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)

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.

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.

Core Science Courses
(core requirements differ for this concentration*)

410.601 Biochemistry
410.602 Molecular Biology
410.603 Advanced Cell Biology 1
410.633 Introduction to Bioinformatics (formerly Computers in Molecular Biology)
410.692 Biothreat Response and Microbial Forensics
410.693 Science, Medicine, & Policy in Biodefense

Biodefense Electives (Pick four from the list below)

410.613 Principles of Immunology
410.604 Advanced Cell Biology II
410.611 Vaccinology
410.614 Pathogenic Bacteriology
410.615 Microbiology
410.616 Virology
410.618 Parasitology
410.620 Microbial Genetics and Physiology
410.631 Infectious Diseases
410.632 Emerging Infectious Diseases
410.636 Biology of HIV and AIDS
410.640 Phylogenetics and Comparative Genomics
410.641 Clinical and Molecular Diagnostics
410.645 Biostatistics
410.655 Radiation Biology
410.658 Biodefense Laboratory Methods
410.661 Methods in Proteomics
410.662 Epidemiology
410.666 Genomic Sequencing and Analysis
410.800 Independent Research in Biotechnology
406.661 Preserving American Security
406.670 Crisis Management

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. Currently the following courses are offered in this concentration:

Bioinformatics Courses

Pick any four of the following:

410.633 Introduction to Bioinformatics (formerly Computers in Molecular Biology)
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

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.

Core Biotechnology Enterprise Courses

Pick four of the following:

410.607 Proseminar in Biotechnology
410.627 The Product Development Process: From Intellectual Property to Licensing
410.642 Economic Dynamics of Change in Biotechnology
410.643 Managing and Leading Biotechnology Professionals
410.644 Marketing Aspects of Biotechnology
410.646 Creating a Biotechnology Enterprise
410.649 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
410.650 Legal Aspects of Biotechnology
410.665 Bioscience Communication
410.678 Marketing in a Regulated Environment
410.680 Managerial Finance for Biotechnology
410.681 Commercializing Biotechnology
410.687 Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Aspects of Biotechnology Enterprise
410.689 Leading Change in Bioscience
410.685 Emerging Issues in Biotechnology
410.684 Technology Transfer and Commercialization
410.689 Leading Change in Biotechnology
406.670 Crisis Management

A Concentration in Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery Technologies

This concentration is open to MS in Biotechnology students who meet the standard admission requirements. The fellowship, however, is limited to recent post-bacs who meet both the CCR/NCI fellowship and MS degree requirements.

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 in the Master of Science in Biotechnology 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 know 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 at http://advanced.jhu.edu/academic/biotechnology/bioscience/.

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.

Regulatory Affairs Concentration Cores

Pick any four of the following:

410.627 Product Development, Research to Manufacturing
410.649 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs (formerly Regulatory Processes for Domestic and Global Biotech Products)
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.