• Basic Engineering for Scientists (2 Credits)

- or -

• Basic Biochemistry & Biology for Engineers  (2 Credits)
• Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Processing (2 Credits)
• Introduction to Upstream Unit Operations (4 Credits)
• Introduction to Downstream Unit Operations (4 Credits)

Total Credits: 12

The 12-Credit BPD Certificate curriculum is divided into three segments:

1. A 2-credit gateway course, which will differ depending on students’ prior education.  Students entering the BPD Certificate with a life science-based undergraduate (or equivalent) degree will enroll in the 2-credit ramp-up engineering for scientists’ course. This course will cover basic engineering science principles underlying major unit operations in biopharmaceutical unit operations. These will include mass, heat and momentum transfer operations with examples and case studies relevant to biopharmaceutical processing. Students entering with an engineering degree or equivalent will enroll in a 2-credit life science course with focus on basic biochemistry, biology, mechanism of action and molecular basis of biologics and techniques in biologics product and process development.
2. Students will also take a 2-credit introductory course in bioprocessing, which includes bioscience industry-related material in areas such as regulatory affairs, process flow development, platform and non-platform process development, and unit operations relevant to biomanufacturing. This course will also cover the history of biopharmaceuticals and biologics from the first generation biopharmaceuticals including recombinant DNA based production of insulin and human growth hormones to second generation products including monoclonal antibodies and advanced vaccines, to next generation biologics including CAR-T cell and gene therapy products.
3. The third component of the Certificate includes two focused 4-credit courses, one covering basic upstream and the other covering downstream unit operations in biopharmaceutical process development. These two courses are integrated with other courses in the curriculum seamlessly, and include significant amount of lab- and pilot-scale components.  In these courses, students will also continue to be challenged with biomanufacturing industry-based scenarios, including elements of cost analysis, and project management. Each course will also include a small “capstone” type process development project.  This project will span the entire course, and includes training in team work, project management, and presentation.

The modalities of teaching in the Certificate curriculum will draw on the pedagogical strengths of JIB, emphasizing active learning, strong industry focus, and team-based learning.  All courses will be through lectures, workshops and seminar courses as well as hands-on lab-and pilot-scale studies.