Curriculum

This industry presence—combined with expert Kelley faculty knowledge in the business of life sciences—creates the perfect culture in which to train the next generation of biotech business leaders.

Not only will you gain skills in traditional business fields like accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and business law, but you will also learn these principles through biotechnology curriculum designed specifically to address how they apply to scientific industries.

This isn’t just any business master’s degree: This is specialized training to lead the biotech industry.

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Learning format

The biotechnology and life sciences curriculum is delivered in a blend of in-person and online classes. This best-of-both-worlds approach combines the convenience of remote learning with the value of face-to-face collaboration among peers and professors—building a professional network that lasts beyond the classroom. Your classrooms will include the IU Indianapolis campus as well as immersion sessions hosted at biotech locations throughout the city. These sessions, held on Saturdays, are an opportunity for you to fully engage in the course topic and apply what you're learning in a lab setting.

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Biotechnology master’s courses built for future industry leaders

Discover a curriculum designed for scientists ready to lead. Kelley’s postgraduate courses in biotechnology combine tailored business fundamentals, industry-focused coursework, and immersive capstone experiences, equipping you to translate scientific innovation into business success.

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JARED WILSON: The master's in
the business of biotechnology

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and life sciences at
Kelley Indianapolis

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is a degree program
focused on transforming

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scientific expertise
into business leadership.

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Our goal is for graduates to be
able to effectively communicate

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the scientific benefits
of a company's products

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and transform that into a
viable business strategy.

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What makes this degree
program unique compared

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to a traditional MBA is
the business curriculum,

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which is specifically focused on
addressing the unique challenges

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and issues in the life
sciences industry.

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In addition, the degree program
takes just one year to complete.

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We think about the
business curriculum

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as really standing
on three key pillars.

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The first pillar focuses on
the core business fundamentals.

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So this is courses like
finance, operations, marketing.

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They're going to be tailored
to the life sciences industry.

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The second pillar focuses
on specialized courses

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addressing the main challenges
of the life sciences industry.

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So for example, courses
that will take you

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through the regulatory process
or the unique legal and ethical

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issues facing the life
sciences industry.

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And then the final
pillar focuses

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on experiential
learning, where students

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will have the opportunity to
engage in hands-on capstone

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programs and interface
with industry leaders.

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We're looking for students that
have the science expertise,

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but are looking for
the business knowledge

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to be able to either
pivot their current career

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or open additional opportunities
in the life sciences industry.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Learning outcomes

The biosciences business program delivers an education on the internal structures of biotech companies, the external influences on this field (such as regulatory policies), the legal and ethical considerations of leading these companies, and the professional skills to address these issues.

The curriculum surrounds three key principles:

Foundational business training

Learn to identify and analyze complex biotech business problems through the lens of any given functional area, such as accounting, operations, finance, and marketing.

Industry knowledge and connections

Gain a deeper understanding of the business of biotech while also making connections with industry leaders that will support the career ahead.

Active learning

Apply what you’re learning through hands-on projects and internships at biotech companies, pharmaceutical firms, and research institutions in Indianapolis.

Courses

The MS in the Business of Biotechnology and Life Sciences curriculum encompasses 30 credit hours offered over four quarters. Coursework addresses the skills needed to make business decisions and lead firms in this industry.

Courses include:

G524 The Value Chain (3 credits)
M501 Marketing Management (3 credits)
Z526 Leading People (1.5 credits)
A524 Accounting for Executives (3 credits)
P501 Operations Management (3 credits)
L512 Legal and Ethical Issues (3 credits)

L513 Regulatory Processes (1.5 credits)
F523 Strategic Financial Management (3 credits)
Z596 Leading Organization (1.5 credits)
X511 Seminar in Management Topics (1.5 credits)
J501 Strategy and Innovation (3 credits)
X529 Biotechnology Capstone (3 credits)

Learn from the experts

Kelley faculty members are experts of the intersection of business and biotech. Having taught MBA courses for physician and executive learners, our expert faculty are well qualified to train the next generation of biotech leaders.

Learn more about this new master's degree program at an upcoming information session online or in person.

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Questions?

If you have questions about applying for the MS in the Business of Biotech and Life Sciences, contact us at kbizbio@iu.edu.