School of Engineering
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Certificate Program

Biotechnology Certificate

The ability to manipulate the genetic content of microbial, insect, animal, and plant cells has led to a variety of commercial applications in medicine, nutrition, materials science, and the environment. New biotechnology-derived pharmaceutical products are gaining FDA approval, and the sequencing of the human genome will lead to tremendous new opportunities in disease prevention. The biotechnology certificate program gives you the skills employers are looking for to develop today's products: biochemical process engineering principles, molecular biology practices, and state-of-the-art cloning and expression techniques.

Two certificate program tracks are available. Both tracks require four courses.

Science Track: emphasizes molecular biology practices, and state-of-the-art cloning and expression techniques

  1. Two core courses from the following:
    • CHBE 161: Biochemical Separations (3 credits)
    • CHBE 162: Molecular Biotechnology (3 credits)
    • BME 164: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
    • CHBE 166: Principles of Cell and Microbe Cultivation (3 credits)
    • CHEM 171/172: Biochemistry (4 credits)
    • BIO 105: Molecular Biology (3 credits)
    • BIO 152: Biochemistry and Cellular Metabolism (3 credits)
    • BIO 153: Topics in Biochemistry
  2. One laboratory course:
    • BME 175: Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory (3 credits)
    • CHBE 163: Recombinant DNA Techniques (3 credits)
    • CHBE 168: Biotechnology Projects Laboratory (3 credits)
  3. One approved elective course in biology, chemistry, or chemical and biological engineering

Engineering Track: emphasizes biochemical process, engineering principles, and state-of-the-art biotechnology production techniques

  1. Two core courses:
    • CHBE 161: Biochemical Separations (3 credits)
    • CHBE 166: Principles of Cell and Microbe Cultivation (3 credits)
  2. One laboratory course from the following:
    • CHBE 163: Recombinant DNA Techniques (3 credits)
    • CHBE 168: Biotechnology Processing Projects Laboratory (3 credits)
  3. One approved elective course in biology, chemistry, or chemical engineering

This certificate is offered in collaboration with the Tufts Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Tufts Tissue Engineering Resource Center.

For further information, contact:
Certificate Faculty Advisor:

  • Emmanuel Tzanakakis: 617-627-0831

Course numbers/titles are subject to change. View course descriptions