Training Program for the MS/MBA

at the University of Florida

In response to the growing number of businesses engaged in the sophisticated biotechnological sciences, the University of Florida offers a joint MBA/MS Program. Sponsored by the Florida MBA Program and the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology in the College of Medicine, in cooperation with the Biotechnology Program, the program culminates in both Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science degrees. In addition, the student will gain work experience in a biotechnology laboratory and/or the biomedical industry.

Both degrees can be obtained in three years. The joint program requires one full year of business courses, one full year of science courses and a year devoted to research and electives in business and science. The research is presented in the form of a thesis.

The program is designed specifically for those individuals who wish to have a career in the biomedical industry as either researchers or administrators. Research can be done in the College of Medicine. Specialization may be in molecular genetics, bacterial pathogenesis, virology, mammalian genetics, gene therapy, or any area of current research in the College. Some of the research could be completed in the first or second summer. Many electives in biochemistry, general medical sciences, agriculture, and statistics are available.

Student program

Students begin their laboratory experience with a 6-week intensive course in laboratory techniques, then immediately , with the help of the Director of Master's Programs, identify and begin work with a mentor of their choice. By the end of the first year the student should be able to define a thesis project and know the techniques necessary to complete it. In some cases research may be completed by the end of the first summer.

Training during the first year also includes lecture courses and the biotechnology seminar. The seminar provides an in-depth and current perspective on a variety of biotechnological problems whose solutions are of interest to the business world and is the cement which holds the two aspects of the MS/MBA program together. The students hear talks by workers in the field and are also encouraged to define problems that could be solved by a combination of research and commercial promotion.

The content of the lecture courses is intended to address a critical need for a strong foundation in molecular and cell biology, and to provide an advanced level curriculum in the specialty disciplines represented in the College. Both the seminars and the lecture courses provide preparation for Master's research which should be well underway by the end of the second semester. Ideally, students will continue their research during the summer.

An appropriate Master's thesis project should involve learning a technique, using the technique independently in a research project, and analyzing and reporting the results. Examples of appropriate projects would include sequencing and analyzing a gene, making and using a monoclonal antibody, creating and testing ribozymes, purifying and partially characterizing a protein, or expressing a recombinant protein. There are many others that would be appropriate. It has been decided that, in some cases, negative results would be satisfactory as long as they were adequately explained. Upon completion of the laboratory research, the student writes and defends a thesis based on the research. The student should plan to have the thesis finished and presented to the committee well in advance of the anticipated graduation date.

The second year is devoted to courses in the College of Business Administration, in addition to attendance at the Biotechnology seminar. Some students also continue to do research during this year. It is unrealistic for those desiring an MS/MBA to consider finishing in three years unless summer research is performed. The third year is devoted to finishing the MBA requirements and to thesis research. More information is available at the College of Business on the dual-degree program.

Degree Requirements

The MS/MBA requires a total of 68 credit hours; 48 hours for the MBA (of which 12 may be in medical science courses) and 38 for the MS (of which 6 must be research and 6 may be business courses). There is a limit of ten hours of Research in Medical Sciences (GMS 6905). The student must register for a minimum of 3 hours of Master's Research (GMS 6971) and may register for up to 6 hours of Master's research. Three hours of this must be taken during the semester the student plans to graduate. If students have taken six hours of GMS 6971 before the semester they graduate, they must still register for three the semester they graduate (however, these will not count towards the degree).