Major & Requirements

Biotechnology is becoming the dominant technology of the 21st century. Biotechnology, quite possibly more than any other industry, is heavily rooted in technology, entrepreneurship, and public acceptance. As this industry moves rapidly from the scientist's bench to the marketplace, it is in great need of knowledgeable managers capable of swiftly steering innovations into revenues in a highly complex, highly competitive, highly public-sensitive environment. Biotechnology deeply affects not only new, but also traditional corporations in the Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Agriculture and IT sectors. Managers in both emerging and traditional sectors must be literate in new technologies and capable of dealing with the complexity of biotechnology. This major, shaped by an interdepartmental faculty as well as the Center's industrial advisory board, develops the managers who will be responsible for leading the biotechnology industry of tomorrow.

The biotechnology major is well suited for careers in business development, marketing, and finance in biotech and pharmaceutical companies. The comprehensive understanding of the industry's unique business and technical issues also supports careers in life-science driven consulting, banking, and venture capital. Students are advised to complement their industry education with a functional major such as marketing, finance, or management and strategy.

The program does not have formal pre-requisites, allowing students to tailor and enhance their technical knowledge throughout the course of the major. The Center provides a variety of technical opportunities, including intensive "boot camp" classes, independent study projects, laboratory experiences on the Northwestern campus, and basic science training sessions. These opportunities are not required for the major.