Biotechnology

Program Overview

The Master of Biotechnology (MBiotech) program is an interdisciplinary and course-based professional degree program offered through the Institute for Management & Innovation at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Offering fields in both Biopharmaceutical and Digital Health Technologies, this full-time, 24-month program incorporates both science and business courses with 8 to 12 months of paid work experience in industry.

Academic experience in the Life Sciences is required for both program fields. However, students come from various academic backgrounds with the common goal of pursuing a career in the biotechnology, digital health, and/or biopharmaceutical industries. The program is designed to meet the evolving needs of students and these global industry sectors, with lecturers stemming from various University of Toronto Faculties and from biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and governmental agencies. The carefully selected combination of courses, coupled with relevant industry experience and a strong focus on teamwork, provides graduates with a truly interdisciplinary educational experience.

Quick Facts

Master of Biotechnology

Program Description

The MBiotech is a 24-month interdisciplinary, course-based professional degree program. Students come from various science and/or engineering backgrounds with the common goal of pursuing a career in the biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries.

The program meets the evolving needs of students and this global industry sector. Faculty and instructors from various University of Toronto Faculties, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and governmental agencies provide a truly interdisciplinary learning experience. Introductory laboratory courses and a year-long work internship round out the broad-based learning environment.

The program is a full-time, course-based master's degree which is launched in May each year.

Field: Biopharmaceutical

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute for Management & Innovation's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any area of biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, or related field with a minimum mid-B standing in the final two years of study.

• Applicants who have completed their studies outside of Canada must also submit their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject Test scores and meet the SGS minimum standards for English proficiency.

• The MBiotech program also evaluates applicants on their letter of intent, CV, three references, and both a science and business interview.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete 9.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) over a 24-month period:

  • 4.5 FCEs in MBiotech courses (includes credits for Seminar and Work Term Placement)

  • 3.5 FCEs in Biopharmaceutical courses

  • 1.5 FCEs in elective courses.

• An ongoing seminar series led by university, industry, and government specialists links all the participants with the academic, practical, and applied aspects of the program.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: S/F/W/S/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Required Courses

A general description of each required course is posted on the Biotechnology website.

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Elective Courses

Other graduate courses approved by Program Directors.

Field: Digital Health Technologies

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute for Management & Innovation's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any area of biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, epidemiology, psychology, public health, sociology, statistics, or related field with a minimum mid-B standing in the final two years of study.

• A minimum 1.0 credit of university-level statistics (or equivalent) with at least a mid-B standing.

• Applicants who have completed their studies outside of Canada must also submit their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject Test scores and meet the SGS minimum standards for English proficiency.

• The MBiotech program also evaluates applicants on their letter of intent, CV, three references and both a science and business interview.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete 9.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) over a 24-month period:

  • 4.5 FCEs in MBiotech courses (includes credits for Seminar and Placement)

  • 4.0 FCEs in Digital Health Technologies courses

  • 1.0 FCE in elective courses.

• An ongoing seminar series led by university, industry, and government specialists links all the participants with the academic, practical, and applied aspects of the program.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: S/F/W/S/F/W)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Required Courses

A general description of each required course is posted on the Biotechnology website. (See amendment made on March 9, 2022.)

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Elective Courses

Other graduate courses approved by Program Directors.