Biotechnology (MS)

Program Description 

• STEM designated program

Biotechnology is where life sciences and technology converge. A biotechnology degree fosters innovation, and adaptability that is applicable to most career choices, opening numerous employment opportunities. Biotechnology is one of the region’s most promising, exciting and fastest-growing industries, and evolves through rapidly changing technologies, techniques and applications.

Biotechnologists use their knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and genetics to advance the research and development of cutting-edge biotechnology applications, which include cell & gene therapy, vaccine development, and recombinant protein production.

Students of this program will be well-equipped to tackle the complex challenges of modern science, contributing to breakthroughs that improve healthcare, agriculture, and the environment, creating a significant impact on society's future.

Curriculum:  no concentration, 1 year, 57 credit

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 503	Molecular Prep Techniques	3
BT 510	Fundamental Molec Techniques	4
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
LS 501	Molecular Biology	3
LS 504	Biochemistry	3
LS 531	Immunology	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
	Credits	21
Spring
BT 520	Cell Culture & Expression Syst	4
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
BT 610	Molecular Diagnostic Technique	4
BT 611	Protein Purification & Charact	3
	Credits	19
Summer
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
BT 816	Comprehensive Exam	0
LS 610	Reg & Fis Issues in Lab. Mgmt	3
LS 803	Contemporary Topics Research	2
	Credits	17
	Total Credits	57

Curriculum: Biopharmaceutical Process Development concentration, 1 year, 64 credits

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 503	Molecular Prep Techniques	3
BT 510	Fundamental Molec Techniques	4
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
LS 501	Molecular Biology	3
LS 504	Biochemistry	3
LS 531	Immunology	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
	Credits	21
Spring
BT 520	Cell Culture & Expression Syst	4
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
BT 610	Molecular Diagnostic Technique	4
BT 611	Protein Purification & Charact	3
	Credits	19
Summer
Held at Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing (JIB)
BP 601	Bas Engineering for Scientists	2
BP 603	Intro to Biopharm Processing	2
BP 604	Intro to Downstream Unit Oper	4
BP 605	Intro to Upstream Unit Oper	4
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
BT 816	Comprehensive Exam	0
	Credits	24
	Total Credits	64

Curriculum: 2 years, 56-58 credit

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 503	Molecular Prep Techniques	3
BT 510	Fundamental Molec Techniques	4
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
LS 501	Molecular Biology	3
LS 504	Biochemistry	3
	Credits	16
Spring
BT 520	Cell Culture & Expression Syst	4
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
BT 610	Molecular Diagnostic Technique	4
BT 611	Protein Purification & Charact	3
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
MT 531	Immunology	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
LS 804	Experimental Research I 1	0-1
	Credits	11-12
Spring
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
BT 816	Comprehensive Exam	0
LS 610	Reg & Fis Issues in Lab. Mgmt	3
LS 805	Experimental Research II (or LS 803 Comtemporary Topics Research) 1	1-2
	Credits	13-14
	Total Credits	56-58

¹

To meet the research requirement, students may take a classroom literature review-based course (LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research) or, under special circumstances, engage in a two-semester wet bench research project with a selected PI (LS 804 Experimental Research I and LS 805 Experimental Research II). Students must meet with their faculty advisor and/or program director to determine which option best meets their educational goals. LS 804 Experimental Research I and LS 805 Experimental Research II are not a substitute for nor may run concurrently with practica courses.

Curriculum: with Biopharmaceutical Process Development Concentration, 2 years, 65-77 credit

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 503	Molecular Prep Techniques	3
BT 510	Fundamental Molec Techniques	4
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
LS 501	Molecular Biology	3
LS 504	Biochemistry	3
	Credits	16
Spring
BT 520	Cell Culture & Expression Syst	4
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
BT 610	Molecular Diagnostic Technique	4
BT 611	Protein Purification & Charact	3
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
	Credits	16
Summer
BP 601	Bas Engineering for Scientists	2
BP 603	Intro to Biopharm Processing	2
BP 604	Intro to Downstream Unit Oper	4
BP 605	Intro to Upstream Unit Oper	4
	Credits	12
Second Year
Fall
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
LS 531	Immunology	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
LS 804	Experimental Research I 2	0-1
	Credits	11-12
Spring
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 816	Comprehensive Exam	0
LS 805	Experimental Research II (or LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research) 2	1-2
	Credits	10-11
	Total Credits	65-67

 ² To meet the research requirements, students may take a classroom literature review-based course (LS 803) or engage in a two-semester wet bench research project with a selected PI (LS 804 and LS 805). Students must meet with their faculty advisor and/or program director to determine which option best meets their educational goals. LS 804 and LS 805 are not a substitute for clinical practica courses nor may run concurrently with practica courses.

Curriculum: advanced MS, 2 years, 33 credit

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
	Credits	8
Spring
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
	Credits	6
Summer
LS 610	Reg & Fis Issues in Lab. Mgmt	3
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
	Credits	6
Second Year
Fall
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
LS 504	Biochemistry (Or LS 531 Immunology )	3
LS 804	Experimental Research I	0-1
	Credits	6-7
Spring
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
LS 805	Experimental Research II (or LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research) 3	1-2
	Credits	6-7
	Total Credits	32-34

³To meet the research requirement, students may take a classroom literature review-based course (LS 803) or, under special circumstances, engage in a two-semester wet bench research project with a selected PI (LS 804 and LS 805). Students must meet with their faculty advisor and/or program director to determine which option best meets their educational goals. LS 804 and LS 805 are not a substitute for nor may run concurrently with practica courses.

Curriculum:  advanced MS, 1 year, 33 credits

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
BT 605	Appld Microbial Biotechnology	3
BT 812	Biotechnology Practicum I	3
BT 813	Biotechnology Practicum II	3
LS 504	Biochemistry (Or LS 531 Immunology)	3
LS 603	Research Design	2
LS 804	Experimental Research I 4	0-1
	Credits	14-15
Spring
BT 525	Product Development&Management	3
BT 603	Human Genetics	3
BT 606	Bioinformatics	2
BT 814	Biotechnology Practicum III	3
BT 815	Biotechnology Practicum IV	3
LS 610	Reg & Fis Issues in Lab. Mgmt	3
LS 805	Experimental Research II (or LS 803 Contemporary Topics in Research)	1
	Credits	18
	Total Credits	32-33

⁴ To meet the research requirement, students may take a classroom literature review-based course (LS 803) or, under special circumstances, engage in a two-semester wet bench research project with a selected PI (LS 804 and LS 805). Students must meet with their faculty advisor and/or program director to determine which option best meets their educational goals. LS 804 and LS 805 are not a substitute for nor may run concurrently with practica courses.