Program Information
Our Master of Science in Biotechnology and Management (MSB) program prepares graduates to successfully navigate the terrains of both science and business. The traditional research-focused M.S. or Ph.D. degree may not adequately prepare the scientist for a career in product development, marketing, operations, and personnel management. Likewise, individuals with experience from the business world may not have the knowledge-base to participate in discussions of rational product design and the experimental processes that are required prior to taking a product to market. The MSB program at Mount St. Mary’s University is a cross-disciplinary degree program designed for current workers and aspiring leaders in biotechnology who are poised for greater managerial responsibilities and are interested in advancing their careers. Graduates of this program will serve as vital links between biotechnology research and development (R&D), operations, and the process of moving products to market.
This 36-credit program follows a cohort model. Students take 8-week courses that meet one night a week from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Mount’s Frederick campus. The Mount’s dedication to teaching is evident in the MSB program where close student-faculty relationships are formed in and out of the classroom. This course of study offers training focused on developing advanced scientific and professional skills including: biochemistry and genetics, project management, accounting and finance, organizational management, product development, knowledge of regulatory affairs, and an understanding of the ethical framework in which the business of biotechnology is situated.
The Master of Science in Biotechnology and Management degree requires the successful completion of 36 credit hours, including a capstone project.
Program Objectives
Students who complete the MSB program will:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the fields of biotechnology and business, including the scientific processes; mechanisms of biotechnology research and development and operations; and regulatory aspects of biotechnology management, accounting, and finance.
- Establish a working knowledge of a variety of applied scientific knowledge and techniques, analyze complex problems in biotechnology, and apply appropriate problem solving methodologies (including design of experiments, data collection, and results analysis).
- Communicate effectively in oral and written form in formats appropriate to biotechnology and business with technologies appropriate to these fields.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the integration of functions within an enterprise and the ability to assess risk.
- Recognize and respond to the essential ethical questions in the biotechnology industry
MSB ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for admission into the MSB program must have a completed bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field. If applicant does not hold a biology or related degree, prerequisites may be required; contact program director for more details.
Candidates for admission must also satisfy at least one of the following criteria:
2.75 minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
OR
Two full years of relevant work experience (résumé required)
Application Process
Applications for admission are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. The MSB program is run as a cohort, meaning that classes are taken in sequence. New cohorts begin in August, and in some years January. Please plan to apply at least four weeks before the cohort begins. Applicants must submit:
- Complete application; available online at www.msmary.edu/biotech.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended after high school.
- A cover letter*
- Two letters of recommendation.**
- Transcript(s), and letters of recommendation should be mailed to:
Biotechnology & Management Program
Mount St. Mary’s University
School of Natural Science & Mathematics
214 COAD Science Building
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
*The cover letter should include details to support your candidacy (e.g., why you are a good candidate, career or development goals being supported by the program, professional accomplishments, employment history).
**Recommendation letters should include details to support your candidacy from Professors, Supervisors, Managers or others able to describe your attributes and accomplishments favoring admission.
ADMISSION STATUS
Full Admit: Applicants who satisfy the above-stated criteria are granted full admission to graduate study.
Provisional Admit: A student who does not fulfill all of the admission requirements (e.g., GPA) but shows promise as a graduate student may be granted a provisional admission. This status allows the student to complete up to nine graduate credits, and full admission is awarded upon the successful completion of those nine graduate credits with a grade of “B” or better in each course.
UNDERGRADUATE PREREQUISITES
Prerequisite competence in Accounting I & II is required for course MBA 503 Financial Reporting and Control. This requirement may be satisfied by documentation of undergraduate study or completion of mini-courses in this discipline.
If you have not completed these prerequisites or desire a “refresher”, the Bolte School of Business at MSMU offers 4-week “mini-courses” to meet your needs. Alternatively, an online course offered through Peregrine Academics™ can be taken to satisfy this requirement.
MSB Tuition (2017-18 Academic Year)
MSB $635 per credit
Mini-Course $410 per course
Transfer of Graduate Credits
Students may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate-level credit from another institution, subject to approval by the program director. A maximum of three transfer credits may be applied toward a certificate.
Transfer courses should be compatible with the graduate program curriculum.
Students must have earned a grade of at least “B” in each course being considered for transfer credit.
Non-academic courses (seminars, workshops, symposiums, etc.) are not acceptable as graduate transfer credit.
Grades earned in transferred courses are not calculated in the student’s grade point average.
HOW TO REQUEST TRANSFER CREDIT
- Request an application for transfer credit from the School of Natural Science and Mathematics office.
- Request official transcripts from the institution(s) from which you earned the credits.
- Submit an official catalog course description and/or syllabus for course(s) you wish to be considered.
Degree Requirements
- Students are responsible for ensuring that all of the following graduation requirements have been satisfied:
- Completion of all undergraduate prerequisites and the 36 graduate hours required in the MSB curriculum.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in the graduate program.
- Completion of a Capstone Project working with a Biotechnology company or Government Research Agency
Course Waivers
If a student has a strong undergraduate background or significant professional experiences in a field, he or she may request to have a core course waived by the director. A waiver is not an award of credit, but it permits the student to substitute an approved higher-level course in place of the core requirement. Waivers are awarded to strengthen a student’s academic program. Students interested in pursuing a course waiver may request an application for waiver from the program director.
Students may request waivers for a maximum of nine semester hours for a degree program. The combination of transferred and waived credits may not exceed nine semester hours for degree programs.
Academic Sessions
Each academic semester comprises two parts, Session I and Session II. MSB Sessions occur on a year-round basis, with six academic sessions per year. Courses are offered on an accelerated basis, meeting in the evenings from 6 - 9:30 p.m. over 8 weeks. Students must complete the program as part of a cohort.
Fall Semester: Fall I Session and Fall II Session
Spring Semester: Spring I Session and Spring II Session
Summer Semester: Summer I and Summer II Session
Due to the accelerated nature of the courses, classes require readings or assignments to be completed before the first class meeting.
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