Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences

 

Merrimack College and the Department of Biology are now poised to take advantage of a unique and timely opportunity to expand their academic programs in biotechnology and biomedical Sciences. The Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences has been established to support new academic initiatives to attract and engage academically talented students with an aptitude for science and math, students who are interested in the study of life sciences, especially in the areas of biotechnology and biomedical sciences, and students who seek excellent academic preparation for a wide range of career opportunities.

Merrimack College’s Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences is distinctive in its offering of academic programs that provide an excellent foundation in both the theory and practice of science within the context of a strong liberal arts education. The graduates of the Center’s programs will thus be 'Thinker/Doers', i.e., workers who have the academic background and skill sets necessary to carry out the daily 'hands-on' activities of the scientific enterprise, and the ability to trouble shoot experiments, critically read and analyze the scientific literature, draw valid conclusions based on a available data, and perhaps most importantly, successfully adapt to the rapidly changing industry demands and technologies of the 21st century. 

The Center's academic program will prepare students for jobs and/or further study in life sciences: e.g., research positions in biotechnology and biomedical sciences laboratories, clinical laboratories, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; sales and marketing positions in the life science industry; graduate school (M.S. and Ph.D. programs); professional schools (medical, veterinary, and dental); patent and intellectual property law; biostatistics; bioinformatics; and data management.

 The Center’s mission is to provide students with an excellent academic foundation sufficient to meet the rapidly evolving opportunities and challenges facing biological scientists in the 21st century. In the past year, Merrimack College's Program in Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences has made significant progress, including the adoption of a departmental curriculum with concentrations in the areas of Biotechnology and Integrative Physiology; the establishment of a Biotechnology/Biomedical Sciences Advisory Board with distinguished members from both industry and academia; the renovation of lab space in Mendel Science Center; the acquisition of a major gift donation of lab equipment from Wyeth to support student/faculty research in the program; the procurement of student internship opportunities for several Merrimack Biology majors at area companies; the inauguration of a Seminar Series in Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences; and membership in the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

The Foundations for Success of this Program Include

• A comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum offering breadth and depth of study in the biological sciences, including cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, organismal biology, ecology, and environmental biology
• Dedicated Faculty with demonstrated accomplishment in teaching, scientific research, and service to the Merrimack College community who are eager to adapt and enhance program offerings to achieve academic excellence
• Commitment by Faculty to foster close mentoring relationships with students in the classroom and laboratories, and in their roles as advisors for course selection and career development
• High quality curricular and co-curricular opportunities for students
• A Departmental history that includes a large number of graduates who have successfully entered professional degree programs at leading academic institutions such as Cornell, Georgetown, Tufts, and Johns Hopkins Universities, or who have obtained direct entry in the biotechnology/biomedical sciences workforce

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Biotechnology?  It is the use of living organisms or life processes to solve problems or make useful products.

What is Biomedical Science?  It involves the basic and clinical research in areas related to human health and disease.

What do Biotechnologists and Biomedical Scientists Do?  Biotechnologists use a combination of biology and technology to address many of today’s most urgent scientific and societal issues. For example, biotechnologists:

• Discover new and potent pharmaceuticals and mass produce vast amounts of once rare drugs to treat a variety of human illnesses
• Perfect forensic technologies to identify criminals based on a single strand of hair or drop of blood left at a crime scene
• Genetically program bacteria to “eat” toxic chemicals and help clean up the environment
• Search for ways to grow new human cells and tissues to replace those lost to injury, illness or aging
• Biomedical scientists engage in research that advances the body of knowledge on topics related to health and medicine. For example, biomedical scientists:Discover the causative agent of newly emerging  diseases such as “bird flu” or “mad cow” disease
• Investigate how certain diseases such as AIDS and cancer escape detection by the immune system and devise ways to enhance immunity and combat these diseases
• Discover linkages between certain genetic traits, lifestyles, and /or behaviors and the onset of disease
• Discover effective diagnoses and treatments of disease
• Investigate the positive effects of diet on human health

What are the Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences?   Career prospects are bright for someone trained in the life sciences, and especially for those with training and expertise in the areas of biotechnology and /or biomedical sciences.  Employers of people trained in these disciplines include biotechnology companies, the pharmaceutical industry, research laboratories in hospitals, colleges and universities, and government agencies.

Someone with a Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in these disciplines can use it:

• As a foundation for research careers in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, clinical science and pharmacology
• For jobs in management, sales, marketing, and regulatory affairs in biotechnology and biomedical sciences related businesses
• To attend graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, business or law school
• To teach science in elementary, junior high, or high school
• To pursue careers in technical writing and science journalism

Someone with a Master’s Degree (M.S.) in these disciplines can use it for each of the opportunities listed above, although with greater possibility for advancement, a higher salary, and increased job responsibility/independence.

Someone with a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in these disciplines can use it for each of the opportunities listed above, or:

• To direct scientific research in university or government laboratories
• To become an executive in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
• To become a  college or university professor

Remember, the more advanced the education, the greater the career opportunities!

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Modica-Napolitano, Ph.D.
Director, The Center for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences
email:  josephine.modicanapolitano@merrimack.edu
tel:      (978) 837-5314