Advanced Certificate in Biotechnology Enterprise

What defines Fordham’s Advanced Certificate in Biotechnology Enterprise?

Grounded in law, business, computer and information sciences, and chemical and biochemical sciences, Fordham’s advanced certificate in biotechnology enterprise offers a comprehensive view of this sector from discovery through commercialization. The program is designed to help those without a traditional science background gain the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in a STEM-driven industry. Students are prepared not only to advance their careers, but also to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to this important, innovative sector.

How to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Biotechnology Enterprise

To ensure that we are able to holistically evaluate the candidate’s suitability for the Advanced Certificate in Biotechnology Enterprise program, the following application components are required: 

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV) 
• Academic transcripts
• Official graduate record examination (GRE) scores (optional)  
• Statement of intent 
• Supplemental essay (optional)
• Writing sample 
• Two letters of recommendation 

Please visit the admissions information page to learn more about our admissions requirements.

Courses at a glance

• Introduction to the Science in Biotechnology
  Covers the molecular foundations of biotechnology, receptor pharmacology, genomics, cell biology and signaling, immunology, molecular biology, virology, molecular microbiology, microarray analysis, proteomics, biosensing, and analytical methods in biotechnology.
  
  
• Biotechnology: Strategy and Management
  Exposes students to the “business of biotech” from scientific discovery startup through its product launch and subsequent organizational and scientific pipeline growth. Topics include scientific discovery, biotech-related funding and organizational structures, an introduction to regulatory and clinical trial considerations, biotech alliances, patient access, ethics and compliance, and commercialization and growth to meet consumer needs in this highly regulated industry. Students will experience what it means to be a professional in this industry with all its complexities.
  
  
• Law and Regulation in Biotechnology
  Introduces laws that govern the biotechnology industry and its processes. Students will receive an overview of early-stage research, the clinical trials process, good manufacturing practices, the FDA’s approval requirements, post-approval marketing and safety, and rules and testing requirements for generics and biosimilars. The course also surveys law related to the business and financing side of biotechnology, including intellectual property, funding for research, material transfer agreements and other contractual arrangements, and corporate structures.
  
  
• Experimental Design, Biostatistics, and Math for Data Science
  Explores the principles of experimental design and statistical analysis. The class emphasizes research in the molecular and biological sciences and biotechnology. Topics include probability theory, sampling, hypothesis formulation and testing, parametric and nonparametric statistical methods, discrete and continuous random variables, vector spaces, linear algebra, and graph theory.
  
  
• Biotechnology Capstone
  Offers students an opportunity to integrate and apply the skills learned in earlier courses to an independent research project supervised by a faculty/industry mentor or an industry internship.

Ipsita Banerjee, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry and Bionanotechnology

Professor Banerjee’s research group is working on the design of smart biomaterials to create tailored cell-surface adhesive for 3D bioprinting—with potential applications in regenerative medicine drug delivery systems, particularly for tumor targeting. Her lab also conducts biocomputational studies and designs nanoscale probes to investigate protein misfolding mechanisms in underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.