MS in Biotechnology | Course Requirements
CURRICULUM
The Master of Science in Biotechnology is grounded in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. With this foundation in science, students continue with studies in the areas of pure science, applied science, lab science, regulatory affairs and biotechnology business. The curriculum is designed so that graduates can participate fully in research; lead lab teams, help to make development and planning decisions, create and apply research modalities to larger schemes set in large research projects. Also, managers and marketers, lawyers and liaisons, all are able to bridge the worlds between their roles and the scientists in their organization, allowing for effective communications and decision making.
Course Requirements
Four core courses (see biodefense concentration for different core requirements):
- 410.601 Biochemistry
- 410.602 Molecular Biology
- 410.603 Advanced Cellular Biology I
- 410.604 Advanced Cellular Biology II
Six elective courses (see course descriptions, must include at least two science electives)
The course requirements differ for the various concentration programs. Students do not have to choose a concentration. They may pick any six electives as long as two are science courses.
GENERAL DEGREE
Students like the flexibility of the general degree, as it allows them to tailor the degree to meet their individual career goals. Many students prefer the ability to customize their program by selecting a few courses from our concentrations tracks and selecting other electives. Students may also choose to take laboratory courses in our state-of-the-art wet lab.
Download the MS in Biotechnology program planning form.
OPTIONAL CONCENTRATIONS
A Concentration in Biodefense
The biodefense concentration integrates basic and translational science to train the next generation of professionals for employment in academia, industry, and government. The curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in basic science, and investigates the various applications of medical science and biotechnology for detection, identification, and response to biothreats. Specific disciplines of study include molecular biology, infectious diseases, bioinformatics, immunology, epidemiology, molecular diagnostics, and policy.
Download the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in Biodefense program planning form.
Core Science Courses
(core requirements differ for this concentration*)
- 410.601 Biochemistry
- 410.602 Molecular Biology
- 410.603 Advanced Cell Biology I
- 410.633 Introduction to Bioinformatics
- 410.692 Biological and Chemical Threat Response and Forensics
- 410.693 Science, Medicine, & Policy in Biodefense
Biodefense Electives
Pick any four of the following:
- 410.604 Advanced Cell Biology II
- 410.611 Vaccinology
- 410.613 Principles of Immunology
- 410.614 Pathogenic Bacteriology
- 410.615 Microbiology
- 410.616 Virology
- 410.618 Parasitology
- 410.621 Agricultural Biotechnology
- 410.631 Infectious Diseases
- 410.632 Emerging Infectious Diseases
- 410.636 Biology of HIV and AIDS
- 410.639 Protein Bioinformatics
- 410.640 Molecular Phylogenetics Techniques
- 410.641 Clinical and Molecular Diagnostics
- 410.645 Biostatistics
- 410.652 Cell Culture Techniques
- 410.655 Radiation Biology
- 410.656 Recombinant DNA Laboratory
- 410.658 Biodefense Laboratory Methods
- 410.659 Advanced Recombinant DNA Laboratory
- 410.660 Immunological Techniques in Biotechnology
- 410.661 Methods in Proteomics
- 410.662 Epidemiology
- 410.666 Genomic Sequencing and Analysis
- 410.667 Theory and Application of Immunoassays
- 410.669 Immunology of Infectious Diseases
- 406.670 Crisis Management
- 410.671 Microarrays and Analysis
- 410.696 Bioassay Development
- 410.754 Comparative Microbial Genomics
A Concentration in Bioinformatics
Given the vast amounts of information generated from studies on humans and other organisms and the need of scientists and researchers to access and manipulate these data, the biotechnology program offers courses which can either be sampled individually or taken together to make up a concentration in bioinformatics.
In addition to the four core courses (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Advanced Cell Biology I, and Advanced Cell Biology II), degree candidates must complete any four of these courses to satisfy the bioinformatics concentration requirements.
Download the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in bioinformatics program planning form.
Bioinformatics Courses
Pick any four of the following:
- 410.633 Introduction to Bioinformatics
- 410.634 Practical Computer Concepts for Bioinformatics
- 410.635 Bioinformatics: Tools for Genomic Analysis
- 410.639 Protein Bioinformatics
- 410.640 Phylogenetics and Comparative Genomics
- 410.645 Biostatistics
- 410.661 Methods in Proteomics
- 410.666 Genomic Sequencing and Analysis
- 410.671 Microarrays and Analysis
- 410.698 Bioperl
- 410.712 Advanced Practical Concepts for Bioinformatics
- 410.713 Advanced Genomics and Genetic Analysis
- 410.754 Comparative Microbial Genomics
A Concentration in Biotechnology Enterprise
In order for research discoveries to reach the public, an understanding of the overall enterprise of biotechnology is essential. Success in this industry requires two distinct sets of skills and perspectives: understanding the science and understanding the business. Students in this concentration must complete four core science courses, four core enterprise courses, and two science electives.
Download the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in Biotechnology Enterprise program planning form.
Core Biotechnology Enterprise Courses
Pick any four of the following:
- 410.627 Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing (also counts as science elective)
- 410.637 Bioethics
- 410.642 Economic Dynamics of Change in Biotechnology
- 410.643 Managing and Leading Biotechnology Professionals
- 410.644 Marketing Aspects of Biotechnology
- 410.645 Biostatistics
- 410.646 Creating a Biotechnology Enterprise
- 410.647 Research Ethics
- 410.649 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
- 410.650 Legal Aspects of Biotechnology
- 410.651 Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics (also counts as science elective)
- 410.665 Bioscience Communication
- 410.678 Marketing in a Regulated Environment
- 410.680 Managerial Finance for Biotechnology
- 410.681 Commercializing Biotechnology
- 410.684 Technology Transfer and Commercialization
- 410.685 Emerging Issues in Biotechnology
- 410.687 Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Aspects of Biotechnology Enterprise
- 410.688 Project Management
- 410.689 Leading Change in Biotechnology
- 410.703 Strategic Planning for the Biotech Enterprise
- 410.728 Managing Innovation in the Life Sciences
- 410.729 Regulatory and Economic Fundamentals of Drug Pricing and Reimbursement
A Concentration in Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies
This concentration provides students with in-depth knowledge and practical laboratory skills in modern drug discovery technologies. Specific disciplines include bioassay design, chemical libraries, molecular targets, high throughput screening lab and cancer biology. This concentration requires some on-site instruction and is only offered at JHU's Montgomery County Campus in Rockville, MD. The fellowship, however, is limited to recent post-baccalaureates who meet both the CCR/NCI fellowship and MS degree requirements.
Download the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies program planning form.
Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies Concentration Courses
- 410.696 Bioassay Development
- 410.750 Molecular Targets and Cancer
- 410.751 Chemical Libraries and Diversity
- 410.752 High Throughput Screening and Automation Laboratory
Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies Elective Courses
Two required. Consult Program advisor.
A Concentration in Regulatory Affairs
Developed in consultation with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS), and the biotechnology industry, this concentration provides students with the knowledge and understanding required for companies and organizations to comply with federal and state regulatory statutes for the development, approval, and commercialization of drugs, biologics, foods, and medical devices.
Students interested in Regulatory Affairs may also consider the MS in Bioscience Regulatory Affairs. Students taking the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in Regulatory Affairs are typically more interested in bioscience, but would also like a better understanding of the regulatory process. Those students in the MS in Bioscience Regulatory Affairs want a deeper understanding of the regulatory process and intend to work specifically in the field. Learn more about the MS in Bioscience Regulatory Affairs.
Students in this concentration must complete four core science courses, four core regulatory affairs courses, and two electives. Students must be certain that they take a total of six science courses overall. Four of these courses are the four core science courses, the remaining two may come from the core regulatory affairs courses and the electives.
Download the MS in Biotechnology with a concentration in Regulatory Affairs program planning form.
Regulatory Affairs Concentration Cores
Pick any four of the following:
- 410.627 Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing
- 410.649 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
- 410.676 Food and Drug Law
- 410.651 Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics
- 410.673 Biological Processes in Regulatory Affairs
- 410.683 Introduction to cGMP Compliance
Regulatory Affairs Concentration Electives
Students may choose any two electives in the MS in Biotechnology or MS in Bioscience Regulatory Affairs for which they have met the prerequisites.