http://www.uwplatt.edu/program/applied-biotechnology

Dr. Mark Levenstein, Academic Director
Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology
Address: University of Wisconsin-Platteville
240 Gardner Hall
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818-3099
Phone: 608.342.1331
Email: levensteinm@uwplatt.edu

Statement of Purpose

The program provides an understanding of the principles and techniques of biotechnology, including ethical, safety, and privacy concerns; funding; intellectual property and patents; professional and technical communication; experimental design and analysis; and organizational leadership—all within the scope of the global biotechnology industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate professional and scientific communication appropriate for biotechnology settings
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of organizational processes and product development pipelines
• Distinguish among diverse methods and technologies and their applications in biotechnology
• Demonstrate strategic leadership and decision-making skills necessary in biotechnology.
• Appraise the current regulatory, quality control, and legal frameworks that impact biotechnology
• Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors that foster positive and productive interactions in diverse biotechnology settings

Introduction

The M.S. in Applied Biotechnology responds to the recognized growth of the Biotechnology industry and corresponding increased demand for well-qualified professionals in the field. The program represents a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares students to advance their careers and pursue their academic ambitions through leadership and management positions within the biotechnology field. The degree represents a fully online, asynchronous curriculum comprised of 31 credits to include six core courses (organized into two, three-course certificates), three concentration or track courses, a Capstone preparation course and a project-based Capstone course. Defined core courses provide students with a solid foundation in biotechnology, leadership, ethics, research, communications, product development, quality control, and regulatory and compliance practices. In addition, the program offers four unique tracks (each a distinct certificate) to assist students in tailoring their coursework to meet their career goals: quality assurance and compliance; business management; research and development; and applied bioinformatics. Students will be able to complete more than one program track/certificate. UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater will offer the program jointly. The required capstone course, which represents the culminating experience in the program, will provide students with the opportunity to apply skills acquired from coursework through a project-based experience in their concentration area.

Admission Requirements for Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology

Admission to the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology requires:

• Prerequisite coursework in General Biology and General Chemistry
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Employment résumé
• A personal statement of not more than 1000 words
• Admission exams, such as the GRE or the GMAT, are not required.

To be eligible for admission in full standing, a student must have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.  Students who do not qualify for admission in full standing may be admitted in full standing on probation if justified by the admitting department and approved by the College Dean.  Such candidates should provide two letters of recommendation, either professional (a workplace colleague or supervisor) or academic (former professor or academic advisor). Letters should focus on work experience or academic performance indicative of success that is not reflected in GPA or coursework.

Program entrance requirements and degree completion requirements are consistent with those of the other collaborative degree-granting institutions offering similar programs. Applicants should follow the instructions found in the Admission Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Special Students

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education (USDE) may register as a Special Student. Special students receive full academic credit for credit-bearing courses taken while they are on special student status. The special student may later be considered for admission into a degree program if a 3.0 grade point average has been maintained in all graduate-level work and all other admission requirements are met.  All UW-Platteville graduate-level work will be included in computing the student’s academic average. Students are encouraged to talk to the appropriate program coordinator if they have questions about which courses to take as a special student. Students can earn up to 12 credits as a special student; additional credits may be allowed with special permission from the Provost Designee. A maximum of 12 credits earned as a special student may be applied to a degree-seeking program. This may limit the number of transfer credits or waivers a student may receive from other institutions.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology is earned upon the successful completion of 31 credit hours (18 core credits, 9 emphasis credits, 1 pre-capstone credit, and 3 capstone credits). Upon graduation, students will have earned, at minimum, 3 distinct certificates (2 core certificates and 1 emphasis certificate). All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.  Graduate credits in which a grade lower than a “C” has been earned will not be counted toward a degree in Applied Biotechnology; however, these lower grades will be reflected in the student’s grade point average.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Core Courses		18
ABT 7000	Principles of Biotechnology
ABT 7050	Ethics, Safety and Regulatory Environment in Biotechnology
ABT 7100	Professional and Technical Communication in Biotechnology
ABT 7150	Techniques in Biotechnology
ABT 7200	Experimental Design and Analysis in Biotechnology
ABT 7250	Leadership in Organizations
Emphasis - Choose one emphasis listed below		9
Capstone Courses		4
ABT 7890	Pre-capstone
ABT 7900	Capstone
Total Credits		31

Areas of Emphasis 

Quality Assurance and Compliance Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ABT 7350	Quality Control and Validation	3
ABT 7400	Regulatory Practice and Compliance	3
ABT 7450	Industrial Applications in Regulatory Affairs	3
Total Credits		9

Business Management Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ABT 7500	Biotechnology Marketing and Entrepreneurship	3
ABT 7550	Global Operations and Supply Chain Management	3
ABT 7600	Quality and Project Management in Biotechnology	3
Total Credits		9

Research and Development Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses
ABT 7650	Assessing Innovation in Biotechnology	3
ABT 7700	Product Development	3
ABT 7750	Tools for Data Analysis	3
Total Credits		9

Applied Bioinformatics Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
ABT 7300	Python for Bioinformatics	3
ABT 7800	Bioinformatic Inquiry	3
ABT 7850	Applications of Bioinformatics	3
Total Credits		9

UW-Platteville offers several graduate certificates.  These certificates are distinct from the Master's degree, but credit earned for them might be applied toward the completion of the degree.  To earn a certificate, students must complete all the required courses through the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, under the direction of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty.  Transferred courses or course substitutions are not allowed.

To obtain a graduate certificate, students must:

• Complete the certificate with a minimum GPA of 3.00
• Achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each course from the certificate program
• Request a certificate through their advisor within one year from completion of the final course of the certificate

Foundation Graduate Certificates

Certificate in Fundamentals of Biotechnology

The graduate Certificate in Fundamentals of Biotechnology will provide students with a foundation in biotechnology principles and techniques, and application of biological and chemical methods to modern biotechnological product development.  Students will also learn principles of statistics, experimental design, data analysis, and bioinformatic evaluation of complex data sets. The curriculum consists of three, three-credit, 100% online courses. Students are not required to be enrolled in the MS ABT degree program.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1
ABT 7000	Principles of Biotechnology	3
ABT 7150	Techniques in Biotechnology	3
ABT 7200	Experimental Design and Analysis in Biotechnology	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This certificate can be standalone or stackable within the MS ABT program. 

Certificate in Leadership, Ethics, and Communication in Biotechnology 

The graduate Certificate in Leadership, Ethics, and Communication in Biotechnology will provide students with training in ethical and safety concerns in biotechnology development and production, oral and written professional scientific communication, and business and leadership principles in industry. The curriculum consists of three, three-credit, 100% online courses Students are not required to be enrolled in the MS ABT degree program.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1
ABT 7050	Ethics, Safety and Regulatory Environment in Biotechnology	3
ABT 7100	Professional and Technical Communication in Biotechnology	3
ABT 7250	Leadership in Organizations	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This certificate can be standalone or stackable within the MS ABT program. 

Track Certificates

Certificate in Quality Assurance and Compliance in Biotechnology 

The graduate Certificate in Quality Assurance and Compliance in Biotechnology will provide MS ABT program degree seeking students relevant training in ensuring quality standards are met, from discovery to production and will focus on quality control and validation in product design, development, and manufacturing. Additional emphasis will be placed on examining key regulatory agencies and practices within the highly regulated and innovative biotechnology industry. The curriculum consists of three, three-credit, 100% online courses as part of the MS Applied Biotechnology degree.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1
ABT 7350	Quality Control and Validation	3
ABT 7400	Regulatory Practice and Compliance	3
ABT 7450	Industrial Applications in Regulatory Affairs	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This stackable certificate is only available to students enrolled in the MS ABT program.

Certificate in Business Management in Biotechnology 

The graduate Certificate in Business Management in Biotechnology will provide MS ABT program degree seeking students relevant training in marketing and commercialization strategies while exploring supply and distribution, sustainability, and project management in biotechnology from a global perspective. Areas of focus include pharmaceutical marketing, B2B marketing, and Six Sigma methodologies. The curriculum consists of three, three-credit, 100% online courses as part of the MS Applied Biotechnology degree.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1
ABT 7500	Biotechnology Marketing and Entrepreneurship	3
ABT 7550	Global Operations and Supply Chain Management	3
ABT 7600	Quality and Project Management in Biotechnology	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This stackable certificate is only available to students enrolled in the MS ABT program.

Certificate in Research and Development in Biotechnology 

The graduate Certificate in Research and Development in Biotechnology will provide MS ABT program degree seeking students relevant training in evaluating scientific discovery and market value, balancing business growth with innovation, and navigating patent, intellectual property, and licensing requirements. Additional focus will be placed on strategies in evaluating and implementing new products within diverse areas of biotechnology including agricultural, industrial, medical, and environmental. The curriculum consists of three, three-credit, 100% online courses as part of the MS Applied Biotechnology degree.

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1
ABT 7650	Assessing Innovation in Biotechnology	3
ABT 7700	Product Development	3
ABT 7750	Tools for Data Analysis	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This stackable certificate is only available to students enrolled in the MS ABT program.

Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics

The graduate Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics will provide students with relevant training to be successful in professional bioinformatics positions. The curriculum is designed for students to process biological data from scientific research, such as large-scale genomics and other molecular and biological datasets, using computation and analysis tools. Students will gain proficiency in applied statistics, machine learning, data visualization, programming, and other techniques that aid in scientific discovery. The curriculum consists of three, three-credits, 100% online courses as part of the MS Applied Biotechnology degree. 

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following requirements:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses 1,2
ABT 7300	Python for Bioinformatics	3
ABT 7800	Bioinformatic Inquiry	3
ABT 7850	Applications of Bioinformatics	3
Total Credits		9

¹

This stackable certificate is only available to students enrolled in the MS ABT program.

²

This certificate can be standalone within the MS ABT program with the addition of ABT 7200.  Prerequisites and admission criteria for the standalone certificate in Applied Bioinformatics are the same as for the MS ABT Program.