Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge

FLORIDA ATLANTIC

BIOTECH BRIDGE Prepare for Success in the Life Science Industry

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 average wage for workers employed in the bioscience industry is $99,000, that is 85% higher than average wage of workers employed in any other private sector.

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 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.

Professional Science Master's in the Business of Biotechnology

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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 that 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 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. See website for more information on courses options.

Undergraduate Biotechnology Certificate Program

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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

MCB 3023L General Microbiology Lab BCH 3103L

BSC 4403L PCB 3063

3 credits

All

1 credit

All

Biochemistry Lab

3 credits Fall, Spring

Genetics

4 credits

Lab Methods in Biotechnology 3 credits

Where are these courses held?

All classes and labs are taught on FAU’s Boca Raton campus; however, there is a virtual option for the lecture courses.

In addition to the formal coursework, students are highly encouraged to attend the Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge Seminar Series.

Spring All

Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate Program

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Pharmaceutical technology is a rapidly growing field involving the design, manufacturing, inspection and packaging of medicines, as well as 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. And other qualifications listed on page 4.

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 CHM 4273 CHM 4139 CHM 4139L

Introduction to Drug Development Introduction to Drug Design

Bioanalytical Instrumentation

Bioanalytical Instrumentation Lab

3 credits

Fall

3 credits

Summer

2 credits

Spring

2 credits

Spring

1-3 credits

All

Elective Courses: IDS 3941 CHM 4220 CHM 4276C CHM 4350 CHM 4933 CHM 4933 BCH 3103L BCH 4035 BSC 4932

Science Internship Course Organic Chemistry 3

Introduction to Drug Formulation Structural Biochemistry Organic Spectroscopy Chemical Biology

Biochemistry Laboratory

Advanced Biochemistry 2 CMBB Research Seminar

3 credits

Fall

3 credits

Spring

3 credits

Fall

3 credits

All

3 credits

Fall

3 credits

Fall, Spring

3 credits

Fall

1 credit

Fall, Spring

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Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge Seminar Series Florida Atlantic Biotech Bridge Seminar Series, supported by the Davimos Foundation, offers a lineup of esteemed speakers from industry and academia to share insights and real-world experience. Each speaker is open to Q&A and dialog with the audience. The seminar series welcomes faculty, students and the community, during the fall and spring semesters, to FAU’s Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses.

Presentations are also available online.

“

Life Sciences companies are putting Palm Beach County under a microscope and finding a myriad of reasons to start, relocate, or expand here. We have nearly 700 companies operating here that are primarily engaged in R&D or the manufacturing of biotechnologies, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.”

Kelly Smallridge President and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County

Internships

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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 professional experience opportunities for students.

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 credit).

“

The Drug Development Course at FAU provided invaluable information on the processes involved in drug discovery and development. I networked and built relationships with industry professionals that led to an internship opportunity at a local pharmaceutical company. The hands-on experience and technical knowledge I gained was essential for starting a career as a recent graduate.”

Courtney Cocilova, Ph.D. Analytical Development Scientist ADMA Biologics

F LORI DA AT LAN T IC

BIOTECH BRIDGE FAU Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CMBB) FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton For more information: Shailaja Allani, Ph.D., Director, CMBB cmbb@fau.edu