Master in Biotechnology (STEM) Study Group - California State University San Marcos, USA

The Master of Biotechnology is a professional science degree program designed to meet the needs of the biotechnology industry and associated organizations. The program combines advanced study of related science, professional preparation, business, and real-world experience for biotechnology-oriented students. The purpose of the degree is to prepare students for careers in technology-related organizations with a breadth of workplace knowledge. Throughout the program, students will be exposed to real-world problems/applications, teamwork/communication skills, leading-edge technologies, managerial/interpersonal skills, informatics, ethics, industrial knowledge, and problem-solving skills.

The rigorous program is taught in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate the working student. The program design is a cohort model that requires students to go through the program together over a five-semester period with a predetermined course sequence. It is a non-thesis degree program requiring a rigorous "Internship or Semester-In-Residence" project. Each student will be guided and evaluated by an Advisory Committee that will be made up of university faculty, program instructors, and industry mentors, as well as program advisors.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply concepts and principles of the sciences that are fundamental to the discipline of biotechnology.
• Describe the procedural and operational uniqueness of the highly regulated life science industry.
• Employ quantitative, analytical and decision-making skills to solve problems in the life science and technology-oriented business sector.
• Assess different leadership styles and the skills and techniques used to manage teams, budgets, projects and decisions in a business environment.
• Apply communication principles and skills to translate and present both orally and in writing, scientific concepts, data and information for intended audiences.
• Identify regulatory, societal and environmental issues and their impact upon biotechnology advances, product offerings and business.