The Master of Science in Nanomedicine is a flexible, interdisciplinary, industry-aligned professional master's degree program. It is designed for scientists, engineers, and clinicians who want to develop competencies and skills in nanomedicine research, innovation, and commercialization. Our students receive hands-on training in nanomedicine challenges and opportunities, research tools and techniques, and translation from bench to bedside. The curriculum integrates immersive individual and team-based research projects with a full-time industry co-op or laboratory experience to prepare graduates for high-demand research and entrepreneurship roles in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and healthcare industries.

This two-year, full-time master’s program consists of eight core courses and year-round professional seminars. In year two, students tailor their curriculum by selecting a concentration and at least one experiential learning opportunity. A reflection capstone course is taken concurrently with co-op or during the final semester of study. Students seeking additional course and co-op flexibility may substitute an electives only program plan in place of a concentration.

Concentration in Nanoformulation Research 

The nanoformulation research concentration integrates nanoparticle design, formulation, characterization, and translation. Students gain experience in nanomedicine theory, materials and methods, advanced laboratory techniques, and state-of-the-art instrumentation through a combination of expert-led lectures, instrument demonstrations, and collaborative interdisciplinary project-based laboratory experiences. Students have an opportunity to acquire research and project management skills for roles in research, development, and manufacturing. 

Concentration in Translation and Commercialization 

The translation and commercialization concentration studies scientific discovery, business, and management from the perspective of delivering nanomedicine products to patients. Students build real-world knowledge and skills in innovation, business development, and regulatory affairs—from initial discovery and research and development to FDA approval and launch—through a combination of case studies, industry-mentored projects, and creation of a virtual startup company.   

Concentration in Vaccine Development Concentration  

Innovations in nanoparticle-based vaccine delivery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have fundamentally changed the way we develop and test vaccines. The vaccine development concentration provides training in scientific, business, and regulatory principals of vaccine research and development. Students integrate molecular tools for vaccine design, knowledge of vaccine-tissue interactions, and best practices for biopharmaceutical cell culture and manufacturing to develop the industry-aligned skills needed at the forefront of vaccine development. 

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Core Requirements

Required Core
EESC 6500Pathways to Professional Success1
NNMD 5270Foundations in Nanomedicine: Therapeutics3
NNMD 5271Foundations in Nanomedicine: Diagnostics3
NNMD 5310Bioethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence1
NNMD 5570Preclinical and Clinical Study Design3
NNMD 6272Professional Nanomedicine Seminar0
PHSC 5560Nanotoxicity3
PHSC 6214Experimental Design and Biostatistics2
or BIOT 6214 Experimental Design and Biostatistics
Experiental Learning and Reflection
NNMD 7500Reflection Capstone0
Complete at least one of the following (credit-bearing courses chosen to fulfill this requirement will also be applied to the elective requirements of this program):
Co-op Work Experience - Half-Time
Co-op Work Experience
Co-op Work Experience Abroad
Nanomedicine Experiential Capstone
Independent Research

Concentration or Electives Option

A concentration is not required. Students may complete electives in lieu of a concentration.

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

34 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required


Concentration in Nanoformulation Research 

BIOE 5820Biomaterials4
or CHME 5631 Biomaterials Principles and Applications
CHEM 5648Chemical Principles and Application of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics3
or CHEM 5610 Polymer Chemistry
NNMD 5370Nanomedicine Research Techniques4
NNMD 6370Nanomedicine Experiential Capstone4
Electives
Complete 3 semester hours from the electives list.3

Concentration in Translation and Commercialization 

BIOT 5145Biotechnology Lab Skills1
or BIOT 5220 The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future
BIOT 5219The Biotechnology Enterprise2
BIOT 5225Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company3
BIOT 6290Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology3
BIOT 6310CGMP Statutes and Regulation3
NNMD 5470Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market3
Electives
Complete 3 semester hours from the electives list.3

Concentration in Vaccine Development 

BIOT 5220The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future1
BIOT 5630Cell Culture Applications for Biopharmaceuticals2
BIOT 5910Vaccines and Immunization3
BIOT 5920Foundations in Vaccine Regulatory Science3
BIOT 5930Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design3
BIOT 6310CGMP Statutes and Regulation3
Electives
Complete 3 semester hours from the electives list.3

Electives Option

NNMD 5470Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market3-4
or NNMD 5370 Nanomedicine Research Techniques
Electives
Complete 15 semester hours from the electives list.15

Electives List

Complete electives from the following (electives not on this list may be chosen with faculty advisor approval):
Commercialization and Regulatory Affairs
The Biotechnology Enterprise
The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future
Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company
Launching Your Science: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship
Foundations in Vaccine Regulatory Science
Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology
CGMP Statutes and Regulation
Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals
Sterile Manufacturing Operations
Biomaterials Principles and Applications
Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market
Drug Delivery
Chemical Principles and Application of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics
Drug Delivery: Engineering Analysis
Transport Phenomena
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
Laboratory Research
Biotechnology Lab Skills
Cell and Gene Therapy Lab
Nanomedicine Research Techniques
Electron Microscopy Techniques
Nanomedicine Experiential Capstone
Independent Research
Research Skills and Ethics
Nanomaterials Design and Application
Biomaterials
Medical Physiology
Cell Culture Applications for Biopharmaceuticals
Molecular Interactions of Proteins in Biopharmaceutical Formulations
Vaccines and Immunization
Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design
Polymer Chemistry
Biopolymeric Materials
Biochemical Engineering
Biomaterials Principles and Applications
Introduction to Polymer Science
Human Physiology and Pathophysiology
Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery
Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 1

Sample Plans of Study

Year 1

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer Full SemesterHours
EESC 65001NNMD 52713EESC 6964 or 6965 (*)0
NNMD 52703NNMD 55703(Co-op option 1: May–Aug.)
NNMD 53101NNMD 62720 
PHSC 55603PHSC 6214 or BIOT 62142 
 8 8 0
Total Hours: 16

Year 2

Concentration in Nanoformulation Research

Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer Full SemesterHours
BIOE 5820 or CHME 56314CHEM 5648 or PMST 62523EESC 6964 or 6965 (*)0
NNMD 53704NNMD 63704NNMD 75000
NNMD 62720NNMD 6272 or 75000(Co-op & reflection option 2: May–Aug.)
 Elective3(Co-op & reflection option 3: July-Dec.)
 8 10 0
Total Hours: 18

Concentration in Translation and Commercialization

Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer Full SemesterHours
BIOT 5145 or 52201BIOT 51203EESC 6964 or 6965 (*)0
BIOT 52192BIOT 52253NNMD 75000
BIOT 63103NNMD 6272 or 75000(Co-op & reflection option 2: May–Aug.)
NNMD 54703Elective3(Co-op & reflection option 3: July–Dec.)
NNMD 62720  
 9 9 0
Total Hours: 18

Concentration in Vaccine Development

Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer Full SemesterHours
BIOT 52201BIOT 59203EESC 6964 or 6965 (*)0
BIOT 56302BIOT 59303NNMD 75000
BIOT 59103NNMD 6272 or 75000(Co-op & reflection option 2: May–Aug.)
BIOT 63103Elective3(Co-op & reflection option 3: July–Dec.)
NNMD 62720  
 9 9 0
Total Hours: 18

Electives Option

This year 2 sample plan of study shows how a student might combine electives with multiple hands-on experiential learning alternatives to co-op.

Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours
NNMD 53704NNMD 69844
NNMD 63704NNMD 75000
NNMD 62720Elective3
 Elective3
 8 10
Total Hours: 18
*

Co-op is not required. Students may substitute an experiential learning course from the electives list during year 2 to satisfy the experiential learning requirement.