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The online Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology from Colorado State University is designed to launch or accelerate careers in the fast-growing biosciences industry.
With a focus on real-world application over academic research, this program replaces the traditional thesis with a six-month internship that gives students firsthand experience with leading biotech companies.
This program delivers a powerful combination of technical knowledge and business acumen to help you advance in the biotechnology industry. Throughout your coursework, you’ll gain expertise in:
The program is guided by an industry advisory board and supported by exclusive partnerships with organizations like Tolmar, KBI Biopharma, Meati Inc., and Colorado Serum. Students benefit from networking opportunities, access to the Colorado Bioscience Institute’s mentorship program, and on-site visits, an opportunity available to all students, though especially valuable for those based in Colorado.
Designed with working adults in mind, the program offers flexible online learning and digitized lab experiences, allowing students to balance professional development with their careers. It’s the only Colorado-based biotech master’s degree that emphasizes hands-on experience and industry integration over research.
Graduates are prepared to lead in the biotech industry through roles that require a mix of scientific, operational, and leadership expertise. The required internship and industry mentorship ensure students enter the workforce with meaningful experience and a professional network already in place. Students may also fulfill their internship by completing a special project within their current organization, allowing them to apply new skills directly in their workplace.
The Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology PSM program prepares students to thrive in high-demand biotech sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biologics, regenerative medicine, synthetic biology, and sustainable manufacturing. Whether your goal is technical specialization or leadership, you’ll graduate ready to make an immediate impact.
A minimum of 39 credits are required to complete this program.
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:
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Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:
Professor Aydin Berenjian joined Colorado State University in July 2023, bringing with him years of invaluable experience gained through his distinguished career in academia and industry across multiple countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Berenjian has a prolific research publication record, having authored numerous papers, books, and book chapters, contributing significantly to the scientific literature. His expertise and contributions have been recognized through the receipt of multiple grants and awards for research and teaching excellence. His entrepreneurial spirit is evident through the establishment of his own successful start-up.
Beyond his own research, he has made significant contributions to the scientific literature through prominent long-term editorial positions in several prestigious journals, and he currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Molecular Biotechnology.
Matt Kipper joined the faculty of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at CSU in the fall of 2006. Prof. Kipper earned B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. He also performed postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Peccoud is the Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at Colorado State University. He also holds joint appointments in the Department of Systems Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Biomedical Engineering at Colorado State University. He is a member of the executive committee of the Cellular and Molecular Biology program.
Jean Peccoud came to Colorado State University from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech. He brought with him a diverse experience that includes working for Fortune 500 and start-up companies. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Synthetic Biology published by Oxford University Press. He is a member of the Engineering Biology Research Consortium Council and Security Working Group. He is the founder of GenoFAB, a technology startup whose mission is to increase the productivity of life science research by helping scientists produce more and better data accelerating the pace of product development and basic research.
Dr. Christopher Snow joined the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2011, and has proceeded to join the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Department of Chemistry, the School of Biomedical Engineering, the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, and the School of Advanced Materials Discovery.
Dr. Snow received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from MIT in 2001 and his Ph.D. in Biophysics from Stanford University in 2006. As a Howard Hughes fellow at Stanford, Dr. Snow studied the biophysics of protein folding using distributed computing. Before arriving at CSU, Dr. Snow was a Jane Coffin Childs Fellow and a KAUST Research Fellow at Caltech where he developed software for computational protein engineering, designed libraries of cellulase enzymes, and studied protein recombination using high-throughput crystallography.
"The Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology PSM focuses on cutting-edge technology and forging vital industry connections. Thanks to this program, I landed a full-time position as a microbiologist at Colorado Serum before even completing my degree. The coursework directly applies to my current work, and the industry partnerships set this program apart from others."
| Fall semester | July 1 |
| Spring semester | December 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowThe Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology PSM requires that students have the following:
*If you do not meet minimum requirements, please contact Matt.Thompson@colostate.edu to get your pre-requisites and prior experience evaluated before formally applying for the program. Depending on academic background, students without a bachelor's degree in engineering may be required to take additional courses. Please use the following email subject line: PSM Online – Admission Inquiry – YOUR NAME.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Please note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
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