Biotechnology
At a Glance
Program
Overview
Biotechnology is one of the region’s most promising, exciting, and fastest growing industries, and evolves through rapidly changing technologies, techniques, and applications.
What Is a Biotechnologist?
Biotechnologists are the people who developed the innovative technology that is utilized by the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. An important example today is the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in which biotechnologists used their skills to develop diagnostic assays to test patients and develop rapid RNA and DNA-based vaccine strategies.
With an ever-changing and evolving marketplace, adaptability and flexibility are paramount to success. The Jefferson Biotechnology Program is designed to provide graduates with the unique ability to adapt and innovate in any research environment and product-driven industry. Biotechnologists develop the next generation of biotechnology applications; for example, gene editing technology, viral vector for targeted gene therapy, engineering bacteria for therapeutic protein production, and developing new vaccine technology, which is on the cutting-edge of healthcare.
The Jefferson Biotechnology program offers an educational experience taught by faculty from the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Diagnostic industries, who closely work with students to master essential career knowledge and skills that make graduates very successful. Moreover, the Jefferson Biotechnology program faculty arranges four months of built-in internships in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research laboratories for each student based on their interests, which affords them important workplace experience providing a competitive edge for future employment.
The Jefferson Biotechnology program offers a unique degree concentration in Biopharmaceutical Process Development in conjunction with the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing. Here students will focus on biotechnology in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge biological therapeutics, such as antibodies and proteins used to treat cancer and genetic diseases.
Why Thomas Jefferson University?
The Jefferson Biotechnology Program Prepares Students for Their Careers
Your education at Jefferson will prepare you to be an adaptable and knowledgeable scientist. Throughout the program, you will experience cutting-edge training with nationally recognized faculty. Jefferson Biotechnology students:
- Practice in clinical, academic, or industrial laboratory environments during their four months of practicum/internship experience. Practicum/internship positions are established for the student by the faculty and are based on individual student career interests.
- Gain skills through a broad range of biotechnology-based courses with hands-on laboratory instruction, participation in the Biotechnology Research Program, and practicum/internship experiences providing you with the diverse research experiences that appeal to prospective employers.
- Communicate and work effectively with other biotechnology professionals through Jefferson’s interprofessional education curriculum.
- Learn flexibility and adaptability through collaborative projects conducted in innovative environments.
- Gain lifelong Career Success Center services.
Careers
The job placement rates are very high for Biotechnology graduates, due to significant expansion of the biotechnology field in medical and commercial settings. Nearly 100% of our graduates are currently employed and/or attending graduate or professional school.
Here are some examples of careers available to Biotechnology graduates:
- Academic Research
- Bioinformatics
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Biotechnology Industry
- Healthcare and Medical Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Forensic Science
- Bioprocessing (Antibody and Protein Therapy, Vaccine Production)
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture Industry (Plant Sciences)
- Fermentation Science
- Energy industry (Biofuels)
- Biochemical and Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Monitoring
- Quality Control and Quality Assurance
- Biodefense
Our Jefferson Biotechnology program offers a unique degree concentration in Biopharmaceutical Process Development in conjunction with the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing. Here students will focus on the biotechnology in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge biological therapeutics, such as antibodies and proteins used to treat cancer and genetic diseases.
Concentration in Biopharmaceutical Process Development
This concentration is designed to prepare biotechnology students for a variety of technical careers in biomanufacturing. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and emphasizes inquiry, laboratory- and pilot plant-scale-based learning, and team building. A primary learning outcome of the BPD concentration is to provide students with the basic professional skills to operate effectively in technical entry-level roles in biomanufacturing. Students also gain an understanding of the regulatory environment in which biomanufacturing operates. The curriculum prides itself on the team-based projects that pervade the courses, and a focus on communication and teamwork skills, consistent with the learning outcomes for the courses, is evident as the students are required to demonstrate both written and oral presentation skills throughout the curriculum. Upon satisfactory completion of this concentration, either a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Biotechnology with Concentration in Biopharmaceutical Process Development is granted by Thomas Jefferson University.