Master of Science in Biotechnology

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (MSB)

1. PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL
Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary field at the frontier between biology, engineering, and medicine. It is concerned with the use of developments in molecular biology for applications in human and animal health, agriculture, environment, and biochemical products. It uses scientific tools and techniques to improve microorganisms and to give them more value. Advances, mainly in the field of molecular biology, helped scientists to isolate specific genes from different sources, modify them by using recombinant DNA techniques before transferring them to the target organisms for a variety of purposes.

The Master of Science in Biotechnology provides students with the foundations necessary for succeeding and advancing in one of the fastest growing and most complex fields in the world. An emphasis will be made on data analysis as well as on specific techniques that will help students gain experience in manipulating microorganisms, identifying gene products involved in some diseases, making recombinant DNA, sequencing, and producing specific gene products.

The proposed program is aimed at preparing graduates who are multi-skilled in aspects of biotechnology and can thereby serve as vectors of change in modern industries, in the development of present industries into modern firms, and also contribute into the creation of new enterprises in Morocco.
This program requires the completion of specified graduate courses within two years that would allow students to cover theories in molecular biology and related biotechnology topics as well as applications in lab sessions, in the areas of recombinant DNA and proteins.

The objective of this program is to equip students and professionals, with a background in biological sciences, with emphasis on the most recent methodologies and techniques in biotechnology and related sciences. The adequate practical training in functional genomics, microbial biotechnology and recombinant proteins synthesis will prepare them to work in different biotechnology sectors; including pharmaceuticals development, biomedical processing, crop and livestock improvements, and food industries, in the context of entrepreneurship and commercialization.

This professional master’s program is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the breadth of biotechnology’s commercial potential. The different courses students have to take, the considerable hands-on experience they will gain during their training, the team work spirit they would develop, and their close interaction with professors, researchers and experts from the biotech industry will allow for them in the end to be autonomous and able to lead production, development, and research projects.
The main goals of the program are:

• To provide graduate education to qualified students in order to prepare them for a career in biotechnology and related fields.
• To offer a firm grounding in the science of biotechnology.
• To provide an introduction to the management of biotechnological corporate.

Foundation Courses

Students whose background does not include the specific requirements for the graduate program may need to take undergraduate foundation courses prior to accessing regular graduate courses. These may be offered in form of independent study during the summer. Some of these courses are:

Core Courses (18 SCH)

Students must complete the following courses:

Minors (9 SCH)

Three areas of specialization (minors) are offered: Production and Development in Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineering, and Biotechnology Management. The student will choose to take one ofthese three areas and will take three courses from the chosen minor. Followingare course offerings in each area:

Minor 1: Production And Development In Biotechnology

Minor 2: Biotechnology Engineering

Minor 3: Biotechnology Management

Master Project: Industrial Experience (3 SCH)

• Formal Internship, with a biotechnology company, followed by a thesis based on an interdisciplinary research project and an oral defense.