MS in Biotechnology Courses and Degree Details

This course covers cell organization and subcellular structure. Students examine the evolution of the cell, chromosome, and plasma membrane structures and behaviors, as well as the mechanics of cell division, sites of macromolecular synthesis and processing, transport across cell membranes, cell dynamics, organelle biogenesis, and cell specialization. Students are also introduced to the experimental techniques used in cell biology to study cell growth, manipulation, and evaluation. Prerequisites: 410.601 Biochemistry or equivalent.

Students examine cell-to-cell signaling that involves hormones and receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messenger molecules, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, cell cycle, programmed cell death, methylation of DNA, modification of chromatin structure, and mechanisms of the cell. The roles that defects in signal transduction pathways play in the development of cancer and other disease states will be stressed. Prerequisites: 410.601 Biochemistry or equivalent; 410.602 Molecular Biology or equivalent; 410.603 Advanced Cell Biology or equivalent.

This foundational online graduate laboratory course offers an interdisciplinary and state-of-the-art introduction to investigative approaches and experimental methods in biotechnology. It combines demonstrations of basic laboratory skills with virtual immersive technical training to introduce the application of standard laboratory methods and the use of equipment and techniques central to biotechnology research. Laboratory exercises highlight cutting-edge instrumentation currently used in the field. This course provides broad coverage of topics including cell and molecular biology, genetics, multi-omics, and more, providing students with the essential tools and knowledge to understand various applications in biotechnology research and development. Prerequisites: 410.601 Biochemistry or equivalent, 410.602 Molecular Biology or equivalent.

This foundational biotechnology course provides the biotechnology student an introduction to the business of biotechnology, from scientific discovery through product launch and subsequent organizational and scientific pipeline growth. The course introduces the biotechnology student to various disciplines and activities (such as funding, research and development, biomanufacturing, commercialization) for biotechnology enterprise formation, development, and operation. A course-long project involving several assignments that include aspects of a biotechnology organizational simulation is reflected in a student learning organization (SLO) construct. Course Prerequisites: AS.410.601 Biochemistry or equivalent, AS.410.602 Molecular Biology or equivalent, AS.410.603 Advanced Cell Biology or equivalent, or approval of program committee.

Students wishing to complete a thesis may do so by embarking on a two-semester thesis project, which includes the 410.800 Independent Research Project and 410.801 Biotechnology Thesis courses. This project must be a hypothesis-based, original research study. The student must complete 410.800 Independent Research Project and fulfill the requirements of that course, including submission of a project proposal, final paper, and poster presentation, before enrolling in the subsequent thesis course. For the thesis course, students are required to submit a revised proposal (an update of the 410.800 proposal) for review and approval by the faculty adviser and biotechnology program committee one month prior to the beginning of the term. Students must meet with the faculty adviser periodically for discussion of the project’s progress. Graduation with a thesis is subject to approval by the thesis committee and program committee and requires the student to present his/her project to a faculty committee both orally and in writing. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 410.800 Independent Research Project and 410.645 Biostatistics.