Curriculum Information
The curriculum is a uniquely cross-disciplinary one drawing on the strengths of Virginia Tech’s science and technology programs and Georgetown’s basic and clinical medical research assets. Moreover, the notable business education resources of both institutions provide the student with the opportunity to acquire grounding in the financial and marketing elements of product development. Most courses, even the core basic science courses have been designed specifically for the program. The advanced courses are generally integrated with respect to upper level scientific or engineering topics, clinical approaches, and regulatory issues. The degree program is designed to accommodate fully employed students, and spans a period of five semesters. Students attend classes two nights a week at the Virginia Tech Falls Church, Virginia campus and the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The curriculum consists of core courses and one of two concentration tracks: the Science of Discovery and Product Development track, or the Business of Discovery and Product Development track. The core curriculum spans the first three semesters (Fall, 14 weeks; Spring, 14 weeks; Summer, 6 weeks); the final two semesters (Fall and Spring) are committed to the concentration tracks. Students participate in the Team Assessment Project as part of the concentration track curriculum. For this, students work in teams of two or more, each track being represented on the team. The team evaluates, in depth, the scientific, regulatory, and business profile of a product marketed by an assigned company.
Core Curriculum
(14 credit hours)Each student’s core curriculum is, in part, based on prior educational background and related experience.
- Principles of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics (1)
- Pharmacogenomics (1)
- Principles of Immunology (2)
- Principles of Molecular Biotechnology (2)
- Preclinical Product Evaluation (1)
- Accounting Fundamentals (2)
- Managing Information for Executive Decision Making (2)
- Ethical Issues in Scientific Research (1)
- Legal and Ethical Issues in High Technology Environments (2)
- Biomaterials (2)
- Manufacturing Processes (2)
Concentration Tracks:
(16 credit hours)Science of Discovery and Product Development Track
- Drug Discovery and Product Development (2)
- Medical and Diagnostic Device Design (2)
- Biologicals Discovery and Development (2)
- Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials (1)
- Drug, Device and Biologicals Regulation (1)
- Computational Biology (2)
- Team Assessment Project (6)
Business of Discovery and Product Development Track
- Program Management and Project Leadership (2)
- Modeling Decision Making for Competitive Advantage (2)
- Drug, Device and Biologicals Regulation (1)
- Principles of Financial Management (2)
- Leadership and Innovation in a Technology Environment (2)
- Seminar in Current Business Issues (1)
- Team Assessment Project (6)
