Biotechnology

The Master of Science in Biotechnology is an innovative, nonthesis graduate degree program. The curriculum of this professional science master’s combines advanced interdisciplinary training in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences with the development of high-value business skills critical to success in today’s dynamic workplace. Graduates are prepared to innovate, collaborate, and lead as research, managerial, or technical professionals in a wide range of biotechnology specialties. The program is taught by respected faculty who are also senior leaders in their fields. They bring extensive experience, firsthand knowledge of industry trends, and assurance that the curriculum is rigorous, current, and relevant.

All Roux Institute programs provide content relevant to the urgent and emerging needs of industry in Maine and the rapidly evolving regional, national, and global economy. Opportunities for experiential learning will be concentrated in Portland, the state of Maine, and the Northeast region. Students are encouraged to pursue co-ops and special virtual Experiential Network projects with the institute’s founding corporate partners, a group of leading employers in Maine.

Students may elect a concentration in which core courses are combined with specialization and elective study. All concentrations feature a co-op work experience with an industry, academic, or government employer.

The following concentrations are available on our Portland campus:

The agricultural concentration goes beyond the production of biological drugs and focuses on the key agricultural biotechnology (agritech) principles and methods used today. Successful students learn the principles of agritech and the role they play in the concepts and fundamentals of agriculture today. The concentration addresses plant, animal, food, and ecological biotechnology. The learning of the students is reinforced by both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experience that provides hands-on learning of modern agricultural methodologies.

The molecular biotechnology concentration provides students with didactic and practical knowledge in molecular biotechnology, protein expression, and structural biology. Students learn how to generate and optimize molecular forms used to express recombinant proteins to be used as biopharmaceuticals. Particular attention is paid to cutting-edge technologies such as RNAi and CRISPR/CAS9. In addition, the students learn how to purify biopharmaceuticals and analyze aggregation and how to prevent it.

The manufacturing and quality operations concentration trains students to ensure the production of quality medicines. Students will improve their competency and learn new practical skills, enabling them to increase productivity in various sectors of biotechnology—including basic research of biological systems, discovery, development, and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals.

The biotechnology enterprise concentration integrates business and management skills with the science of biotechnology. Students learn the fundamental concepts of leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, financial decision making, and marketing. They gain teamwork, management, and business development skills in the process and graduate prepared to become scientist-managers. Some of the specialization courses for this concentration are offered only online.

Students are not required to declare a concentration. With the elective option, students select 17 credits of electives in place of concentration-specific courses.

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