As the field of biotechnology continues to grow, so too does the need for business leaders who speak science, and scientists who are exceptional leaders. The MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences program is the first of its kind to address the unique intersection of science, strategy, finance, ethics, and people. Boston’s position as America’s hub for biotechnology allows the program to leverage this vibrant ecosystem to develop students into effective life sciences leaders.

The MS/MBA Biotech program is part of a larger community of health care interested students, faculty and alumni at HBS; around the University; and in the greater Boston area, which is one of the largest biotech clusters in the world. Through courses like the Life Sciences, Ethics, and Management seminar, students interact with industry leaders, who discuss challenges they have faced in their various roles.

Key organizations comprising the health and life science community at Harvard include:

• HBS Health Care Initiative (HCI) – The Initiative fosters and promotes faculty research, supports the development of high-impact educational programs and creates an interconnected HBS health care community.
• HBS Blavatnik Fellowship in Life Science Entrepreneurship - The Fellowship offers HBS alumni and Harvard-affiliated postdocs the opportunity to create new ventures around promising life science technologies while developing their leadership talents.
• Harvard Biotech Club – This student organization is on a mission to bridge the gap between industry and academia and provide the education, skills, and network for students to become future leaders in biotech.
• HBS Health Care Club (HCC) – One of the largest student clubs at HBS, the HCC plans an annual conference and numerous networking events for students interested in all industries in this sector.
• Harvard Health Innovation Network (HHIN) – HHIN’s mission is to promote health care innovation and entrepreneurship across the Harvard ecosystem including its schools and hospitals.
• Harvard i-Lab and Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab – Harvard i-Labs are part of an innovation ecosystem that exists to support Harvard students and select alumni in their quest to explore the world of game-changing entrepreneurship.
• HBS Health Alumni Association (HBS HAA) – The equivalent of the HCC, but for alumni, the HBS HAA has regional programing around the world to help alums stay connected with the school and each other.

Prospective students should be fascinated by the intersection of biotech, pharma, and business. Successful candidates for the program will hold an undergraduate degree in biology (or another life science) and/or have significant workplace experience in biotechnology or life sciences. Candidates with advanced degrees such as an MS, MD, or PhD are warmly welcomed to apply.

If you are unsure whether your background has prepared you sufficiently, consider your familiarity with the topics covered in Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts et al. Students are expected to be knowledgeable with that level of material. Additionally, students should be comfortable engaging with primary scientific literature.

Students, even those with advanced degrees (MD or PhD), will encounter a breadth and depth of science and medicine they have not had in their undergraduate and graduate training. The faculty comprise fundamental scientists and and clinicians, many with experience in founding or running biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, who go deep into the specifics of fundamental papers and clinical trials, and thereby provide students with approaches, background, and tools that they can bring in their subsequent careers in drug discovery and in the evaluation of biotechnology investments. Currently, these approaches are learned only by years of apprenticeship in biotechnology or venture capital.

There are two important things to keep in mind with the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences application:

• It is a single application hosted by HBS. There is one additional essay and letter of recommendation requirement.
• Applying for the MS/MBA does not impact your application to the regular MBA program.

For a full description of the admissions process, please visit: Admissions & Financial Aid.

How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (Recommended Length: 400 words)

MS/MBA students are full participants in the RC experience. The cohort is spread out across the 10 HBS sections. Many of the MS/MBA students serve in section leadership roles and actively engage in social activities across both schools.

Current students attest that being a member of two Harvard communities has been an additive experience. In addition to their HBS sections, MS/MBA students have found being a part of a smaller core group of classmates with similar interests and a shared joint degree experience to be one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

Students are prepared for a wide range of career paths such as leading existing companies and/or launching new biotech companies, working in the areas of venture capital, private equity, policy development, regulatory affairs, consulting, or advising. Conversations inside and outside the classroom have the potential to spark an interest in an otherwise unknown area of the field or bring to light an opportunity for improvement in the current system.

Students may apply for financial aid and tuition assistance after being accepted to the MBA program. Financial resources are available during both the first and second years. Through the generosity of The Chris (MBA 1993) and Carrie Shumway Foundation, all students who matriculate in the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program are awarded an incremental $5,500 scholarship each academic year ($11,000 total). The students enrolled in the program are known as Shumway Fellows and will enjoy the support of Chris and Carrie Shumway.