The Master of Biotechnology Program prepares students for leadership roles in the critically important and dynamic fields of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Strongly interdisciplinary, this innovative professional master’s program draws its faculty and courses from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Arts and Sciences. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical/biotechnology hub, Penn offers unparalleled access to world-class research centers, fostering cutting-edge education and career opportunities.
I graduated from the Masters of Biotechnology program with a concentration in Biopharmaceuticals/Engineering in December 2024. Through taking a multitude of courses at UPenn with esteemed professors in the field of academia and the industry, I have been able to apply such an immensely interdisciplinary education by engaging in various consulting clubs offered. Namely, I participated in pro-bono consulting projects within the Penn Biotech Group and Penn Graduate Consulting Club. Through these projects, I gained real-world consulting experiences while collaborating with graduate students across various disciplines and networking with professionals in the industries. As such, the MBIOT program has been a powerful asset in preparing students like me for careers in biotechnology.
I graduated from the MBIOT program in December 2024, and it’s been a transformative journey. While I came in with a strong technical background, the program opened my eyes to the broader world of biotechnology, including the challenges of clinical development, the role of intellectual property, and the complexities of corporate strategy. Alongside coursework, I gained hands-on research experience at the Davidson Lab, CHOP, and the Paralkar Lab at Penn Medicine, which sharpened my scientific skills. This program has truly shifted my perspective and steered my career towards the intersection of science and business. I’m excited to explore biotech consulting and help bring innovative solutions to life.
By The Numbers
Our faculty members are dedicated to building up the next generation of engineers. In addition to being incredible mentors, they’re leading experts and researchers in their fields.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of modern genomics and genome engineering techniques and their applications in basic research and translational medicine. Both classical DNA recombination techniques and CRISPR-mediated genome editing will be discussed. The genomics section will explore next- and third- generation sequencing methods and their applications like RNA-seq and ChIP-seq. Key concepts in genomics and gene regulation will be introduced, with practical examples from development, stem cells, disease models, and synthetic biology, highlighting how engineering techniques transform and advance these fields.
An application of fundamental quantitative principles to biological problems across a wide range of scales. Through an engineering lens, we examine biology on the genetic, molecular, cellular, and population level. Using this information, we can begin to rationally engineer safe and effective biologics. Emphasis is placed on quantitative modeling in MATLAB/Python and immunotherapy design.
Genomics and Omics Technologies: We will focus on genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics topics ranging from transcriptomics to transgenic organisms to epigenetics. This fast-paced course will cover both foundational principles, as well as modern applications and developments, offering hands-on active learning opportunities where possible. Students will be expected to engage deeply with the material, and will have the opportunity to develop scientific skills in critical thinking, reading, and communication, culminating in a final group presentation at the end of the semester.
