Application Info | Apply | Graduate Handbook | Overview | Curriculum | Experiential Learning | Faculty | Orientation
Application due 4/1

Overview
We are experiencing an unparalleled boom in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in the Boston area.

Massachusetts is home to more than 400 biotechnology companies (MBC, 2007). It is estimated that the Massachusetts biotechnology industry employs 42,917 individuals who earn an average salary of more than $100,000 and are responsible for over $5 billion of in-state payroll (US Census Bureau, 2005). Our practice-oriented, three-track Professional Master of Science (PSM) in Biotechnology Program at Northeastern University, therefore, is strongly rooted in our geographical region.For several years, Boston-area biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have expressed frustration over the shortage of job candidates with advanced degrees and prior industry experience. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that we have contacted have all expressed their vital interest in developing a pool of educated professionals with expertise in biotechnology. The Industrial Advisory Board for Northeastern's Biotechnology Initiative particularly requested that we create an interdisciplinary Professional Master of Science (PSM) in Biotechnology with specializations in molecular biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and engineering biotechnology. In response and with funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's PSM initiative, our team created a flexible, non-thesis, professional program, that addresses the needs of students and industry through rigorous interdisciplinary training in biotechnology and an internship that provides a "real-world" learning opportunity in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

Our goal is to respond to regional and national needs for a stronger scientific workforce by preparing our students with the biotechnology expertise and professonal skills they need to be immediately productive in industrial, governmental, and clinical settings.

Visit the Biotechnology Web site.

Curriculum
Our major educational objective for students is the attainment of a common core of knowledge in biotechnology, with particular emphasis on their ability to integrate knowledge across disciplinary boundaries. Specific track objectives are to provide students with didactic and practical knowledge:

• in genomics, proteomics, and gene expression analysis(Molecular Biotechnology)
• in drug discovery, development, and delivery (Pharmaceutical Biotechnology)
• in bioprocess development and optimization (Engineering Biotechnology)

Students will be required to maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or better to remain in good standing in the Program. Student performance will be reviewed annually. Those students with GPAs below 3.00 will be placed on probation for one semester, during which they will be expected to return to good standing. Failure to raise the GPA to 3.00 will be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Read the curriculum.

Experiential Learning
The internship experience is the major “real-world” component of our program. Under the supervision of a Biotechnology Masters Program Internship Coordinator, each student will complete one paid full-time internship that will provide him/her with an invaluable opportunity to gain professional training and experience in the commercial sector. The internship will be three to six months in length, depending on the requirements of the employment site.

Read about internships on the Biotechnology Web site.

Faculty
The faculty members of the Biotechnology program represent eight departments in three Northeastern colleges, as well as the Barnett Institute.

Read the complete Biotechnology faculty list and profiles on the Biotechnology Web site.

Fall Orientation

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

9:00a.m. – 10:30 a.m:    Introduction to faculty and staff and program overview  
                                        108 West Village H.  
                                   Will cover program policies and procedures and student handbook.  
                                   Mandatory attendance.  Light breakfast.

10:45 a.m. – 11:45a.m:   Tour of campus.

Monday, September 14, 2009

4:00  - 6:00 p.m.                Effective Professional Communications in the U.S. 
                                   Mandatory  attendance for  students who have not lived in the U.S.
                                   for at least one year.  
                                   All other  Biotechnology students are welcome to attend.  
                                   (Location: to be determined).  Light refreshments.    

Fall 2009 Semester Registration Information
Registration starts on July 13.
For information on how to register:
http://www.northeastern.edu/registrar/banner-fl09-gs.html

Courses for which you need to register can be found by clicking here.  In the first box scroll down to your program.  (Note:  you may find your program with the letters CPS behind it.  DO NOT Select that program.)

Courses for Fall 2009:
First year full-time students must take:

Course	Course #	Credits
Biochemistry	BIOL6300 Sec 2	4
Introduction to Biotechnology	IDSC5120	2
Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences	PHSC5100 Sec 2	2

First year part-time students taking one course are recommended to take:

Course	Course #	Credits
Introduction to Biotechnology	IDSC5120	2

First year part-time students taking two courses are recommended to take:

Course	Course #	Credits
Introduction to Biotechnology	IDSC5120	2
Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences	PHSC5100 Sec 2	2

BIOL indicates a College of Arts and Sciences course
PHSC indicates a Bouvé College of Health Sciences course
IDSC indicates interdisciplinary courses

Fall 2009 Semester Registration Information:

Course #	Title	Section	Day	Time	Key #
BIOL6300	Biochemistry	2	Monday/Wednesday	6:30 p.m.	12544
INDSC5120	Introduction to Biotechnology	1	Tuesday	5:15 p.m	13947
PHSC5100	Concepts in Pharmaceutical Sciences	1	Thursday	5:30 p.m.	13543