with MS)

Admission Requirements 1. Relevant MS Degree

2. General Weighted Average (GWA) of 2.0 in BS degree or better with 1.75 GWA in Natural Science and Math

3. GWA of 1.75 in graduate degree

4. For non-BS MBB majors, the following undergraduate courses are prerequisites:

MBB 121 Molecular Physiology of Eukaryotic Systems
MBB 130 Molecular Biophysics
MBB 140 Molecular Genetics
MBB 141 Principles of Gene Manipulation
Must receive a grade of 2.25 or better in each of these subjects.
5. High intellectual capacity and aptitude for graduate study in MBB, as evaluated by the Graduate Committee

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Straight PhD)

Admission Requirements
For BS Graduates:

Relevant BS Degree with at least cum laude in honors
Must have taken MBB Graduate prerequisites (MBB 121, MBB 130, MBB 140, MBB 141) or their equivalents for non-MBB degree holders.
For those accepted in the MS MBB Program to shift to the Straight PhD Program:

Minimum performance of 1.50 in each of the Undergrad Prerequisite subjects for non-MBB degree holders.
Completion of at least two (2) core graduate courses with a minimum grade of 1.50 in each course.
Recommendation letter from Program or Research Adviser.

Faculty

Senior Faculty

  Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma [cpsaloma@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

Director
Ph.D. in Physiology
Osaka University
Research Interests: developmental biology, neurology

  Dr. Denise Noelle R. Mirano-Bascos [dmbascos@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

Deputy Director
Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology
Tulane University
Research Interests: immunology

  Dr. Cynthia T. Hedreyda [chedreyda@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

Ph.D. in Microbiology
University of Georgia
Research Interests: molecular microbiology, industrial biotechnology

  Dr. Reynaldo L. Garcia [reygarcia@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

PhD in Molecular Biology
The Australian National University
Research Interests: biotechnology enterprise, cancer research

  Dr. Vermando M. Aquino [vmaquino@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
University of Florida
Research Interests: plant pathology, plant biotechnology

  Dr. Neil Andrew D. Bascos [neil.andrew.bascos@mbb.upd.edu.ph]

Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology
Tulane University
Research Interests: structural biology

  Dr. Jose Enrico H. Lazaro [lazarojay@gmail.com]

Ph.D. in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology
University of Paris
Research Interests: pharmacology, toxicology

  Dr. Wilberto D. Monotilla [wdmonotilla@mbb.upd.edu,ph]

Ph.D. in Aquatic Biosciences
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Research Interests: aquatic science, applied phycology, algal biotechnology, aquaculture

  Dr. Ma. Anita M. Bautista

PhD in Agricultural Science
Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
Research Interests: entomology, bioinformatics

Dr. Eloise I. Prieto

PhD in Integrated Life Science
Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Research Interests: chromatin folding, archeobacteria

Junior Faculty

  Andrea Francesca M. Salvador 

M.S. in MBB (ongoing)
University of the Philippines

  Alvin B. Bello  

M.S. in MBB (ongoing)
University of the Philippines

  Erica Espano  

M.S. in MBB (ongoing)
University of the Philippines

  Francine Lianne C. Emralino  

M.S. in MBB (ongoing)
University of the Philippines