Biotechnology, Master of Science

MS in Biotechnology

The Master of Science in Biotechnology program prepares students for a career in the field and allows biotechnology professionals to further hone their skills toward career advancement. The program provides a solid grounding in theory and delivers real-world skills and practice. Students can meet their individual career goals through the selection of a concentration or get a more customized experience by choosing their own set of six elective classes.

This 10-course degree program is thesis-optional and can be pursued part time or full time, onsite, online, or through a combination of onsite and online courses. 

Admissions Criteria for All Advanced Academic Programs 

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the MS in Biotechnology program requires an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences or engineering with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee admission. Other requirements for applicants are:

• Resume
• Statement of purpose: Please provide a statement, up to one page in length, describing your personal background and/or a part of your life experience that has shaped you or your goals. Feel free to elaborate on personal challenges and opportunities that have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins.
• Program-specific prerequisite courses:
  • Two semesters of biology
  • Two semesters of chemistry
  • One semester of organic chemistry
  • One semester of biochemistry
  • One semester of molecular biology

Program Requirements

Students pursuing the MS in Biotechnology must complete 10 courses:

• Four required core courses
• Six elective courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses - Required:		16
AS.410.602	Molecular Biology (Starting Fall 2024, AS.410.606 Emerging Applications in Biotechnology will replace this requirement)
AS.410.603	Advanced Cell Biology
AS.410.604	Cellular Signal Transduction
AS.410.607	The Biotechnology Enterprise
Electives
Select six elective courses 1, 2		24
Total Credits		40

¹

See course listings page.

²

Many electives have the core courses as a prerequisite

Course requirements differ for the certificate (no longer admitting new students) and concentration programs.

MS in Biotechnology with Thesis Option

Students interested in pursuing the MS in Biotechnology with thesis are required to take 11 courses. The thesis requires a two-semester research project. Students complete AS.410.800 Independent Research in Biotechnology, and then  AS.410.801 Biotechnology Thesis  the following semester. Students interested in this option should consult with the program adviser.

MS in Biotechnology Concentrations (Optional)

Students wishing to focus on a specialized discipline within the MS in Biotechnology program may enroll in one of six optional concentrations after being accepted into the program:

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.  The core courses for this concentration are different from the general MS in Biotechnology, including two laboratory courses and coursework in Cell Biology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, Forensics, and Policy. You may also select three electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses Required:
Core requirements differ for this concentration.		24
AS.410.602	Molecular Biology (Starting Fall 2024, AS.410.606 Emerging Applications in Biotechnology will replace this requirement)
AS.410.603	Advanced Cell Biology
AS.410.613	Principles of Immunology
AS.410.633	Introduction to Bioinformatics
AS.410.692	Biological & Chemical Threat Response & Forensics
AS.410.693	Science, Medicine & Policy in Biodefense
Core Courses - Customizable:
Select one of the following:		4
Must be completed onsite
AS.410.652	Mammalian Cell Culture Techniques
AS.410.656	Recombinant DNA Laboratory
AS.410.657	Recombinant Protein Expression, Production and Analysis
AS.410.658	Biodefense & Infectious Disease Laboratory Methods
AS.410.659	Advanced Clinical Molecular Techniques Laboratory
AS.410.660	Immunological Techniques in Biotechnology
AS.410.731	Bioprocessing and Scale-up Laboratory
AS.410.733	Library Preparation in Next Generation Sequencing
AS.410.752	High Throughput Screening & Automation Lab
AS.410.780	Stem Cell Culture Laboratory Methods
Electives
Select three electives		12
Total Credits		40

Concentration in Bioinformatics

Given the vast amount of information generated from studies on humans and other organisms, and the need for scientists and researchers to access and manipulate these data, the biotechnology program offers courses that can either be sampled individually or taken together to complete a concentration in bioinformatics.

In addition to the four core courses, degree candidates must complete any four bioinformatics concentration courses from the list below and two electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Bioinformatics Courses
Select four of the following:		16
AS.410.633	Introduction to Bioinformatics
AS.410.634	Practical Computer Concepts for Bioinformatics
AS.410.635	Bioinformatics: Tools for Genome Analysis
AS.410.639	Protein Bioinformatics
AS.410.640	Molecular Phylogenetic Techniques
AS.410.645	Biostatistics
AS.410.666	Next Generation DNA Sequencing and Analysis
AS.410.671	Gene Expression Data Analysis and Visualization
AS.410.709	Cancer Genomics
AS.410.712	Advanced Practical Computer Concepts for Bioinformatics
AS.410.713	Advanced Genomics and Genetics Analyses
AS.410.734	Practical Introduction to Metagenomics
AS.410.736	Genomic and Personalized Medicine
Electives
Select two electives		8
Total Credits		24

Concentration in Biotechnology Enterprise

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.

In addition to the four core courses, degree candidates must complete any four Biotechnology Enterprise concentration courses from the list below and two electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Biotechnology Enterprise Concentration Courses
Select four of the following:		16
AS.410.627	Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing
AS.410.637	Bioethics
AS.410.638	Cancer Biology
AS.410.643	Managing and Leading Biotechnology Professionals
AS.410.644	Marketing Aspects of Biotechnology
AS.410.645	Biostatistics
AS.410.646	Creating a Biotechnology Enterprise
AS.410.647	Research Ethics
AS.410.649	Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
AS.410.651	Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics
AS.410.665	Bioscience Communication
AS.410.680	Finance for Biotechnology
AS.410.684	Technology Transfer & Commercialization
AS.410.685	Emerging Issues in Biotechnology
AS.410.687	Ethical,Legal & Regulatory Aspects of the Biotechnology Enterprise
AS.410.688	Project Management in Biotechnology
AS.410.689	Leading Change in Biotechnology
AS.410.704	Social Entrepreneurship in BioScience
AS.410.705	Problem Solving and Innovation
AS.410.706	Building and Leading Teams in Health Care
AS.410.732	Funding a New Venture
AS.410.756	Grants and Federal Funding for Biotechnology Enterprises
AS.410.806	Independent Studies in Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Open only to students in the MBEE program)
Electives
Select two electives		8
Total Credits		24

Concentration in Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery

Within the biotechnology industry, there is a need for highly skilled professionals who possess an in-depth understanding of the structures and activities of biological molecules and their variants formed during the production of biopharmaceutical drugs, and the laboratory skills necessary to advance this high-throughput screening and clinical development. Graduates of this concentration will fill key positions in clinical, industry, and research laboratories that are doing pharmaceutical drug discovery and development.

In addition to the four core courses, students must complete the four concentration courses and two electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Concentration Courses
Complete all four of the following:		16
AS.410.696	Bioassay Development
AS.410.750	Molecular Targets & Cancer
AS.410.751	Drug Design and Chemical Libraries
AS.410.752	High Throughput Screening & Automation Lab
Elective Courses
Select two electives		8
Total Credits		24

Concentration in Regulatory Affairs

Developed in consultation with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society, and the biotechnology industry, this concentration 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.

In addition to the four core courses, degree candidates must complete any four Regulatory Affairs concentration courses from the list below and two electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Regulatory Affairs Concentration Courses
Select four of the following:		16
AS.410.627	Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing
AS.410.648	Clinical Trial Design and Conduct
AS.410.649	Introduction to Regulatory Affairs
AS.410.651	Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics
AS.410.673	Biological Processes in Regulatory Affairs
AS.410.675	International Regulatory Affairs
AS.410.676	Food And Drug Law
AS.410.682	Validation in Biotechnology
AS.410.683	Introduction to cGMP Compliance
AS.410.686	Regulation of Good Food Production Practices
AS.410.687	Ethical,Legal & Regulatory Aspects of the Biotechnology Enterprise
AS.410.690	International Food Regulations
AS.410.701	Intro to Food Safety Regulation
AS.410.702	Biomedical Software Regulation
AS.410.715	Medical Device Regulation
AS.410.727	Regulatory Strategies in Biopharmaceuticals
AS.410.802	Independent Studies in Regulatory Science
Electives
Select two electives		8
Total Credits		24

Students may choose any two science electives for which they have met the prerequisites. 

Concentration in Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies

Within the biotechnology industry, there is increasingly a need for highly skilled professionals in the area of regenerative technologies. The professionals must possess an in-depth understanding of stem cells, gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and the laboratory skills necessary to advance this rapidly expanding field of research and clinical development. Graduates of this concentration will fill key positions in clinical, industry, and research laboratories that use cell therapies for treatment of diseases.

In addition to the four core courses, students must complete the four concentration courses and two electives (i.e. any AS.410.6xx course not already taken).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Concentration Courses
Complete all four of the following:		16
AS.410.630	Gene Therapy
AS.410.653	Regenerative Medicine: from Bench to Bedside
AS.410.753	Stem Cell Biology
AS.410.780	Stem Cell Culture Laboratory Methods
Electives
Select two electives		8
Total Credits		24

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, students will be able to: