Our curriculum integrates technical knowledge with soft and professional skills.Curriculum Overview
The 21-unit MBP curriculum features a unique blend of science, engineering, and business of biotechnology. MBP Students undergo rigorous research training (at least 1,000 total hours) in a research advisor's laboratory. Students may select projects in life sciences.
Three minors (Engineering Management, Entrepreneurship, and Synthetic Biology) and a certificate (Nanobiotechnology) can be added to students’ course of study.
To ensure the success of our students, our faculty will assess the educational history of our incoming class. A mandatory boot camp will take place in early September, and based on this evaluation, specific educational boot camps will be assigned to address any identified knowledge gaps.
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8 Units of Research
MBP offers the most extensive research opportunities offered by any MS in Biotechnology program in the USA by requiring 6 months of full-time lab research. Students have access to 80+ research preceptors from several schools, colleges, and institutes of Northwestern University, including the renowned Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Several opportunities to conduct research at local companies are also available. Students can choose a 3 or 6 month internship.
Learn more about student research
7 Units of Required Courses
- 1 unit of introductory engineering (for non-engineers) (MBIOTECH 303)
- 2 units of bioprocess engineering (MBIOTECH 476-1 & MBIOTECH 476-2/or Chem Eng 477)
- 1 unit of laboratories (MBIOTECH 402)
- 3 units of non-technical courses (MBIOTECH 410, MBIOTECH 420, & MBIOTECH 482)
6 Units of Electives
MBP gives students access to more than 70 technical and non-technical electives offered by departments and programs of Northwestern University (including the Kellogg School of Management), in the fields of biological sciences, biomedical engineering, chemical and biological engineering, genetics, genomics, material sciences, regulatory affairs, statistics, tissue engineering, management, and more. Electives must be related activities performed at a Biotech company.
Explore electives in registrar's course database
Minors and certificates
Students enrolled in the MBP can choose from the following minors and certificates (at no additional tuition cost) to create a more immersive experience or enhance their credentials in selected areas.
