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Quick Facts

The basics at-a-glance

Degree earned: Master of Science in Biotechnology

Location

Northwestern University’s Evanston campus

Access to 100+ nearby leading research labs

Timing

15-21 months full-time (depending on optional six-month internship) 

6 months of full-time research included

Classes start in September

View the curriculum

Class Size

Cohort of 30-40 students

Students’ undergrad degrees are primarily biology, engineering, or other science majors

Meet our students

Admissions

Application deadlines

Priority deadline: March 15

Final deadline: May 31 

Application opens September 1

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Dr. Kumar Dhanasekharan

Vice President, Technical Operations, SwanBio Therapeutics

“ MBP students are definitely some of the brightest and talented students I have ever worked with, and I am impressed with their level of training and strong aptitude to learn.”

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Bettina WunderlichMBP ’17

PhD Student

“ MBP provides many different opportunities depending on one’s interest. It is a great starting place for someone interested in working at a biotech or pharma company, pursuing a PhD or even working in consulting.”

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Sanjana RaoMBP ’20

“ The Master of Biotechnology program at Northwestern appealed to me because it gave me the freedom to choose specific courses and tailor my curriculum based on my interests and future goals.”

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Maya HalthoreMBP ’19

“ What drew me to MBP was its focus on research. As someone who did not have any lab experience prior to joining Northwestern, I wanted to be able to have a fully immersive education where I not only learned about topics in biotech in the classroom but also had the chance to practice what I was learning in the lab.”

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Amy LeeMBP '21

“ The opportunity for MBP students to showcase their work to industry professionals is important for developing our scientific communication skills. No matter what job or career we end up in, effective communication is one of the most important skills to have.”

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Siddhant PrabhuMBP '18

“ You have to be able to navigate complex relationships with colleagues and clients to be successful in consulting. In addition to having knowledge, you need to have good emotional intelligence. MBP prepared me well for this and helps me stand out at work every day.”

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Why Northwestern?

Unique program features

Northwestern aims to ensure its graduates leave with competencies that satisfy the demands of a wide variety of jobs within biotechnology and related industries (including consulting). 

In addition to core coursework covering biology, bioprocess engineering, and innovation/business, students develop sought-after learning, problem-solving, and soft skills through extensive laboratory research, practical experience, professional connections, coaching, and workshops. This combination of skills not only defines the MBP graduate, but prepares them for the ever-increasing career options in this field, or to further their education through a PhD, MD, or JD.

Technical Proficiency

Technical Proficiency

Curriculum evolves from where you start. Prereq options for nonengineers and nonbiologists prepare you for the core classes. 

Customize your degree through electives, internships, certificates, minors, and research projects.

Explore Curriculum
Invaluable Research

Invaluable Research

Our research extends beyond the technical science. Learn the creative and critical thinking skills necessary to address open-ended questions and hard-to-find solutions. 

Choose a research project from one of 12 industry-relevant research areas and graduate with an unparalleled level of research hours (6 months) conducted in world-class facilities.

Discover Student Research
Industrial Opportunities

Industry Opportunities

Choose internship and co-op opportunities with companies from around the world.

Get a feel for working in industry through biotech hub site visits.

Grow your network through panels, meet-and-greets, and our annual MBP biotechnology event. Make connections through MBP’s industrial advisory board members.

See Upcoming Events
Professional Skills

Professional Skills

Advance your career by learning professional enabling skills such as communicating, decision-making and presentation development. Reinforce these skills while conducting research.

Receive coaching and individual counseling from MBP staff and professional development events.  Present your research findings to the MBP Industrial Advisory Board.

Develop Professional Skills

The relevance of research

Go beyond learning advanced laboratory techniques and gain a more holistic understanding of research as you carry out hands-on projects in the laboratory and practice a suite of professional and soft-skills. Our unique approach teaches you to identify the right problem and seek appropriate and thoughtful solutions so you can own your project beginning to end.

After logging 6 months of full-time research in world-class facilities, including the Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, your collaborations with leading faculty will prepare you for positions in laboratories, consulting, manufacturing, government, and more.


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Inside our Program

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