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Graduate Degrees

The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) offers two graduate degrees: aMaster of Science(M.S.) in biomanufacturing and aMaster of Biomanufacturing(M.R.). Both provide advanced education and training in a specific discipline while simultaneously developing business skills highly valued by employers.

The Master of Science in biomanufacturing is a research-based degree that requires a written thesis in addition to completion of advanced hands-on courses in BTEC's simulated cGMP facility. The Master of Biomanufacturing curriculum combines BTEC's advanced biomanufacturing courses with an increased focus on bioscience-focused MBA courses; a thesis is not required.

Both degrees offer students the choice of upstream (fermentation) or downstream (purification) concentrations to accompany courses in global regulatory affairs, protein characterization techniques, case studies in cGMP manufacturing of influenza vaccine, case studies in monoclonal antibody production, advanced biomanufacturing and biocatalysis, and an industry internship. Both degrees also include professional skills training in effective oral, electronic, and written communications for both technical and business careers. All MBA courses are taught by faculty from the Jenkins Graduate School of Management, a part of NC State's Poole College of Management.

Where are BTEC Graduate alumni now?

  • Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc.
  • Baebies
  • Baxter International Inc.
  • Biogen
  • BIOMILQ
  • CAI
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies
  • KBI Biopharma
  • Kriya Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Kymanox
  • Locus Biosciences, Inc
  • Merck
  • MilliporeSigma
  • Moderna
  • Novartis Gene Therapies
  • Novo Nordisk
  • Pfizer
  • Q2 Solutions
  • Resilience
  • Sanofi
  • CSL Seqirus
  • StrideBio, Inc
  • Sumitomo Pharma America
  • Tune Therapeutics
  • United Therapeutics Corporation
  • Zymeron Corporation

Admission requirements

Admission to the master's program, which is referred to as BIOM, requires:

  1. Transcripts from an accredited undergraduate degree program in engineering, life science, or physical sciences. A GPA of at least a 3.0 is preferred.
  2. Three letters of recommendation.
  3. A statement of career goals.
  4. A resume.

Applicants with previous industry experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Students may begin the program in either the fall or spring semester.

Degree requirements and schedules

Academic requirements are listed separately for each degree below. In addition, a link to sample schedules is provided.

View theBIOM course requirements document (PDF)for information on core course requirements, tracks and electives.

Master of Biomanufacturing

Students pursuing the Master of Biomanufacturing degree (M.R.) complete 36 total credit hours. M.R. students are required to take graduate-level biomanufacturing courses as well as a concentration in either upstream or downstream processes. Because of the increased focus on professional and business coursework in the M.R. degree, students are required to take three MBA/BUS courses.

Master of Science

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree requires 36 credit hours. Similar to the Master of Biomanufacturing program, the M.S. curriculum combines interdisciplinary coursework with MBA courses, including project management. However, the M.S. program provides more experience in bioprocess development research. This familiarizes students with the methods, ideals, and goals of independent investigation, the concepts of quality by design (QbD), and methods used in industry for design of experiments (DoE) to define design space for industrial processes. Because of its emphasis on research, the M.S. degree requires students to complete industry-focused process research. Student research is mentored by BIOM graduate advisors. Each student is also required to submit a written thesis, which is presented to the student’s BIOM graduate advisory committee.

Example course checklists

See sample course checklists for upstream and downstream concentrations for both full-time and part-time students.

Requirements and application procedures

Thegraduate application instructions (PDF)provides additional information about requirements and application procedures for admission to the BTEC Biomanufacturing Graduate Program (BIOM). To inquire further,contact BTEC's assistant director of academic programs.

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