Florida Atlantic BIOTECH BRIDGE
Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge connects science and other applicable majors with industry, offering certificate programs that prepare versatile graduates for successful careers in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The innovative coursework is complemented by guidance opportunities from industry experts and experiential learning focused on required laboratory skills.
A rapidly growing high-skill, high-wage workforce:
- Florida’s bioscience industry is large and growing, with employment increasing by 11% since 2018, matching the national growth rate and reaching nearly 107,000 jobs in 2021.
- The biosciences industry is diversified – pharmaceutical, medical devices, medical laboratories and research – into more than 6,000 establishments in Florida and provides employment for 87,061 people.
- The average wage for workers employed in the bioscience industry is $99,000, that is 85% higher than average wage of worker employed in any other private sector.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth rate for jobs in this sector between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than the projected growth rate of 5% for all other professions.
For students interested in obtaining a graduate degree to enhance their competitive edge in the workforce, the professional science master’s in the business of biotechnology (PSM-BB) option is tailored to the business side of the emerging biotechnology industry.
Who qualifies for this program?
Students with undergraduate training in biology or chemistry are eligible for this program, which offers traditional classroom courses in both business and science and culminates with two internship experiences focused on the research lab and the biotech business environments.
What courses are required?
The PSM-BB is a total of 34 credit hours.
Core Courses (10 credits required)
ENT 6016 | Venture Creation | 3 credits |
ENT 6196 | Biotech Business Development | 3 credits |
MAN 6946 | PSM Business Internship | 2 credits |
BSC 6946 | PSM Science Internship | 2 credits |
Business Courses (9 credits required; choose from the list below)
ACG 6027 | Financial Accounting Concepts | 3 credits |
ENT 6186 | Technology Commercialization Strategies | 3 credits |
MAR 6837 | Developing and Marketing Innovations | 3 credits |
MAR 6815 | Advanced Marketing Management | 3 credits |
MAR 6055 | Marketing Functions/Processes | 3 credits |
ENT 6426 | Entrepreneurship Venture Capital | 3 credits |
MAN 6296 | Leadership and Organizations | 3 credits |
MAN 6156 | Human Resources Management | 3 credits |
ENT 6116 | Advanced Business Plan Development | 3 credits |
MAN 6581 | Project Management | 3 credits |
MAN6609 | Cross-Cultural Management and Human Resources | 3 credits |
Science Courses (15 credits required)
The science courses are electives.
Scientific and technological advancements continually open new areas of growth in the biotechnology industry, which span the agricultural, industrial, and medical fields.
FAU’s Biotechnology Certificate program is designed to encourage and prepare students seeking careers in this rapidly growing industry, focusing on molecular and microbiology techniques and preparation for working in a regulated laboratory setting.
For more information, visit science.fau.edu/certificates.php
Who qualifies for these programs?
- FAU biology and chemistry students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Graduates of FAU or other accredited institutions with a bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry
- Possible consideration for students in other majors with equivalent academic experience
What courses are required?
Students can complete the certificate program in two years or less. The track is a total of 14 credit hours and includes two lecture courses and four lab courses.
MCB 3023 | General Microbiology | 3 credits | All |
MCB 3023L | General Microbiology Lab | 1 credit | All |
BCH 3103L | Biochemistry Lab | 3 credits | Fall, Spring |
BSC 4403L | Lab Methods in Biotechnology | 3 credits | Spring |
PCB 3063 | Genetics | 4 credits | All |
Pharmaceutical technology is a rapidly growing field involving the design, manufacturing, inspection, and packaging of medicines and research for new drugs, their validation, delivery system, and scaling up the manufacturing process.
FAU’s Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate program provides students a unique opportunity to understand the drug development process, emphasizing the role of biology, chemistry, biochemical, analytical, formulation, and regulatory aspects of drug discovery.
Individuals who plan to pursue a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and have completed higher-level undergraduate courses, including organic chemistry II and biochemistry I.
What courses are required?
Students can complete the certificate program in one year or less. The track is a total of 14 credit hours.
Required Courses:
CHM 4274C | Introduction to Drug Development | 3 credits | Fall |
CHM 4273 | Introduction to Drug Design | 3 credits | Summer |
CHM 4139 | Bioanalytical Instrumentation | 2 credits | Spring |
CHM 4139L | Bioanalytical Instrumentation Lab | 2 credits | Spring |
Elective Courses:
IDS 3941 | Science Internship Course | 1-3 credits | All |
CHM 4220 | Organic Chemistry 3 | 3 credits | Fall |
CHM 4276C | Introduction to Drug Formulation | 3 credits | Spring |
CHM 4350 | Structural Biochemistry | 3 credits | Fall |
CHM 4933 | Organic Spectroscopy | 3 credits | All |
CHM 4933 | Chemical Biology | 3 credits | Fall |
BCH 3103L | Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 credits | Fall, Spring |
BCH 4035 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits | Fall |
BSC 4932 | CMBB Research Seminar | 1 credit | Fall, Spring |
Internships are key to Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge program, offering meaningful, real-world experiences in actual biotechnology or biopharmaceutical companies. These applied learning experiences pave the way for future employment. Program staff and the FAU Career Center work with companies in the South Florida area to help secure student professional experience opportunities.
Juniors or seniors with a 3.0 GPA or above may also earn academic credit for their internships by enrolling in the science internship course (1-3 credits).
Contact Us
Email:
cmbb@fau.edu
Phone:
561.799.8322