Biotechnology courses | Top 9 universities to pursue the course!

From completely changing the quality of a crop to altering which nutrients we can use in medicines, biotechnology is changing the way our world functions. Using it, we can decide the color of plants, make artificial organs, ferment beer, and even transform our very genes. The varied applications of this field make it super interesting to study. And the subjects you learn can vary from mathematics and engineering to biology, business management, and ethics! In this blog, we have shared the 9 most unique biotechnology courses and the best universities around the globe.

Harvard University

Instead of offering a plain master’s course, Harvard offers a joint Masters in Biotechnology: Life Sciences. The MS/MBA degree is a result of a collaboration between The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Medical school, this degree is as unique as they come.

Being one of the best biotechnology courses, this MS/MBA program is designed to build upon your existing knowledge and provide you with a deep understanding of biotechnology and management. The subjects you learn will help you build sustainable business models around therapeutics.

Tuition fee – $84,455 per annum

Cost of living – $1,758 per month

The curriculum will include subjects like NextGen Biotechnology, Finance, Ethical Dilemmas, etc. During the course, you would also have to research and work on your own thesis, so you can step out of college with all the knowledge you need.

University of Cambridge

Launched only 2 years ago, the MPhil in Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge combines various disciplines into one. These topics include engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, and biology.

During the 11-month course, you will learn and research the latest trends and advancements in biotechnology. Additionally, you will develop skills in fields like biotech, pharma, environmental monitoring, biofuels, and even biometrics!

Tuition fee – £31,734

Cost of living – £11,230

As a result, you will not only learn how to research, think critically, document, and communicate but also acquire the business-relevant knowledge and skills needed to make it as a biotech expert in today’s world.

Stanford University

Surrounded by hundreds of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical technology companies in the Silicon Valley, Stanford University is home to experts. The university offers a variety of opportunities and resources to students through programs such as Bio-X, and Biodesign, among other biotechnology courses.  

These Masters in Bioengineering courses focus on emerging research and ethics, along with physical sciences, engineering, and statistics. The subjects you learn will include Clinical Needs & Technology, Diagnostics Devices, Conduct of Research, and more.

Tuition fee – $47,076 per annum

Cost of living – $50,160 per annum

Apart from this, the university has collaborations with several bioengineers and clinical partners, bringing in a wealth of mentorship and expertise for its students.

University of California, Berkeley

The College of Engineering at UC Berkeley offers some of the best biotechnology courses. One of those courses is an ME in Bioengineering – an intensive 10-month course combining technical skills with leadership. At UCB, you will not only learn practical problem-solving and core management concepts but also hone your technical skills in engineering and business.

Apart from learning the core subjects, you will have the opportunity to choose from 7 different tracks for specialization. These include General Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering Design, Biomedical Imaging, Biomaterials & Biomedical devices, Mechanobiology, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, and Synthetic Biology.

Tuition fee – $30,286 per annum

Cost of living – $54,876 per annum

UCB’s focus on practical applications will expose you to hands-on projects in faculty labs and entrepreneurship practices through research. By the time you graduate, you will be more than ready to make a dent in the biotech industry.

ETH Zurich

At ETH, the Masters in Biotechnology is a mentor-based program, where students can design their own courses and receive close guidance from teachers. And apart from developing your knowledge about the core subjects of biotechnology, you can also take up electives that interest you.

During the course, you will learn your subjects theoretically, go through lab training, work on at least two research projects, and a master’s thesis. Apart from this, you will also be asked to intern for 12 weeks, so can apply what you have learned.

Tuition fee – CHF 730 per semester 

Cost of living – CHF 16,000 to CHF 26,000 per annum

Unlike quite a few courses at ETH Zurich, the MS in Biotechnology program is taught in English. And the best thing? You can do it even if you’re not from a life sciences background!

University of California, Los Angeles

The Samueli School of Engineering at UCLA offers biotechnology courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels for students interested in bioengineering. The college’s theoretical grounding is balanced with its practical, hands-on activities in real-world engineering environments.

As a student in the Bioengineering department, you can pick and choose the subjects you want to specialize in. These include Biomedical instrumentation, Signal and image processing, Biosystems science and engineering, Imaging informatics, Cellular tissue therapeutics, and Neuroengineering.

Tuition fee – $46,097 per annum

Cost of living – $20,923 per annum

During your course, you will not only be taught, but also encouraged to intern in your field of interest, develop your mathematical, technical & communication skills, and be a better problem solver. By the time you graduate, you will be industry ready!

California Institute of Technology

At Caltech, the Bioengineering studies focus on how to analyze, manipulate, design, and construct biological systems. You will find that the college offers a specialized bioengineering option to undergraduate students and a BE Master’s degree for those looking to do a postgraduate course in the same.

The subjects you learn will range from bioimaging and bioinspired design to tissue engineering, molecular programming, and synthetic biology. While you learn, you will have the opportunity to work on a number of projects in each of these sub-disciplines.

Tuition fee – $54,537 per annum

Cost of living – $34,405 per annum

If you choose to go for the graduate program, you will not only have learned biotechnology subjects and worked on your own research projects but also written and defended your own thesis! And everything you do can be presented at the social programs conducted by the university, at the Rosen Bioengineering Center. This makes it one of the most sought-after biotechnology courses for students. 

University of California, San Diego

As a prospective student at the University of California, San Diego, you can actually major in biotechnology during your undergraduate program. The Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering: Biotechnology at this university will prepare you for a variety of biotechnology jobs.

While helping you build a strong theoretical foundation in the subject, the course will also emphasize applications of biochemical processes. The subjects you study will include biochemistry, bio-transport, biosystems, tissue engineering, and cellular physiology.

Tuition fee – $28,992 per annum

Cost of living – $31,035 per annum

Once you graduate from the Jacobs School of Engineering, you will be ready to work in the biotech industry, or even study the subject further as a graduate student, depending on your preference.

University of Toronto

The Master of Biotechnology engineering (MBiotech) program at the University of Toronto is an interdisciplinary course-based program. It offers specializations in two disciplines – Biopharmaceutical and Digital Health Technologies. Both of these are intensive 24-month programs that incorporate courses with 8-12 months of paid work experience in the industry.

The scientific subjects you learn will include Biopartnering, Biomaterials & Protein Chemistry, Drug Manufacturing, IT Consulting, and  Digital Health Technologies. The other topics will include Management of Technological Innovation, Data Visualization, and Society, Organizations, and Technology (wow)!

Tuition fee – $47,110 per annum

Cost of living – $15,000 per annum

This is one of the biotechnology courses in Canada which is designed to meet the evolving needs of students and the biotech industry.  It also has a strong focus on the subjects of science and business. Moreover, as a student pursuing the MBiotech degree at UofT, you will also participate in interdisciplinary studies and teamwork.

What’s next?

Now that you know what subjects each of these courses cover, how much they cost, and what’s special about each one of them, it’s time to shortlist your universities into three categories – Dream, Reach, and Safe.

After this, you can check the individual application requirements for your favorite biotechnology colleges and begin your application process!

Let me know which biotechnology courses you’re planning to apply to in the comment section. 

Cheers!

FAQs

Q1. What are the branches of biotechnology?

Answer- The 5 branches of biotechnology include- 

• Animal Biotechnology
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Medical Biotechnology
• Plant Biotechnology
• Environmental Biotechnology

Q2. What are some popular employment sectors after pursuing biotechnology courses?

Answer- Here’s the list of the best employment sectors in this field-

• Medicine
• Ecology
• Agriculture
• Pharmaceutical
• Soil Biology
• Genetic Engineering, etc. 

Q3. What are some biotechnology diploma courses? 

Answer- You can pursue diploma courses such as-

• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Physiology
• Environmental Toxicology 
• Human Anatomy
• Microbiology, etc.