ITU Molecular Biology and Genetic Department was founded in 1998 as “Biology Department” and received its first undergraduate students in 1999 with National University Entrance Exam. A year later, in January 2000, Department’s Curriculum was revised and its name was changed as “Molecular Biology and Genetics Department” following the recommendations and encouragement of University Senate and since then 493 B.Sc. students have been graduated. The education language was changed from 30% English to 100% English in 2011. Double-major programs with Chemistry, Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering and Environmental Engineering are available. The department now boasts a total of 682 undergraduates in the program and 12 faculty members, 16 research assistants and 2 specialist (2022).

In 2001, “Molecular Biology-Genetics and Biotechnology” Interdisciplinary Graduate Program was established together with members of Chemical Engineering Department, to provide an interdisciplinary working environment for graduate students. The Graduate Program which begun with the support of State Planning Organization as a part of “Advanced Technologies in Engineering” Program, has now been continuing as a part of Graduate School of Science, Engineering and Technology. The scope of our Program is diverse and receive students with different backgrounds (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering and other Engineering Departments) to provide qualified work force in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology areas, to contribute scientific community with world-class research and to translate this knowledge to new industrial technologies. In the last 19 years (from 2003 to 2022), 216 M.Sc. and 71 Ph.D. students received their degrees and 59 M.Sc. and 57 Ph.D. students currently enrolled. Our academic staff also participate in interdepartmental graduate programs such as Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Program.