Professional Certificate Program in Biotechnology & Life Sciences

Awarded upon successful completion of 16 or more days of qualifying Short Programs courses in Professional Education, this certificate equips you with an extended knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of biotechnology as well as an understanding of new technologies and a hands-on approach to introducing new methods of formulating, manufacturing, and everything in-between.

Why Study Biotechnology at MIT?

Located in one of the world's foremost centers of innovation—Cambridge, Massachusetts' Kendall Square—MIT is the world's leading university in science, technology, and innovation. The MIT campus is located right in the center of the fast-expanding Cambridge biotech startup community, with many companies getting their start in MIT's research labs.

Whether you want to transform the agricultural industry or engineer a breakthrough pharmaceutical drug, the Professional Certificate in Biotechnology & Life Sciences features several courses to broaden your understanding of this diverse and evolving field. You will be taught by leading experts who closely collaborate with one another, and each course covers the three main aspects of biotechnology product and process design. Finally, you will get the opportunity to bring the issues you are having within your own companies, and in a community of like-minded learners, get the opportunity to learn from one another and develop real-time solutions.

In the spirit of MIT's motto, "Mens et Manus" or mind and hand, Short Programs from MIT Professional Education combine both theoretical and research-based knowledge with practical hands-on experience and networking opportunities for working professionals.

Location

MIT is located in the intellectual, exciting, and vibrant city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, nestled next to the state capital of Boston and right on the Charles River. MIT is located in Kendall Square, an innovation hub with more startups than any other place in the world (for example, at CIC). Take time to visit historic Boston while here—catch a Red Sox game, go whale watching, visit world-class museums, take a boat ride on the Charles River, visit Quincy Market, or explore other local area colleges. TripAdvisor's Best of Boston Tourism list may be a good resource

The Professional Certificate Program in Biotechnology & Life Sciences is designed for a wide range of professionals including:

• Professionals with at least three years of professional experience who hold a bachelor's degree (at a minimum) in a technical area
• Engineers, biologists, chemists, microbiologists, and biochemists
• Managers responsible for biochemical processes
• Entrepreneurs, attorneys and business leaders seeking greater insight into biotechnology

Key Benefits

The Professional Certificate Program in Biotechnology & Life Sciences reflects MIT's world-class status and innovative culture, enabling you to:

• Learn in-person from renowned MIT faculty and leading industry practitioners
• Network with an accomplished group of peers from around the globe
• Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
• Receive a 15% discount on future MIT Professional Education Short Programs and Digital Plus Programs courses
• Gain membership in the exclusive MIT Professional Education LinkedIn group
• Receive a complimentary one-year subscription to the MIT Technology Review upon completion of the program
• Updates on faculty research, new programs, and MIT initiatives via our newsletter
• Groups from the same company and location with five or more registrations in the same year receive a 15% discount for all courses included in the Biotechnology & Life Sciences Certificate Program. Please contact us for details.

Certificate Requirements

This Professional Certificate Program consists of a core of courses in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals and several elective courses on leadership, communication, and experimentation - key skills for any professional in the biotechnology field. Earning the Professional Certificate requires the completion of at least 16 days of qualifying courses, which must include the three core courses, and may include up to one elective. You can customize your learning experience by selecting the courses that are most relevant to you and your organization. The program must be completed within 36 months of completing the first qualifying course.

• Successful completion of at least 16 days of qualifying courses, which must include three core courses, plus one elective.
• The program must be completed within 36 months of completing the first qualifying course.
• Courses that have been completed prior to applying for the certificate program may count towards your program requirements, keeping in mind that the full program must be completed within the 36-month window

Core Courses

We recommend starting with the core courses first. However, if there are elective courses that you have the background and education to begin with, you are welcome to do so. Please note that whether you begin with core or elective courses, you are required to complete all requirements within 36 months.

All programs are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

You are required to select 1 out of the 2 following courses as your Core courses:

• Downstream Processing— (5 days)
  Understand the fundamentals of downstream processing and gain new strategies for biochemical process analysis and synthesis.
• Fermentation Technology— (5 days)
  Discover how to apply biological and engineering principles to problems involving microbial, mammalian, and biological/biochemical systems.

Note: MIT Professional Education's Short Programs is committed to providing a diverse and updated portfolio of Short Programs courses and reserves the right to change these course selections in future years.

Electives

One of the courses needed to complete the certificate program can be an elective. All courses are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

• Bioprocess Data Analytics and Machine Learning— (3 days)
  Discover transformative ways to apply data analytics and avoid the most common pitfalls that arise when analyzing bioprocess data.
• Cell Therapy Manufacturing Bootcamp — (3 days)
  Looking to manufacture the next breakthrough cellular therapy? In our high-impact three-day course, you’ll discover how to accelerate the development of safe, efficacious, and cost-effective cellular therapies—and learn how to bring them out of the lab and into the hands of patients in need.
• Engineering Leadership for Emerging Leaders—(5 days)
  Gain the leadership skills you need to mobilize colleagues to pursue a shared vision, solve problems through teamwork, and motivate people to deliver their best results.
• Persuasive Communication Bootcamp—(4 days)
  Enhance your communications skills and attain greater professional success by improving your public speaking, critical thinking, and data visualization.

Note: MIT Professional Education's Short Programs is committed to providing a diverse and updated portfolio of Short Programs courses and reserves the right to change these course selections in future years.

How to Apply

To apply, submit an application for the professional certificate program, using this link or the selecting the "Apply Today" button on the top left of this page, along with a non-refundable $325 application fee. Each of the courses will be paid at the per-course rate. Visit our course catalog for individual course information.