Essential Information
The biotechnology industry is based on a combination of cell and tissue techniques, diagnostic techniques and genetic engineering used for a variety of medical, agricultural and environmental applications. Master's degree programs in biotechnology management supplement these biological topics with business, marketing, economics and leadership training.
Some schools require an internship at the culmination of the degree program so that students gain real-world experience. Applicants to a master's degree program in biotechnology management must hold a bachelor's degree, and previous training in areas such as molecular biology, calculus and statistics is highly recommended.
Master's Degree in Biotechnology Management
The curriculum of a master's degree program in biotechnology management is highly interdisciplinary, combining classes in general policy and management, biotechnology industry and biotechnology science. Common courses include:
- Fundamentals of biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Ethical and societal issues in biotechnology
- Principles of project management
- Managerial finance accounting
- Organizational administration
Popular Career Options
The production of materials for diagnosing, preventing and treating human diseases, conducting biotechnological research, vaccinating animals and detecting soil pollutants are some specialty areas used with biotechnology companies. Some specific career titles available to graduates of a master's degree program in biotechnology management include:
- Laboratory supervisor
- Project manager
- Public relations officer
- Marketing specialist
- Regulatory affairs officer
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
Biochemists and biophysicists earned a median annual salary of $109,360 as of May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS projected job growth of 4%, the average for all occupations, for biochemists and biophysicists from 2019-2029. The BLS also projected job growth of 6% for medical scientists during the same time frame. Medical scientists earned a median salary of $91,510 as of May 2020.
Continuing Education
Biotechnology managers looking to further their education have the option of pursuing a doctoral degree in biotechnology or business administration, depending on what area they are looking to expand. Both doctoral degrees involve highly advanced coursework and extensive dissertation research. Earning a doctoral degree results in career advancement and the possibility of instructing at the postsecondary level.
Graduates of a master's program in biotechnology management have the leadership skills and necessary knowledge of biotechnology to work as biophysicists, biochemists, medical scientists and more. They can also pursue a doctoral degree to further their career or become a professor.
