PSM in Biotechnology-Curriculum
A Professionally-Focused Curriculum
Saint Mary's Professional Science Master's in Biotechnology program is designed to give students a competitive edge in the life sciences field while also emphasizing their growth as industry professionals, thought leaders, and constructive members of society.
Saint Mary's roots lie in the Lasallian traditions of respect for all persons, social justice, and the belief that education can transform the lives of individuals and their communities—so our students not only graduate with a professionally-focused MS degree, but we help them develop the skills and framework needed to make a real impact in the biotech industry through a small, cohort-based, and flexible program model.
Over the course of our two-year PSM program, Saint Mary's students will approach and consider different areas of Biotech—giving them the versatility needed to pursue their career goals while blazing their own path in the workforce. Our courses offer technical and practical skills for success in the biotechnology field including a blend of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, research methods and statistics, and bioinformatics.
A Hybrid Program with the Best of Both Worlds
With a curriculum designed for both recent graduates and working professionals already in the life sciences or looking to transition into the industry, Saint Mary's understands the importance of respecting the time of our students. As such, our program is totally hybrid with evening remote classes held during the week alongside in-person lectures and labs on Saturdays. As we begin with our third cohort of scientists, we find that this model is perfect for balancing time commitments in the Bay Area while also staying true to the close-knit, student-focused nature of Saint Mary's College.
Committed to Your Professional and Personal Development
At Saint Mary's, our students sharpen their science technique skills with classes like Advanced Molecular Biology and Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry and Cell Biology where they can build hands-on experience in biochemical techniques like protein purification and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. They'll also engage with cutting-edge research and scholarly conversations in Genomics and Immunotherapeutics and Advanced Research Methods in Biotechnology.
These courses are interwoven with a mix of business-focused courses that give students the real-world tools needed to succeed in their careers like Project Management, Financial and Managerial Accounting, and Organizations and Management of Life Science Companies—that said, our courses in Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Biotechnology and Management and Leading Contemporary Organizations with a Social Justice Framework ensure that our students are also thinking about the big picture, encouraging them to become responsible and ethical participants in the industry.
All of these classes come together in the final Biotechnology Internship where students will gain individualized insight about the pros and cons of working in the biotechnology industry and build a network of industry professionals to help them with their career progression. Even though the internship happens in their final Spring semester, our faculty work with students from the moment they start the program to identify and explore their long-term career and professional goals.
With faculty coming from both the academic sector and the professional world (including professors and an advisory board with top leadership experience at big-name Biotech companies like Genentech), we do everything we can to help students make the most out of their professional careers and personal development.
Learn more about our program course offerings below!
PSM in Biotechnology Internship Requirement
Higher education should help your career, not hold it up. With Saint Mary’s Biotechnology PSM, students gain hands-on industry experience prior to graduation. Each student is required to complete four credits of internship experience in the biotechnology field. Leverage our Bay Area positioning and industry network to maximize your exposure and connections.
Sample PSM Curriculum
1st Semester - Fall (9 units)
- BTECH 500 Introduction to the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry
- BTECH 508 Biotechnology Seminar II : Genomics and Immunotherapeutics
- BTECH 509 Advanced Research Methods in Biotechnology
First January Term (2 units)
- BTECH 507 Biotechnology Seminar I
2nd Semester - Spring (10 units)
- BTECH 504 Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics
- BTECH 505 Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
- BTECH 502 Regulations and GMP in Drug, Diagnostics and Medical Device Development
- BTECH 516 Career Preparation Seminar
3rd Semester - Fall (11 credits)
- BTECH 501 Advanced Molecular Biology
- BTECH 506 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Biotechnology
- BTECH 503 Organizations and Management of Life Science Companies
- BTECH 510 Bioinformatics
Second January Term (1 unit)
- BTECH 780: Internship Preparation
4th Semester - Spring (7 credits)
- BTECH 790 Internship OR
- BTECH 791 Capstone Experience
- One of the Business electives:
BTECH 511 Managing and Leading Contemporary Organizations with a Social Justice Framework OR
BTECH 512 Financial and Managerial Accounting OR
BTECH 513 Project Management
PSM in Biotechnology Learning Outcomes
Gain the lab experience and business perspective you need to advance your career in biotechnology. After finishing the PSM program, Saint Mary’s students:
- Acquire hands-on training in cutting-edge techniques, unpack the core concepts behind modern molecular biology and biotechnology, and understand why they are significant.
- Clearly understand legal, social, ethical issues and best practices related to the biotechnology industry.
- Critically evaluate scientific research and effectively communicate findings in oral and written formats.
- Gain a strong foundational knowledge of biotechnology’s business side.
- Apply the understanding of market forces and social justice issues to strategic planning and problem solving in the biotechnology industry.
School and Department Information
Vidya Chandrasekaran, Ph.D.
Program Director, PSM in Biotechnology
vc5@stmarys-ca.edu
925-631-4251
Collin Skeen
Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment
cas38@stmarys-ca.edu
925-631-4190