Master of Science in Biotechnology

Program Description and Accreditation

This innovative, non-thesis graduate degree program combines advanced interdisciplinary training in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical science with training in the high-value business skills critical to success in today’s dynamic workplace. Graduates are prepared to innovate, collaborate, and lead as research, managerial, or technical professionals in a wide range of biotechnology specialities. Our faculty members bring extensive experience and first-hand knowledge of industry trends, assuring that the program curriculum remains current and relevant.

Students have the option to specialize within one area of concentration, take key courses from a range of concentrations, or no specialization. All options feature co-op work experience (optional).

The following three concentrations are available for in-person study at the Toronto campus:

• Biopharmaceutical Analytical Sciences focuses on structures and activities of biological molecules and their variants formed during the production of biopharmaceuticals. Students learn the diversity of molecular forms derived from the biological products through various biological and chemical mechanisms, and the impact of these structural changes on the safety and efficacy of these biopharmaceuticals. The students learn the science and practice applied in the biotechnology industry to analyze and characterize these molecular forms. This is accomplished through both lecture courses of the analytical sciences and project-driven laboratory experience that utilizes analytical techniques such as mass spectroscopy and molecular separations.
• Biotech Enterprise integrates business and management skills with the science of biotechnology. Students learn the fundamental concepts of leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation, financial decision making, and marketing. They gain teamwork, management, and business development skills in the process and graduate prepared to become scientist-managers. There is no lab requirement for this concentration.
• Molecular Biotechnology provides students with didactic and practical knowledge in molecular biotechnology, protein expression, and structural biology. Students learn how to generate and optimize molecular forms used to express recombinant proteins to be used as biopharmaceuticals. Particular attention is paid to cutting-edge technologies such as RNAi and CRISPR/CAS9. In addition, the students learn how to purify biopharmaceuticals and analyze aggregation and how to prevent it.

Qualified domestic students can also pursue the following concentrations on an online basis:

• Agricultural Biotechnology goes beyond the production of biological drugs and focuses on the key agricultural biotechnology (agritech) principles and methods used today. Successful students learn the principles of agritech and the role they play in the concepts and fundamentals of agriculture today. The concentration addresses plant, animal, food, and ecological biotechnology.  The learning of the students is reinforced by both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experience that provides hands-on learning of modern agricultural methodologies.
• Biodefense prepares students for the initial homeland biodefense and bioterrorism response. Successful students learn the microbiology and epidemiology of biological agents that are potential threats, identify and propose countermeasures, and develop expertise in response and recovery strategies and policies. The learning combines the foundational biotechnology courses with case-based and hands-on bioethical, biowarfare, and bioterrorism courses.
• Biotechnology Regulatory Science focuses on the science behind good regulatory practice today. This concentration addresses the issues surrounding current and innovative science practices that influence regulatory decisions. Students learn the science behind compliance. This is accomplished through both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experiences that provide hands-on learning of the science behind dossier analysis.
• Manufacturing and Quality Operations trains students to ensure the production of quality medicines. Students will improve their competency and learn new practical skills, enabling them to increase productivity in various sectors of biotechnology—including basic research of biological systems, discovery, development, and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals.
• Process Science focuses on the production of drug substance of biopharmaceuticals from the cell culture process to purification of biologic molecules. The students learn the principles of development and implementation of biological manufacturing processes through the integration of concepts and fundamentals of engineering and life sciences. The concentration addresses biochemical engineering, mammalian cell culture process development, and protein purification. The learning of the students is reinforced by both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experience that provides hands-on learning of cell culture and protein separation.
• Pharmaceutical Technologies focuses on the conversion of purified proteins to biopharmaceutical drug products that are compatible for clinical use. This concentration addresses the design of the product formulation, and the development and implementation of the drug product manufacturing processes. Students learn the sciences of the interactions of the biologic molecules in the process conditions and the relevant process technology, such as aseptic operations and freeze-drying, needed for drug product manufacturing. This is accomplished through both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experience that provides hands-on learning of formulation design and drug product process development.
• Scientific Information Management focuses on the collection, analysis, and visualization of scientific data. This concentration addresses the issues surrounding big data that face industry today. Students learn how to manage, store, visualize, and provide overall analysis of large scientific data sets. This is accomplished through both lecture courses and project-driven laboratory experiences that provide hands-on learning of the impacts of data on the scientific process.

Students in the above concentrations will be required to complete an in-person class focused on key laboratory skills.

Accreditation Information – Ontario:

This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from September 14, 2021 to January 18, 2028. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).