Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Seoul National University offers an innovative and comprehensive undergraduate program designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the fundamental processes that govern life at the molecular and cellular levels. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing students for careers in biomedical research, healthcare, biotechnology, and academia. Students will explore a wide range of topics, including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, and systems biology, through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and research projects. The program fosters critical thinking, experimental competence, and an integrative approach to biological sciences, enabling graduates to contribute to advancements in medicine, agriculture, environmental science, and related fields. With access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, students are encouraged to participate actively in ongoing research activities, often collaborating with faculty members who are leading experts in their fields. The department also offers opportunities for international exchanges and internships, enhancing students' global perspectives and professional networks. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be well-prepared for advanced studies or careers that require a solid foundation in molecular and cellular biology. The department is committed to fostering innovation, inquiry, and a passion for scientific discovery, making it an ideal environment for aspiring scientists and researchers to develop their potential.

• Advanced Developmental Biology
• Advanced Ecology 
• Molecular and Cellular Biology 
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Advanced plant science 
• Advanced microbiology
• Organismal biology
• Advanced Evolutionary Biology
• Reading and Research
• Advanced Genetics
• Metabolic disorders 
• Chromatin biology
• Molecular medicine
• Special studies in molecular and cellular biology 
• Biochemistry lectures
• Biophysics lectures 
• Cell biology lectures
• Genetics lectures 
• Molecular biology lectures
• Cell death and human diseases 
• Protein metabolism
• Microbial proteomics 
• Colloqium in molecular and cellular biology 1
• Colloqium in molecular and cellular biology 2 
• Eukaryotic microbiology 
• Advanced cell cycle
• Advanced RNA biology 
• Molecular Biophysics
• Advanced Biochemistry
• Cell Biophysics 
• Advanced Cell Biology
• Advanced Molecular Genetics
• Interaction of Biological Macromolecules 
• Advanced Enzymology 
• Biology of Membranes 
• Cell Signaling
• Regulation of Plant Gene Expression 
• Seminar in molecular and cellular biology 1 
• Seminar in molecular and cellular biology

1. Online
   application
2. 
   proof
   of
   Korean
   
   proficiency
   is
   required;
   
   
   
   
   1)
   Korean
   Proficiency:
   TOPIK
   level
   3
   or
   higher
   
   
   
   
   2)
   Other
   official
   documents
   indicating
   proof
   of
   language
   proficiency (ie.
   SNU
   Korean
   Language
   Center
   Level
   4
   or
   higher)
3. Personal
   Statement
   and
   Study
   Plan
4. Letter
   of
   Recommendation
5. Counselor
   Reference
   
6. Official
   High
   School
   Transcript
   and
   Graduation
   Certificate
7. A
   Copy
   of
   the
   Applicant’s
   Passport
8. Certificate
   of
   Facts
   concerning
   the
   Entry
   and
   Exit
9. Portfolio,
   Records
   of
   Achievement,
   etc.
10. Agreement
    for
    Verification
    of
    Academic
    Record

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

If you wish to apply for the scholarship program, please fill out the scholarship application form every semester. Application period:

• During November(1st semester)
• During May(2nd semester)

International Student Scholarship

• GPA requirement: 3.0 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partial or fully funded)
• Eligibility: International student in the government-funded (government-invited) scholarship, international student

  (self-funded), Korean student living overseas and studying in Korea (undergraduate and graduate course)

Lecture/Research Scholarship

• GPA requirement: 3.3 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester; excluding new students)
• Eligibility: Graduate student recommended by the advising professor; an annual income of less than KRW 12 million
• Working condition: 10 or more hours a week (40 hours/month)
• Responsibility: Assist the lectures by the professor, general electives and research; help students with their course; manage assignments; manage laboratory; fulfill administrative duties for the undergraduate course, etc.
• Funding: Current student: Fully funded tuition and fees and monthly scholarship;

  Research student: Monthly scholarship

• Termination: If on leave of absence, disciplinary action or determined to be unqualified for other reasons

Core TA Scholarship

• Eligibility: Returning graduate student and research student
• Funding: Type A – Tuition (partially funded) and monthly research aid / Type B  – Half of the monthly research aid
• Duration: 1st semester : March – August (6 months) /

  2nd semester: September – February of the following year (6 months)

• Responsibility: Attend the assigned lecture; supervise discussion; check assignments; focus on Laboratory

  sessions/Experiment/Practice courses; assist practice, etc.

SNU Foundation Scholarship

• GPA requirement: 3.3 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partially or fully funded)
• Feature: Scholarship funded by some 200 funds created by Seoul National University Foundation

The following is the scholarship programs offered for graduate applicants. Students may apply for the programs before or during the admission application period. The annual announcement will be posted on this websitehttp://en.snu.ac.kr/apply/info.

Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students (GSFS)

Eligibility

• Asian students, excluding Japanese and Chinese nationals, who wish to study one of the designated graduate programs
  * The programs eligible for this scholarship are subject to change, and different by applicants’ nationalities. The eligible programs list is announced every semester.

Number of Recipients

• Approximately 20

Subsidies

• Tuition fee: full tuition exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters
• Living expenses: 500,000 KRW per month (different according to recipients’ majors)

Application Period

• During admission period for international students every semester

Selection Procedure

• Applicants who submit admission application to SNU’s Office of Admissions ⇒ applicants submit scholarship application to SNU’s Office of International Affairs ⇒ Selection made by respective Colleges/Schools based on the admission documents ⇒ decision noticed

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr

Silk-Road Scholarship

Eligibility

• Applicants from the countries in the ‘Silk-Road’ area who want to study humanities or social sciences, including Korean language, history, culture, politics, and economics

Number of Recipients

• About 5 new graduate students

Subsidies

• Tuition fee: full tuition fee exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters
• Living expenses: maximum of 600,000 KRW per month for 4 semesters
• Airfare: maximum of 1 million KRW for one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: fee exemption at the Language Education Institute

Application Period

• During admission period for international students every Fall semester

Selection Procedure

• Applicants who submit admission application to SNU’s Office of Admissions ⇒ applicants submit scholarship application to SNU’s Office of International Affairs ⇒ Selection made by respective Colleges/Schools based on the admission documents ⇒ decision noticed

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr

Overseas Koreans Scholarship

Eligibility

• Overseas Korean students who wish to take graduate degrees at SNU

Subsidies

• Full tuition exemption
• Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month for 4 semesters
• Insurance fees: approximately 30,000 per month
• Settlement expenses aid upon initial arrival: 500,000 KRW (one-time payment)
• Airfare for one economy round trip
• Language training expenses: for 2 semesters

Application Period

• March and September

Selection Procedure

• Applicants submit applications to Korean embassies in their countries ⇒ the embassies make the first selection ⇒ the Overseas Koreans Foundation make the second selection

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

Eligibility

• International students applying for SNU’s graduate programs

Number of Recipients

• 325

Subsidies

• Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 4 semesters for master’s program and 6 semesters for Ph. D program
• Living expenses: 900,000 KRW per month
• Airfare: one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: for one year
  * Korean language training is mandatory and when the student does not achieve TOPIK grade 3 within a year, she/he is not eligible to enter the degree program
• Others: medical insurance, research fund, thesis printing fees, settlement and returning expenses

Application Period

• February

Selection Procedure

※ Applicants choose one of the following application methods.

• University Recommendation Program: applicants submit applications to SNU’s Office of Admission ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the selection
• Embassy Recommendation Program: applications submit applications to Korean Embassies in their countries ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the selection

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-6971, sck590@snu.ac.kr

The Master of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and related disciplines. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, fostering innovative research capabilities that meet the demands of contemporary biomedical sciences. Students have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research projects under the guidance of renowned faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields. The curriculum includes coursework in molecular mechanisms of biological functions, cellular signaling pathways, genetic analysis, and bioinformatics, among others. Students are encouraged to develop their research proposals, conduct laboratory experiments, and analyze experimental data, thereby gaining valuable hands-on experience. The program also promotes global collaboration, offering students access to international research networks and seminars. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in academia, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, or for further doctoral studies. The university's state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities provide a supportive environment for scholarly pursuits. The program maintains a flexible structure to accommodate both full-time and part-time students, with various funding opportunities available. Overall, the MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Seoul National University strives to cultivate the next generation of scientists who will contribute to advancements in life sciences and improve human health.