Northeastern’s Master of Science in Biotechnology is a professional master's program, an innovative, nonthesis graduate degree. 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 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.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Core Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5120 | Foundations in Biotechnology | 3 |
| 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 |
| EESC 6500 | Pathways to Professional Success | 1 |
| BIOT 7001 | Managing Innovation in Biotechnology | 3 |
Concentration or Electives Option
A concentration is not required. Students may complete the Electives Option in lieu of a concentration.
Note: All students will be assessed for lab skills proficiency. Students who need to complete Biotechnology Lab Skills (BIOT 5145) and seek to graduate at 34 total program hours must select the Electives Option. For students who need to complete Biotechnology Lab Skills (BIOT 5145), choosing a concentration will require an additional 1 SH of coursework.
Optional Co-op Experience
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 6964 | Co-op Work Experience | 0 |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
34 total semester hours required (35 total semester hours required for students assessed to need Biotechnology Lab Skills (BIOT 5145) and who choose to declare a concentration)
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Concentration in Agricultural Biotechnology
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5810 | Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 6100 | Agricultural Biotechnology | 3 |
| 3 |
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | |
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | |
Concentration in Biodefense
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5810 | Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 6600 | Agents of Bioterrorism | 3 |
| BIOT 6610 | Biosecurity and Bioterrorism | 3 |
Concentration in Biopharmaceutical Technologies and Analytics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5640 | Drug Product Processes for Biopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| BIOT 5700 | Molecular Interactions of Proteins in Biopharmaceutical Formulations | 3 |
| 3 |
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | |
| Vaccines and Immunization | |
| Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | |
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | |
| Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | |
| Introduction to Glycobiology and Glycoprotein Analysis | |
Concentration in Biotechnology Operations
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 6290 | Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT 6320 | Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| 3 |
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | |
| Planning and Executing Biotechnology Projects | |
| Drug Safety and Immunogenicity | |
| Introduction to Biotherapeutic Approvals | |
| Concepts in Regulatory Science | |
| Bioprocess Fundamentals | |
| Downstream Processes for Biopharmaceutical Production | |
| Pharmaceutical Microbiology | |
| Sterile Manufacturing Operations | |
Electives Option
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 9 |
Electives List
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| Bioinformatics Programming | |
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| Biotechnology Lab Skills | |
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | |
| Planning and Executing Biotechnology Projects | |
| Drug Safety and Immunogenicity | |
| Introduction to Biotherapeutic Approvals | |
| 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 | |
| Higher-Order Structure Analytics | |
| Vaccines and Immunization | |
| Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | |
| Agricultural Biotechnology | |
| Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology | |
| Pharmaceutical Microbiology | |
| CGMP Statutes and Regulation | |
| Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | |
| Sterile Manufacturing Operations | |
| Agents of Bioterrorism | |
| Biosecurity and Bioterrorism | |
| Special Topics in Biotechnology | |
| Principles and Applications of Tissue Engineering | |
| Introduction to Glycobiology and Glycoprotein Analysis | |
| Collecting, Storing, and Retrieving Data | |
| Introduction to Data Mining/Machine Learning | |
| Organizational Behavior, Work Flow Design, and Change Management | |
| Introduction to Computational Statistics | |
| Foundations in Nanomedicine: Diagnostics | |
| Nanomedicine Seminar | |
| Nanomedicine Research Techniques | |
| Research Skills and Ethics | |
| Special Topics in Public Policy and Urban Affairs | |
