| Biotechnology PSM | Bioinformatics PSM | Regulatory Science PSM | Marine Biology PSM |
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Why Biotechnology?
An unparalleled boom in biotechnology and pharmaceutical science has created a strong national and regional demand for scientists and engineers with expertise in biotechnology, bioinformatics, and regulatory science. The vibrancy of the biopharmaceutical industry nationally is illustrated by the predicted growth in jobs for chemical scientists in the decade ahead.
Why Biotechnology at Northeastern?
Technical careers in this biotech industry require interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that are not normally acquired in standard undergraduate or graduate programs in the sciences and engineering. Northeastern has responded to this requirement by creating a set of interdisciplinary Professional Science Master's (PSM) Programs launched with seed funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
All of these programs address the workforce needs of the biotech industry through rigorous, interdisciplinary training that includes both course and lab work coupled with industrial co-op experiences.
Why a Professional Master of Science Degree?
The Professional Master of Science (PSM) degree is an innovative graduate degree designed to allow students to pursue advanced training and excel in science while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills without acquiring a PhD or MBA. PSM programs are characterized by instruction in advanced science or mathematics, business courses, and a graduate co-op providing a "real world" work experience. Graduates are referred to as "T-shaped" professionals with both deep knowledge of a specific discipline and broad knowledge of the communications and relational skills necessary to excel in any business and adapt to a changing workplace. The PSM is a non-thesis degree.
MS in Biotechnology, Molecular Track
Academic Advisor: Jacqueline Piret, Ph.D.
The molecular track focuses on the structure and function of biological molecules and cells as they pertain to the discovery and characterization of biopharmaceutical substances. Students are prepared for industry roles involving basic and applied research in biochemistry/molecular/cell biology. They are exposed to research problem solving and experimental approaches in biotechnology and will hone their bio-analytical skills with hands-on applications laboratory experience and courses devoted to mass spectroscopy and molecular separations.
MS in Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Track
Academic Advisor: Ban-An Khaw, Ph.D.
The pharmaceutical track prepares students for careers in biopharmaceutical discovery, development, production and formulation. Students learn about the biotechnological processes that turn the products of the bioreactors into safe, stable and efficacious drugs. They learn how to isolate, purify, characterize and formulate biopharmaceuticals and how to apply an understanding of the substance structures, at the molecular level, to their pharmaceutical activity at the cellular and organismal level. Students acquire fundamental knowledge of biopharmaceutics, biochemistry and microbiology and apply that knowledge to developing biopharmaceutical “best practice” models. They also hone their bio-analytical skills with hands-on applications laboratory experience and courses devoted to advanced biometrics and statistical methods for designing experiments and interpreting the resulting data.
MS in Biotechnology, Process Development Track
Academic Advisor: James Leung, Ph.D.
The process development track integrates concepts and fundamentals of chemical engineering and biological science with the development and optimization of biological manufacturing processes. The track addresses biochemical engineering, mammalian cell culture process development and protein purification. These topics are applied to the design and development processes that surround the production of biologics. Students also hone their bio-analytical skills with hands-on applications laboratory experience and courses devoted to advanced biometrics and statistical methods used in interpreting data that describes the bioprocesses and biopharmaceuticals that are produced in those bioprocesses.
MS in Biopharmaceutical Regulatory Science
Academic Advisor: James Leung, Ph.D.
Regulatory science encompasses the scientific and technological basis for production, regulatory approval and subsequent monitoring of biopharmaceutical substances. Students study protein and carbohydrate chemistry, bioprocess engineering, immunology and immunogenicity, and analysis and characterization methodologies in both hands-on laboratory and classroom settings. These technical courses are augmented with business courses in regulatory issues, business, communications and strategies for success in a highly regulated workplace. Students acquire core competencies necessary to prepare for highly valued positions in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries as well as within government agencies such as the FDA.
MS in Bioinformatics
Academic Advisor: Wendy Smith, Ph.D.
Bioinformatics is the application of computer technologies to biological data in order to facilitate problem solving in the life sciences. Bioinformatics places a critical role in tasks such as the management and mining of extensive genomic and proteomic databases and the modeling of biomolecules and biological systems. Students gain common core knowledge in bioinformatics with emphasis on integrating knowledge from biological, chemical, computational and mathematical disciplines. This rapidly changing field requires students to continually engage in self-learning opportunities so they can perform at the highest level of professional competence throughout their careers. Working with distinguished faculty will facilitate the exposure to opportunities outside the classroom by assisting with research projects and working in the industry through the co-op program.