Master of Science in Biotechnology
Domestic (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents): August 1st
International Inside Canada: August 1st
International Out of Country: May 1st
Spring - Classes start in January:
Domestic (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents): December 1st of previous year
International Inside Canada: December 1st of previous year
International Out of Country: September 1st of previous year
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT STUDY PERMITS
We recommend students looking to apply for a Study Permit apply 3-4 months minimum in advance of the program start date.
Learn more about Study Permit application on the OGS website.
Program Description and Accreditation
Tuition
Domestic: $23K CAD
International: $47.1K CAD
The domestic tuition price is inclusive of a scholarship of up to 25% for all domestic students beginning their graduate studies in the 2026 academic year. Domestic Canadian students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher from their previous institutions are eligible to receive up to 50%. This scholarship is not transferable to alternative programs of study, terms or campuses outside of Toronto, ON.
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025–2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Program Description
Northeastern’s MS in Biotechnology is an innovative, non-thesis graduate degree program. The curriculum of this professional science master’s combines advanced interdisciplinary training in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical science with the development of 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 specialties. The program is taught by respected faculty who are also senior leaders in their fields and bring extensive experience and firsthand knowledge of industry trends.
On-ground program details:
- Specialize your degree with four available concentrations.
- Learn from expert faculty who bring industry experience into the classroom.
- Participate in wet lab coursework experience.
- Gain real-world work experience during a 3-6-month co-op with a leading industry, academic, or government employer.
- All biotechnology lecture courses can be completed online. Two hybrid lab courses occur across the summer terms annually.
Online with on-ground residency program details:
- All lecture courses can be completed online, and two hybrid lab courses occur across the summer terms annually
- For students living in Canada, the on-ground lab coursework occurs across the full summer term, one day per week, with multiple course timing options. If students are not able to waive the laboratory coursework requirements, they must travel to campus to attend on-ground classes for the duration of these windows.
Students choose from concentrations in which core courses are combined with specialization and elective study. All concentrations include wet lab coursework designed to provide students with fundamental bench/technical skills they will need to access cutting-edge advances in the industry.
Available concentrations include:
- Agricultural biotechnology: The agricultural concentration goes beyond the production of biological drugs and focuses on the key agricultural biotechnology (agritech) principles and methods used today. The concentration addresses plant, animal, food, and ecological biotechnology.
- Biodefense: The biodefense concentration is designed to prepare students for the initial homeland biodefense and bioterrorism response. Students have an opportunity to 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.
- Biopharmaceutical technologies and analytics: The biopharmaceutical technologies and analytics track focuses on structures, variants, and activities of biological molecules, as well as how to convert purified proteins to biopharmaceutical drug products that are compatible for clinical use. Students learn the diversity of molecular forms derived from biological products, techniques to analyze and characterize these forms, and the impact of these structural changes on the safety and efficacy of biopharmaceuticals.
- Biotechnology operations: The biotechnology operations track is an operationally inclusive concentration that offers relevant insights to the inner workings of a biotech company while preparing students for new entry or promotions to a variety of biotech functions. Students learn the principles of quality, regulatory science, process science, and manufacturing, while integrating business and management skills with the science of biotechnology.
- Interdisciplinary: Students are not required to declare a concentration. With the interdisciplinary option, students select 17 credits of electives in place of concentration-specific courses.
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).
Career Outlook
The multibillion-dollar biotechnology industry is diverse, growing, and filled with opportunity. Individuals with advanced scientific knowledge, intellectual flexibility, drive, and professional skills can pursue paths of innovation with the potential to meet critical healthcare and environmental challenges-and to change lives. The industry’s unparalleled growth is projected to continue in the coming years. The result is an ongoing expansion of career opportunities on every level and in every industry sector, from large pharmaceutical operations to entrepreneurial biotechnology startups.