Bio-Molecular Function

The graduate program offered under the Division of Molecular and Life Sciences (DMLS) at POSTECH, which was established in September, 1999 as an interdisciplinary program in biology and biotechnology, annually accepted 35 students for MS and 20 for Ph.D. programs. Participating in the DMLS were 18 professors from the Department of Life Science, 12 professors from Chemistry, and 3 from Chemical Engineering. Evaluated as the best life science graduate program in Korea by the Ministry of Education, the DMLS was awarded a seven-year graduate education grant under the Brain Korea 21 Program in 1999 (about 2 million dollars per year) until 2005. Also, in the annual assessments of university departments by the Korean Council for University Education POSTECH Department of Life Science was evaluated as the best department in 1994 and 2004.

After a successful completion of the first stage of BK21 Program the Division started the Second Stage of BK21 Program of Bio-Molecular Function in 2006. The numbers of professors and graduate students participating in the BK21 Program of Bio-Molecular Function are 18 and 152 respectively, accounting for 90% of Life Science faculty and 82.3% of graduate student body. And the number of participants will be adjusted annually according to fair competitive evaluation system.

To better coordinate research and education in graduate program, the Program has adopted a Track System of four major tracks of Structural and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Cellular & Developmental Biology, and Plant Sciences. Each track provides recommended courses and guides graduate students coherently throughout the program.

The graduate program emphasizes in-depth knowledge and intensive research necessary for developing leadership in the field of life sciences. The Division offered a wide selection of courses, all of which students are free to select for their needs and interests except for three core courses. Oral exams and a written English test (or 550 in TOEFL) are required for all applicants. A minimum of 15 graduate course credits and 13 research credits, together with a thesis, are required for the MS degree, while the Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 9 graduate course credits and 23 research credits beyond the MS level, and a dissertation to be published in internationally recognized journals.

Graduate research is conducted with state-of-the-art instruments and techniques. Graduate students, at an early stage of the program, decide on the research subject of their choice under the guidance of their advising professors, so that they can focus their efforts on the dissertation topics throughout the program. Dissertation research is expected to be distinguished by originality and creativity. Group discussions and seminars provide opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences with experts in and out of POSTECH. Students are also exposed to technological advances in other countries through international exchange and collaboration programs.

To better coordinate research and education in graduate program, the Program has adopted a Track System of four major tracks of Structural and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Cellular & Developmental Biology, and Plant Sciences. Each track provides recommended courses and guides graduate students coherently throughout the program.

• Track 1 : Structural & Molecular Biology
• Track 2 : Molecular Medicine
• Track 3 : Cellular & Developmental Biology
• Track 4 : Plant Science

Track 1 : Structural & Molecular Biology

Based on the knowledge accumulated from protein crystallography, protein engineering, biophysics, bioinformatics, and so on, the Structural and Molecular Biology Group of POSTECH Life Science is trying to elucidate the mechanism of target proteins at the molecular level which play as the sources for various diseases in living organisms. They are also conducting systematic education from basics to applications through research and development of useful bio-activators by effectively controlling and/or activating the target proteins. Particularly, they train the students to become scientists with differentiated international competitiveness which can be readily applied to industry by fusing such leading-edge techniques as protein recognition of computational chemistry, inhibitor designing, spectroscopic analysis, mass analysis, and so on with research techniques of life science, and conducting highly intensive interdisciplinary researches.

Track 2 : Molecular Medicine

Based on in-depth understanding of molecular properties of components of living organisms, fundamental principles in their interrelationship, and how they are related with human diseases, the Molecular Medicine Group try to provide the students with systematic education covering from basics to application so that the knowledge base can be utilized for research and development of new drugs. Focusing on disease areas related with immunology, inflammation, infection, allergy, and so on, the Group aim to produce competent scientists with specialized capacity and leadership in the field of molecular medicine.

Track 3 : Cellular & Developmental Biology

Reflecting the paradigm shift in life science research after the successful completion of the Genome Project, the Cellular and Developmental Biology Group provide a wide-range education not only to elucidate the individual function of bio-components but also to promote understanding of intra-, inter-cellular, network functioning of these components. Students are encouraged for quantitative and convergent thinking of life phenomena, and are educated to become creative and frontier scientists who can create new knowledge and technology through flexible thinking and attitudes.

Track 4 : Plant Sciences

The Plant Sciences Group educate the students to understand the whole process of development and growth in various plants from the stage of 발아 to that of senescence at molecular and cellular levels. They also aim to apply the accumulated knowledge and information through elucidation of fundamental principles of plant systems into plant biotechnology. Students play critical roles for conducting researches to achieve these objectives. Ultimately, the program focuses on producing competent scientists who can be future leaders in the field of plant sciences after graduation.

Major  Electives

• Virology
• Advanced Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Neurobiology
• Plant Physiology
• Advanced Cell Physiology
• Advanced Developmental Biology
• Advanced Cell Biology
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Advanced Molecular Biology I
• Advanced Molecular Biology II
• Viral Molecular Genetics
• Current Topics in Molecular Biology A~D
• Current Topics in Genetics A~D
• Current Topics in Plant Science A~D
• Current Topics in Virology A~D
• Current Topics in Protein A~D Biochemistry and Enzymology
• Current Topics in Cell Biology A~D
• Current Topics in Neuroscience A~D
• Current Topics in Neuroscience A~D
• Graduate Seminar I
• Research and Thesis for M.S.
• Methods in Plant Molecular Genetics
• Methods and Logic in Molecular Biology
• Regulation of Gene Expression
• Practical Methods in Enzymology
• Muscle Physiology
• Receptor Biochemistry
• Developmental Genetics
• Molecular Endocrinology
• Techniques in Cell Membrane and Lipid Biochemistry
• Laboratory Techniques in Plant Physiology
• Techniques in Plant Biochemistry
• Plant-Environment Interaction
• Advanced Plant Pathology
• Current Topics in Protein Crystallography
• Techniques in Molecular Immunology
• Signal Transduction in Cells
• Molecular Biophysics
• Chemical Carciorgenesis and Teratogenesis
• Methods in Cell Physiology
• Mammalian Genetics
• Metabolic Regulation
• Graduate Seminar II
• Research and Thesis

Requirements

• Applicants must fill out the online application.
• Personal Statement and Research Plan - Download format from the website: http://admission.postech.ac.kr/linkUsen.do?f=sub3-2
• Curriculum Vitae (Free style personal resume)
• Copy of Passport
• Signed Consent Form - Download format from the website: http://admission.postech.ac.kr/linkUsen.do?f=sub3-2
• List of Honors and Awards (optional) - Applicants who have received any honors, awards, or fellowships during their undergraduate or graduate studies may list them in the order of importance.
• Application fee: 80 USD or 80,000 KRW
• Official Transcript(s)
• Degree Certificate(s)
• Recommendation Letters - From two recommenders (academic faculty) - Must be e-mailed or sent by post directly by each recommender, enclosed in a sealed envelope.
• Score Report of English Proficiency Test - The official TOEFL/IELTS Score Report issued by ETS/British Council can be sent to POSTECH Graduate Admissions and Student Affairs directly by requesting it at the ETS/ British Council website. Applicants must enter POSTECH’s institution code (0329) in order for ETS to send the official score report to our office. - TOEFL ITP organized only by POSTECH is accepted
• Degree Theses (option

Scholarships

• Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
• Global Education
• POSCO Asia Fellowship
• SK hynix Fellowship
• POSTECH Teaching or Research Assistantship
• POSTECH Fellowship for Excellent International Students(PFES)
• POSTECH Settlement Allowance for New International Students