Life Sciences / Biomanufacturing Graduate Certificate Online

Graduate Certificate
Life Sciences Management Graduate Certificate

WPI’s graduate certificate programs are designed to meet the needs of a variety of corporations and individuals who are interested in honing advanced technical and business skill sets necessary to fill leadership and laboratory roles within the life science industry.  Inherent in the program of study is sufficient course selection flexibility for students to, if desired and admitted, be able to continue their graduate studies and earn an MS degree online in Biotechnology or Bioscience Management, depending on student interest and background.

Also available online: 

Admission Qualifications

  • 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
  • BS degree in life sciences or an engineering field with a foundation in life sciences, or another field that demonstrates a knowledge of basic biochemistry principles
  • A BA degree will also be considered if the applicant has the appropriate math & science coursework
  • If you do not have a bachelor's degree, please view our list of undergraduate programs

Application Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Biomanufacturing

Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
  • Deepen technical knowledge in specific areas of the bioproduction process such as upstream processing, protein purification and downstream processing, animal cell culture, and fermentation.
  • Broaden understanding of one or more areas of bioprocessing such as cell cycle regulations, biovisualization, biochemical engineering, or gene expression.
Program Requirements
Program Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Biomanufacturing must be composed of 12 credits of graduate coursework, comprised of 9 credits of skills-based courses as well as 3 credits in a thematically related graduate course, approved by a faculty advisor.

Courses

Please note that courses with an asterisk*, have an on-campus lab requirement.  Labs will be planned with the working professional in mind. 

Skills-Based Courses (9 credits)
  • BB 505.  Fermentation Biology*
  • BB 508.  Animal Cell Culture*
  • BB 509.  Scale up Bioprocessing*
  • BB 560.  Methods of Protein Purification & Downstream Processing*
  • BB 570 ST.  Medical and Applied Immunology*
  • BB 581.  Bioinformatics
  • CH 554. Molecular Modeling
  • MA 511. Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists

Thematically Related Course (3 credits)

  • BB 504. Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • BB 570 ST. Practical Process Control
  • BB 570  ST.  Advanced Topics in Biotechnology

Student will consult with their Academic Advisor to select a course to fufill this requirement.

To find the next offering of online Biotechnology courses, visit the Registrar’s site.

To view a course description, visit the Graduate Catalog.

Subject to change based on availability.  

Graduate Certificate in Life Science Management

Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes 
  • Expand technical knowledge in specific areas of strategic focus for the biopharma industry such as immunology, gene therapy, virology, pharmacology, and more.
  • Build deeper understanding of one or more areas of the product development process, such as drug and device regulations and regulatory compliance, risk management and/or value creation and innovation.
  • Develop skill sets necessary to lead and/or collaborate with successful teams in the diverse, highly regulated and fast-paced life science industry – may include project management, leadership and/or interpersonal skills.
Program Requirements

Program Requirements

The online life science management graduate certificate requires the completion of 12 graduate credit hours. The distribution of credits is as follows: 

  • Minimum of 6  and no more than 9 credit hours must be chosen from courses thematically-related to the life sciences and may include those with a prefix of BB, BCB, CH, or other approved department by the CBC faculty administrator (for ex. BME, CHE)
  • Minimum of 3 and no more than 6 credit hours of management coursework
Courses

Lifescience thematically-related courses

(Choose from the suggested courses below or work with your Academic Advisor to create your own plan of study)

  • BB 504. Moleucular Biology of the Cell
  • BB 565. Virology
  • BB 581. Bioinformatics

Management Courses

(Choose from the suggested courses below or work with you Academic Advisor to create your own plan of study)

  • BUS 546. Managing Technological Innovation
  • FIN 500. Financial Management
  • MIS 576. Project Management
  • OIE 542. Risk Management and Decision Making
  • OBC 505. Teaming and Organizing for Innovation
  • OBC 506. Leadership

To find the next offering of online courses, visit the Registrar’s site.

To view a course description, visit the Graduate Catalog.

Subject to change based on availability.  

On-Demand Webinar

Info Session: Life Sciences Graduate Certificates

View our on-demand webinar to be introduced to WPI's online graduate programs in the Life Sciences. Get an overview of program logistics, what online learning looks like, the application process, and more!

WEBINARS

Graduate Studies Series

Team members from Graduate & Professional Studies host quick and convenient webinars designed to highlight popular topics when starting grad school. Take a deep dive into specific areas of interest such as how to secure funding, how to ace your application, an overview of student services, and more!