Northeastern’s Master of Science in Biotechnology is a professional master's program, an innovative, nonthesis graduate degree. It combines advanced interdisciplinary training in biotechnology, biology, chemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences with the development of high-value business skills critical to success in today’s dynamic workplace. This program is designed to prepare graduates to innovate, collaborate, and lead as research, managerial, or technical professionals in a wide range of biotechnology specialties. The two-year program offers students the possibility to pursue one of ten concentrations to further their knowledge in a specific topical area of the field.
Concentrations
Agricultural Biotechnology Concentration
The agricultural concentration goes beyond the production of biological drugs and focuses on the key agricultural biotechnology (agritech) principles and methods used today. Students have an opportunity to 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.
Biodefense Concentration
The biodefense concentration is designed to prepare students for the initial homeland biodefense and bioterrorism response. Students have an opportunity to learn the microbiology and epidemiology of biological agents that are potential threats, identify and propose countermeasures, and develop expertise in response and recovery strategies and policies. The learning combines the foundational biotechnology courses with case-based and hands-on bioethical, biowarfare, and bioterrorism courses.
Biopharmaceutical Technologies and Analytics Concentration
The biopharmaceutical technologies and analytics track focuses on structures, variants and activities of biological molecules as well as how to convert purified proteins to biopharmaceutical drug products that are compatible for clinical use. Students learn the diversity of molecular forms derived from biological products, techniques to analyze and characterize these forms, and the impact of these structural changes on the safety and efficacy of biopharmaceuticals. The track addresses design of product formulation, development and implementation of drug product manufacturing processes, and relevant process technology, such as aseptic operations and freeze-drying, needed for drug product manufacturing. This is accomplished through both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experiences that utilize analytical techniques and provide hands-on learning of formulation design and drug product process development.
Biotechnology Operations Concentration
The biotechnology operations track is an operationally inclusive concentration that offers relevant insights to the inner workings of a biotech company while preparing students for new entry or promotions to a variety of biotech functions. Students learn the principles of quality, regulatory science, process science and manufacturing, while integrating business and management skills with the science of biotechnology. The track covers the science behind compliance and the principles and practices of state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing and quality operations, enabling students to move across positions in discovery, clinical operations, manufacturing, quality, regulatory affairs, and consulting for operations and operational strategy and/or remediations.
Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership
Master's Degree in Biotechnology with Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership
Students may complete a Master of Science in Biotechnology in addition to earning a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership. Students must apply and be admitted to the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program in order to pursue this option. The certificate program requires fulfillment of the 16-semester-hour curriculum required to earn the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership, which includes an industry-based challenge project with multiple mentors. The integrated 42-semester-hour master’s degree and certificate requires 26 hours of biotechnology coursework.
- Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality.
- Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| BIOT 5120 | Foundations in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 5145 | Biotechnology Lab Skills | 1 |
| BIOT 5219 | The Biotechnology Enterprise | 2 |
| BIOT 5401 | Scientific Communication and Problem Solving in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 5621 | Protein Principles in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 5630 | Cell Culture Applications for Biopharmaceuticals | 2 |
| BIOT 5750 | Molecular Approaches in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 6214 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics | 2 |
| BIOT 7245 | Biotechnology Applications Laboratory | 3 |
| or BIOT 7246 | Molecular Technologies Practicum | |
| Electives | ||
| Co-op and Experiential Learning | ||
| BIOT 6500 | Professional Development for Co-op | 0 |
| Select one of the following options: | 3 | |
Option 1: | ||
| Co-op Work Experience | ||
Option 2: | ||
| Managing Innovation in Biotechnology 1 | ||
- 1
The option of BIOT 7001 Managing Innovation in Biotechnology is not available at all campus locations. Please refer to your advisor or admissions coach for course availability each semester at your campus location.
Concentration or Electives Option
A concentration is not required. Students may complete the electives option in lieu of a concentration.
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Biodefense
- Biopharmaceutical Technologies and Analytics
- Biotechnology Operations
- Electives
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
34 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Agricultural Biotechnology Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BIOT 5810 | Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 6100 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| In consultation with advisor, complete a minimum of 3 semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | ||
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | ||
| Climate and Atmospheric Change | ||
| Soil Science | ||
| Environmental Planning | ||
| Sustainable Energy and Climate Solutions | ||
| Global Biogeochemistry | ||
| Climate Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions | ||
| Food Security and Sustainability | ||
Biodefense Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BIOT 6600 | Agents of Bioterrorism | 3 |
| BIOT 6610 | Biosecurity and Bioterrorism | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| In consultation with advisor, complete a minimum of 3 semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | ||
| Building Resilience into Local Government | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Introduction to Epidemiology | ||
| Public Health Administration and Policy | ||
| Managing Healthcare Supply Chain Operations | ||
Biopharmaceutical Technologies and Analytics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BIOT 5640 | Drug Product Processes for Biopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| BIOT 5700 | Molecular Interactions of Proteins in Biopharmaceutical Formulations | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| In consultation with advisor, complete a minimum of 3 semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | ||
| Vaccines and Immunization | ||
| Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | ||
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | ||
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | ||
| Introduction to Glycobiology and Glycoprotein Analysis | ||
| Protein Mass Spectrometry Laboratory | ||
Biotechnology Operations
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| BIOT 6320 | Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| BIOT 6290 | Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| In consultation with advisor, complete a minimum of 3 semester hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Process Sciences Focus | ||
| Bioprocess Fundamentals | ||
| Downstream Processes for Biopharmaceutical Production | ||
| Manufacturing Quality Operations Focus | ||
| Pharmaceutical Microbiology | ||
| Sterile Manufacturing Operations | ||
| Drug Safety and Immunogenicity | ||
| Regulatory Science Focus | ||
| Introduction to Biotherapeutic Approvals | ||
| Concepts in Regulatory Science | ||
| Enterprise Focus | ||
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | ||
| Planning and Executing Biotechnology Projects | ||
Electives Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 9 semester hours from the Electives list. | 9 | |
Electives List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete electives from the following list and/or 1 SH BUSN graduate-level courses. Electives not on this list may be taken with academic advisor approval. | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Computational Methods 1 | ||
| Principles and Applications of Tissue Engineering | ||
| Stem Cells and Regeneration | ||
| Inventions in Microbial Biotechnology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Biological Imaging | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Comparative Neurobiology | ||
| Advanced Genomics | ||
| Immunotherapies of Cancer and Infectious Disease | ||
| Ethics in Biological Research | ||
| The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future | ||
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | ||
| Launching Your Science: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship | ||
| Drug Safety and Immunogenicity | ||
| Introduction to Biotherapeutic Approvals | ||
| Scientific Information Management for Biotechnology Managers | ||
| Concepts in Regulatory Science | ||
| Bioprocess Fundamentals | ||
| Downstream Processes for Biopharmaceutical Production | ||
| Drug Product Processes for Biopharmaceuticals | ||
| Molecular Interactions of Proteins in Biopharmaceutical Formulations | ||
| Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | ||
| Cellular Therapies | ||
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | ||
| Vaccines and Immunization | ||
| Foundations in Vaccine Regulatory Science | ||
| Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | ||
| Agricultural Biotechnology | ||
| Pharmaceutical Microbiology | ||
| CGMP Statutes and Regulation | ||
| Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | ||
| Sterile Manufacturing Operations | ||
| Agents of Bioterrorism | ||
| Biosecurity and Bioterrorism | ||
| Introduction to Glycobiology and Glycoprotein Analysis | ||
| Protein Mass Spectrometry Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Chemical Biology | ||
| Chemistry and Design of Protein Pharmaceuticals | ||
| Molecular Modeling | ||
| Chemical Engineering Kinetics | ||
| Collecting, Storing, and Retrieving Data | ||
| Introduction to Data Mining/Machine Learning | ||
| Engineering Project Management | ||
| Managing Operations in Early Stage Ventures | ||
| Entrepreneurship: Services and Retail Business Creation | ||
| Business Planning for New Ventures | ||
| Financing Ventures from Early Stage to Exit | ||
| Entrepreneurial Marketing and Selling | ||
| Lean Design and Development | ||
| Environmental Science and Policy Seminar 2 | ||
| The American Healthcare System | ||
| Organizational Behavior, Work Flow Design, and Change Management | ||
| Acquisitions, Alliances, and Growth | ||
| Introduction to Computational Statistics | ||
| Managing the Global Enterprise | ||
| Cultural Aspects of International Business | ||
| Managing Ethics in the Workplace and Marketplace | ||
| Strategic Decision Making for Healthcare Professionals | ||
| Sustainability and Leadership | ||
| Information Analysis | ||
| Foundations in Nanomedicine: Therapeutics | ||
| Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market | ||
| Nanomedicine Seminar | ||
| Nanomedicine Research Techniques | ||
| Research Skills and Ethics | ||
| Pharmaceutical Biochemistry | ||
| Repurposing Drugs for Cancer Immunotherapies | ||
| Nanotoxicity | ||
| Behavioral Pharmacology and Drug Discovery | ||
| Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery | ||
| Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Grant Writing in Public Health | ||
| Security and Resilience Policy | ||
| Resilient Cities | ||
| Counterterrorism | ||
| Dynamic Modeling for Environmental Decision Making | ||
| Big Data for Cities | ||
| Geographic Information Systems for Urban and Regional Policy | ||
| Building Resilience into Local Government | ||
| Strategic Decision Making in a Changing Environment | ||