Texas Woman’s University will launch a new program this fall that combines biology and business with an industry internship. This professional science master’s degree in biotechnology is only the second of its kind in Texas and one of only 39 in the United States.
Students enrolled in this new program beginning this fall will take classes in the recently completed, state-of-the-art Scientific Research Commons on the Denton, Texas, campus. Faculty members hold issued patents or patent applications and have experience as researchers for biotech companies and the National Institutes of Health.
“Our program seeks to prepare more women, as well as our highly diverse students, to successfully pursue this lucrative biotechnology career path at a time when we’re all under the grip of the COVID-19 global pandemic,” said Chancellor Carine M. Feyten. “Biotechnology applies biological processes for medical, pharmaceutical or clinical testing and research,” she added, “and our program will prepare the next generation of biotechnology professionals to treat, prevent and track future outbreaks of this magnitude.”
Stephanie Pierce, the biotechnology program director at Texas Woman’s University, said that “through our alumni and faculty networks, we’ve already formed key relationships with a number of local businesses and laboratories. These partnerships will not only provide internship and job opportunities for our students, but will expand our ability to collaborate with them on health solutions that can do a lot of good in our community.”