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 applied 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 multiple experiential learning options, including a full-time industry co-op or AI-powered research 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 RNA Therapeutics
The RNA therapeutics concentration integrates molecular biology, nucleic acid chemistry, and nanoparticle-mediated delivery to prepare students to design next-generation RNA medicines. Students study how to design and optimize nanoparticle-based solutions for endogenous RNA modulation and exogenous RNA delivery through expert-led lectures, case studies, and hands-on projects.
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
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| EESC 6500 | Pathways to Professional Success | 1 |
| NNMD 5270 | Foundations in Nanomedicine: Therapeutics | 3 |
| NNMD 5271 | Foundations in Nanomedicine: Diagnostics | 3 |
| NNMD 5310 | Bioethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence | 1 |
| NNMD 5570 | Preclinical and Clinical Study Design | 3 |
| NNMD 6272 | Professional Nanomedicine Seminar | 0 |
| PHSC 5560 | Nanotoxicity | 3 |
| PHSC 6214 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics | 2 |
| or BIOT 6214 | Experimental Design and Biostatistics |
| NNMD 7500 | Reflection Capstone | 0 |
| |
| Co-op Work Experience - Half-Time | |
| Co-op Work Experience | |
| Co-op Work Experience Abroad | |
| Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market | |
| Nanomedicine Experiential Capstone | |
| Experiential AI 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
Nanoformulation Research Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOE 5820 | Biomaterials | 4 |
| or CHME 5631 | Biomaterials Principles and Applications |
| CHEM 5648 | Chemical Principles and Application of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics | 3 |
| or CHEM 5610 | Polymer Chemistry |
| NNMD 6390 | Experiential AI Capstone | 4 |
| 7 |
RNA Therapeutics Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| BIOL 5821 | Cell and Gene Therapies | 3-4 |
| or BIOT 5810 | Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology |
| BIOT 5750 | Molecular Approaches in Biotechnology | 3 |
| or CHEM 5630 | Nucleic Acid Chemistry |
| NNMD 5580 | Nanodrug Delivery Systems: Design, Visualization, and Modeling | 3 |
| NNMD 5590 | RNA Therapeutics | 3 |
| 5-6 |
Translation and Commercialization Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5219 | The Biotechnology Enterprise | 2 |
| BIOT 5220 | The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future | 1 |
| BIOT 5225 | Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | 3 |
| BIOT 6290 | Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology | 3 |
| or BIOT 6310 | CGMP Statutes and Regulation |
| NNMD 5470 | Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market | 3 |
| 6 |
Vaccine Development Concentration
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| BIOT 5220 | The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future | 1 |
| BIOT 5630 | Cell Culture Applications for Biopharmaceuticals | 2 |
| BIOT 5910 | Vaccines and Immunization | 3 |
| BIOT 5920 | Foundations in Vaccine Regulatory Science | 3 |
| BIOT 5930 | Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | 3 |
| 6 |
Electives Option
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| NNMD 5470 | Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market | 3-4 |
| or NNMD 5370 | Nanomedicine Research Techniques |
| 15 |
Electives List
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| Emerging Innovations in Biotechnology and Pharma | |
| AI-Powered Biotech Workflows: From Discovery to Clinic | |
| Experiential AI Capstone | |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Drug Discovery: Concepts and Applications | |
| The Biotechnology Enterprise | |
| The Role of Patents in the Biotechnology Industry, Past and Future | |
| Managing and Leading a Biotechnology Company | |
| Foundations in Vaccine Regulatory Science | |
| Foundation in Quality for Biotechnology | |
| CGMP Statutes and Regulation | |
| Design and Development of Biopharmaceuticals | |
| Sterile Manufacturing Operations | |
| Nano/Biomedical Commercialization: Concept to Market | |
| Cell and Gene Therapies | |
| Chemical Principles and Application of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics | |
| Drug Delivery: Engineering Analysis | |
| Transport Phenomena | |
| Nanodrug Delivery Systems: Design, Visualization, and Modeling | |
| Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism | |
| Advanced Drug Delivery Systems | |
| Biotechnology Lab Skills | |
| Cell and Gene Therapy Lab | |
| Nanomedicine Research Techniques | |
| Electron Microscopy Techniques | |
| Nanomedicine Experiential Capstone | |
| Independent Research | |
| Molecular Bioengineering | |
| Applied Molecular Bioengineering |
| Biomaterials | |
| CRISPR: Gene Editing Fundamentals | |
| Cell Culture Applications for Biopharmaceuticals | |
| Molecular Interactions of Proteins in Biopharmaceutical Formulations | |
| Molecular Approaches in Biotechnology | |
| Cutting-Edge Applications in Molecular Biotechnology | |
| Vaccines and Immunization | |
| Molecular Tools for Vaccine Design | |
| Polymer Chemistry | |
| Nucleic Acid Chemistry | |
| Biopolymeric Materials | |
| Biomaterials Principles and Applications | |
| Introduction to Polymer Science | |
| Nanomedicine Seminar | |
| RNA Therapeutics | |
| Human Physiology and Pathophysiology | |
| Biophysical Methods in Drug Discovery | |
| Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology | |
| Physics of Biological Processes and Living Systems 1 | |
