Integrative Organismic Biology

Integrative Organismic Biology at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complexity of life forms and their interactions within ecosystems. This program aims to cultivate experts who possess a deep knowledge of organismal biology, evolutionary processes, ecology, physiology, and biodiversity, integrating these areas to address contemporary biological challenges. Students will explore the structural and functional diversity of organisms, from microorganisms to plants and animals, and examine their roles in maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience. Through rigorous coursework, laboratory research, and field studies, participants gain hands-on experience in advanced scientific techniques and data analysis, preparing them for careers in research, conservation, environmental management, and academia. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical applications, encouraging innovative thinking and problem-solving skills essential for addressing global issues such as climate change, habitat destruction, and species extinction. Faculty members are distinguished experts in their fields, providing mentorship and fostering a collaborative learning environment that promotes inquiry and discovery. The program also collaborates with international research institutions, enabling students to participate in joint projects and exchange programs, broadening their global perspective. Graduates of the Integrative Organismic Biology program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to scientific advancements and sustainable development initiatives, ultimately playing a vital role in conserving the planet’s biological diversity for future generations.

• 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 
• Cancer Biology 
• 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 2 

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

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

Integrative Organismic Biology at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex biological systems that compose living organisms. This programme is designed for students who are interested in the holistic study of biological functions, ecological interactions, evolutionary processes, and organismal diversity. The curriculum integrates courses across multiple disciplines such as molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, and developmental biology to provide students with a broad and in-depth understanding of organisms in their natural and laboratory environments.

Students enrolled in this programme can expect to engage in both theoretical studies and practical research activities. The coursework emphasizes the integration of different biological levels, from genetic and molecular mechanisms to whole-organism physiology and ecological relationships. Through laboratory experiments, fieldwork, and research projects, students develop critical scientific skills, including data analysis, experimental design, and scientific communication. The programme aims to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of organismal biology that can be applied to fields like conservation, environmental management, biomedical research, and biotechnology.

The faculty involved in the programme are distinguished researchers with expertise spanning various areas of organismic and integrative biology. They provide mentorship and guidance to students, encouraging innovative research and interdepartmental collaboration. The programme also facilitates participation in national and international conferences, internships, and research exchanges, enhancing students’ academic and professional development.

Students graduate with the ability to analyze complex biological systems and contribute to scientific advancements in understanding organismal processes. Career prospects include roles in academic research, environmental consultancy, healthcare, biotechnology companies, and governmental agencies focused on biodiversity and ecosystem management. The programme underscores Seoul National University’s commitment to excellence in biological sciences, fostering a new generation of scientists capable of tackling the scientific and environmental challenges of the future.