Overview
The goal of the MBS Drug Discovery & Development concentration is to train students in the areas of drug development, regulatory affairs, drug discovery, and management of clinical trials. In addition to learning about processes related to pharmaceutical development, students will acquire fundamental knowledge of industry-related business areas including finance and accounting, entrepreneurship, communication and leadership, intellectual property, ethics, marketing, and regulatory.
Skills Gained
Through expert instruction and experiential education, students will:
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical science as well as industry-related business fundamentals
- Gain an overview of the commercialization process
- Learn about the guiding principles and best practices for product commercialization
- Gain analytical and communication skills suitable for managerial and leadership positions in clinical research, clinical trials, contract research organizations, federal regulatory agencies (such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration) and pharmaceutical marketing
Where our Drug Discovery and Development Alumni Work
There are numerous job opportunities and career paths available to individuals with advanced knowledge of Drug Discovery and Development.
| Titles | Companies |
|---|---|
| Senior Global Trial Manager | Bayer |
| Preclinical and Nonclinical Study Manager | Merck & Co. |
| Biomarker Operations Lead | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Human Subjects Protection Analyst | Bristol Myers Squibb |
| and more! | |
Preferred Academic or Professional Experience
Academic
- Applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in the biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, or a health-related field.
- Prerequisite coursework includes the following: two semesters of biology; two semesters of chemistry; two semesters of organic chemistry; and courses/background in physiology, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Candidates who have most but not all of the required courses/background may be able to take some of the prerequisite courses as part of the MBS degree (e.g., 16:115:512 and 16:148:514 for those without cell biology and biochemistry).
Professional
- One to two years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry or biotech industry is preferred; however, all professional experience will be considered as part of the application process.
Applicants who are unsure of their eligibility for this concentration should schedule an appointment with an enrollment specialist.
"The Professional Science Master’s Program has been an excellent and rewarding experience. I have enjoyed interacting with students and faculty while I enhanced my knowledge of drug discovery and development and integrated new learnings about the business aspects of pharmaceutical development." - James Andahazy, Drug Discovery & Development Graduate