Emmanuel College's Graduate Programs in Biopharmaceutical Leadership Prepares Scientists for Industry Management
January 06, 2012
Scientists working in the biopharmaceutical industry require leadership and management skills that are often not part of their academic preparation. Through a rigorous curriculum, created based on focus groups of biopharmaceutical industry scientists and management experts, Emmanuel College's Graduate Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Leadership and Master of Science in Management with specialization in Biopharmaceutical Leadership respond to the unique needs of these scientists by providing opportunities to earn an academic, graduate-level credential in management skills for scientists. Below, Adjunct Faculty Member Dr. Nancy Kohl, a retired Merck scientist who now leads research projects at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses Emmanuel College's Graduate Programs in Biopharmaceutical Leadership.
How do Emmanuel College's Graduate Programs in Biopharmaceutical Leadership add value to the field?
“The biopharmaceutical leadership programs provide leadership and management skills to complement scientists’ technical skills. Most scientists are trained in an academic environment and graduate with excellent technical skills and research experience. Those choosing to work in the industry also require leadership and management skills. Emmanuel College’s Graduate Programs in Biopharmaceutical Leadership seek to fill that gap. The six-course graduate certificate is a one-year, part-time academic opportunity that addresses critical knowledge skills in leadership, management and business in the biopharmaceutical industry. For those choosing to earn the Master of Science in Management with specialization in Biopharmaceutical Leadership, students begin the five general management courses after completing six biopharmaceutical leadership cohort courses.”
How does the biopharmaceutical leadership curriculum allow students to apply concepts practically?
“All of the courses in the program make use of relevant case studies taken from the biopharmaceutical environment. This teaching process makes it easy for students to immediately apply what they learn on the job and develop skills that will advance their careers.”
How are the biopharmaceutical leadership course requirements appropriate and relevant to students?
“The first three courses in the program focus on leadership and management. The program begins by looking at individuals as leaders and progresses to examining the scientist as a team leader, supplying tools and processes for project and team management. Courses in the second half of the program build on the leadership and management content addressed in the first half and also address business topics unique to the industry, such as aligning business and science, the regulatory approval process and research in today’s global environment.”
Where and how often do classes take place?
“Each course is conducted in a 7-week accelerated format. The degree and certificate are available at Emmanuel’s main campus in Boston by attending class one night each week, or they can be completed online in an asynchronous format.”
What biopharmaceutical leadership networking opportunities are available for students?
“Emmanuel’s central location, in the heart of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area and adjacent to some of the most respected health care institutions and research centers in the world, allows the college to form strategic partnerships with leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. Students come from a variety of Boston-area pharmaceutical and biotechnology institutions, so students have the opportunity to network with fellow students from other companies. In addition, most of the program’s expert instructors have extensive experience at world-renowned biopharmaceutical institutions such as Merck, Novartis, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and AstraZeneca.”
For more information on Emmanuel's Graduate Programs in Biopharmaceutical Leadership, please attend an in-person or online informational session. RSVP now »
