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MS or PSM in Biotechnology?

By HSB 

biotechnologySome universities offer Professional Science Masters (PSM) in Biotechnology, while most of the universities offer MS in Biotechnology or Master of Biotechnology. Do you want to know which option is right for you?

Masters in Biotechnology

MS in Biotechnology offered by majority of the universities in US. Most of them will  require students to complete 1o to 12 courses. Sometimes it will include projects or thesis. Once you complete the requirements, MS in Biotechnology or Masters in Biotechnology degree will be awarded. Majority of the students don’t check the courses offered and degree requirements before applying for the admission.

PSM in Biotechnology

Biotechnology companies helped to formulate the curriculum for the PSM program. It consist of 70% Biotechnology and 30% Business related course work. For instance, if you are required to take 10 courses to get PSM degree, 7 will be Biotechnology based and 3 will be Business based courses. But, in PSM you will be required to complete 3 months internship program as part of the degree requirements.

MS or PSM – Biotechnology?

If you don’t have work experience, then go for PSM. It’s not because you can study few Management courses, but you get to work as intern for atleast 3 months. Having internship experience will help you find a job after graduation. If you have 1+ years work experience, then PSM or MS will make not big difference.  You can still apply to same job with PSM or MS degree.

Comment from NK

I have got admit from three universities in USA for MS program[biotechnology]. Which among the following universities is the best-
1]Illinois institute of technology-[FOR PSM]
2]California state university – Fresno.[FOR MS]
3]University of Houston Clear Lake[FOR MS]
Ihave been offered PSM as well, so which is a better course, PSM or MS?

Here are few pointers

  1. You should have known even before applying about PSM and MS; trying to decide after getting admission shows you haven’t done much work about job prospects and degree requirements. Its good that you are taking initiative to find the answer.
  2. There are advantages and disadvantages in all 3 schools
    • IIT @ Chicago – PSM reasons stated above will hold if you don’t have work experience; cold place to live
    • CSU – Fresno – Close to biotech companies in Silicon Valley; but expensive
    • UH – Clear Lake – Cheap, good college, but you have to search for Internship; nice and warm place
  3. You have to decide how much money you can afford, if you don’t get aid.
  4. My Choice will be UHCL – Its’ cheap compared other choice; you can put 110% effort to search for internship;

You will want to read about Biotechnology Job Search experience of recent MS Biotechnology graduate.

Image Credit – Piet Muesterd

Related posts:

  1. PSM or PhD in Biotechnology US or MBA in India?
  2. Interview With Hardeep – I think Biotechnology MS, PSM thing is stupid
  3. US Universities for Masters in Biotechnology
  4. What is the Syllabus for MS Computer Science?
  5. H1B Visa Sponsoring Consultants for Biotechnology Graduates

Comments

11 Responses to “MS or PSM in Biotechnology?”
  1. Aparna Mohan says:

    Hi,
    I have just completed my B-tech Biotech and and currently studying for my GRE exam.I would like to know if doing an M.S in biomedical sciences would be beneficial or not.Are the job prospects good enough after doing a masters in this subject?

  2. Jay Sharma says:

    Iam currently studying in 7th semester[B.Tech Biotechnology].
    I wish to apply for MS in Biotechnology course in Fall 2010!!My average academic score is around 50%!!
    My GRE score is 1160[verbal-590 and quant-570]…i plan to give my TOEFL in november…!!
    i dnt wanna go for research…!!I wish to do management studies after my masters!!wat course wud be best for me PSM or MS ??
    wat are my chances of getting admission in a good university??

    • easwaran says:

      @jay sharma
      what do you mean exactly by good university
      each university is good, depending up on your needs, and outlook
      one person taste is different from other person
      beauty lies in the beholders eyes friend
      join the premium club member and benefit
      writ to the admin of this blog for enrolling , paid member ship only
      cheers
      easwaran
      Member premium club , blissfully

  3. Devansh says:

    Hye,
    i have completed Bachlor of science in bioteechnology in india which is 3 years course.Now, can i apply for M.S. in biotech in US.?plz reply.I m preparing for GRE.

    • babu says:

      dear friends to study MS in USA, most of the universities require a 4 years degree . Remember GRE and TOFEL will help you obtaining a admition in the European countries.

      • easwaran says:

        hi Babu
        thanks for your posting
        yes US higher education needs 16 yrs of education
        in fact one is 15yrs education can get admitted in to
        community college in usa and then proceed to pg
        Europe is a general word
        my friend
        please be specific
        is it uk, Germany,Norway,Ireland
        etc
        thanks for your view

  4. radha says:

    hi,
    i have completed 3 years of bachelors degree in biotechnology from india.i would like to know wchich examinations shud i appear inorder to study in us to persue my masters in biootec.and i wud like to know the minimum number of years of education inn india to study abroad…

  5. Akshit Raj says:

    Hi,
    I have just completed my BTech in Biotechnology from India. I wanted to know whether i can apply for the spring session 2010 ? And if I can then which all good colleges have intakes for students during this session. I will be looking for both PSM or MS in biotechnology.
    Thnks !!

    • HSB says:

      Akshit – Yes, you can apply for Spring 2010 and if you subscribe to news letter, you will get an update regarding premium contents that will help with your GRE and University Selection.

  6. Akshit says:

    Hi,
    I have just completed my BTech in Biotechnology from India. I wanted to know whether i can apply for the spring session 2010 ? And if I can then which all good colleges have intakes for students during this session. I will be looking for both PSM or MS in biotechnology.

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