<p>Hi, I'm a genetics and molecular biology major at Northwestern.
And until recently I've thought about getting a masters in biotechnology or bioengineering, but I've been having some second thoughts about this especially because I've been told a masters hardly does you any good without a PhD. And even with a PhD in the field, that finding a job can be very hard.</p>
<p>So I was wondering, have you known people who've held a masters in something like biotechnology, and do you know anything about job prospects in this field?</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate any type of input. Thanks.</p>
<p>Maybe it's just here (biotech is huge in metro Boston), but there are jobs of biotech/pharma companies around. Here's a description of some of the available careers and what qualifications they require. Note that there are some solid ones that just require a master's.</p>
<p>This might be a stupid question but when they say BS/MS are they specifically asking for a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science.
I'm pretty sure at Northwestern us bio majors receive a Bachelor of Arts. Will a Master of Arts/Liberal Arts not meet the requirement if it says BS/MS?</p>
<p>My guess is that while they would prefer BS/MS, they are not going to take you out of consideration for BA/MA as long as you have the background they want.</p>
<p>Biotech seems to be localized in certain areas of the country. Boston, San Diego, San Francisco are some of the big ones. In our area (San Diego), there are some big companies and lots of small biotech companies.</p>
<p>As for a masters, it'll only take you so far in the bioscience world. A PhD is where it's at to get ahead.</p>
<p>There's a difference between biotech in general and bioengineering. A Master's in general biotech is not enough to get you very far in industrial research, but a Master's in bioengineering could get you started in industrial engineering, where right now the need is greater and the supply is lower. Talk to some chemcial or bio-engineers at biotech or pharmaceutical companies in your area.</p>
<p>dadofsam is on the right track. The value of such a degree depends on what it trains you for. Research is PhD land. Manufacturing is engineering land. QA and QC are a bit in between.</p>
<p>In theory, a MA in bioengineering might be useful as a lead to manufacturing, but keep in mind that you would be competing with folks who pursued ChemEs with a pharmaceutical focus. Worse, you may be competing with folks who have pharma biologics mfg experience who were laid off....</p>
<p>The problem with things labeled "biotech" is that they have a trendiness that may not be consistent with reality.</p>
<p>You can also talk to William Miller in the ChemE department. He heads the master of biotech program. You can ask him about the job placement.</p>
<p>As for BS/MS, your master is gonna be a MS (assuming you are doing a biotech/bioengineering program). So you are gonna have BA/MS. A lot of colleges have chemistry degree as BA instead of BS. Some schools may have BA and BS with BA taking more language courses than their BS or with BS taking couple more advanced science courses. Given this, I don't think they care whether it is BA or BS.</p>