Professional Science Master's Degree in Biotechnology Concentration in Quality Assurance

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College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The Professional Science Master's (PSM) with a concentration in Biotechnology, specialization in Quality Assurance provides industry-focused scientific and management training to life science professionals, positioning them for future success in managerial or supervisory roles as they advance in their careers. Aligned with the University’s institutional mission of offering programs that produce qualified graduates needed for the Commonwealth job market, the Biotechnology program is flexible and adaptable to the diverse needs of employers in the Massachusetts life sciences community. This PSM program includes the option of earning a Certificate in Quality Assurance in Biotechnology.

Students in this program will gain:

• Acquisition of specific knowledge about biotechnology and related sub-disciplines

• Hands-on experience in biotechnology industry through a summer internship

• Networking contacts within the biotechnology industry

• Increase in potential for employment, pay, and promotion

 

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 13 courses: 10 core courses, two elective courses, one 400-hour industry-based capstone internship course. Students are admitted to the program in the fall semester and are expected to complete the part-time program in 2.5 years (7 semesters – includes summer). Students who begin the program but cannot complete the degree requirements with their incoming cohort may, with the guidance and approval of the Program Director, develop an alternative plan for completion. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of entering the program.

Students who enter the program with appropriate graduate credits may, at the discretion of the Program Director, receive transfer credit for up to two (2) courses in the program. However, students cannot receive transfer credit for the capstone internship course.


Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses:

Admitted students who do not have coursework or training in statistics, or cell biology, genetics, and/or molecular biology must have been successfully completed within the last five years may be required to complete undergraduate coursework prior to being permitted to enroll in courses for this graduate program.

 

Program Concentration/Specialization Requirements:

Concentration/Specialization Core Courses (10):

  • BIOT 903 Drug Development: Process and Regulations
  • BIOT 908 Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals
  • BIOT 930 Biotechnology Laboratory Techniques
  • BIOT 941 Molecular Biotechnology                                                       
  • BIOT 952 Scientific and Technical Communication in Biotechnology
  • BIOT 966 Ethical Implications of Biotechnology
  • BUIS 956 Project Management for Biotechnology
  • MATH 924 Advanced Biostatistics
  • MGMT 921 Business Operations Management for Biotechnology
  • MGMT 945 Management and Leadership for Biotechnology

Elective Courses - Choose Two (2):

Elective courses will not be offered each semester. Students should meet with their program advisor regularly to discuss when electives may be offered.

  • BIOT 970 Current Topics in Genetics, Epigenetics, and Genomics
  • BIOT 972 Cells and Systems
  • BIOT 974 Applied Immunology
  • BIOT 978 Drug Discovery
  • BIOT 980 Biotechnology Patent Law
  • CHEM 936 Current Topics in Biochemistry

Capstone Courses (1):

  • BIOT 995 Biotechnology Internship

 

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted for enrollment into this program for the fall semester, every year. Completed applications should be on file with the Graduate Admissions Office by July 1st Applications received after this date cannot be guaranteed timely matriculation into the fall semester. The Graduate Admissions Committee will begin review on an application only upon receipt of the official copies of all required documents.

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

  1. Complete the online graduate admission application
  2. Submit the $50.00 application fee
  3. Have earned a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a related life sciences discipline and must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended as an undergraduate or graduate student.
  4. Have an overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale including acceptable grades in science course.
  5. Have coursework or training in statistics, or cell biology, genetics, and/or molecular biology must have been successfully completed within the last five years. Applicants may be required to complete additional coursework prior to being permitted to enroll in courses for this graduate program.
  6. Submit official test score reports (taken in the last five (5) years) for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which includes verbal and quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. Preference is given to those applicants with competitive GRE scores (e.g., 150 Math and 150 Verbal with a 3.5 Writing component.)
  7. Provide two (2) current letters of recommendation from faculty, supervisors, and/or colleagues.
  8. Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  9. Submit a 300-word statement of purpose explaining their motivation for seeking this Professional Science Master's degree program.

The admissions committee will begin review of applicant materials upon receipt of all required documents. Complete applications include: application form, two current letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, 300-word personal statement, and all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

 

 

Effective as of the 2020-2021 Graduate Catalog