M.S. in Applied Life Sciences

Program Overview

The M.S. in Applied Life Sciences at KGI is a 48-credit, two-year full-time program that combines rigorous graduate-level coursework with a significant year-long research thesis project or a Team Master's Project. Students complete 15.0 credits of Core Science/Professional Development courses and 33.0 credits of electives. The program offers eight distinct concentrations, allowing students to specialize their studies and gain in-depth knowledge in areas such as Translational Research, Clinical Research, Public Health Research, Community Medicine Research, Infectious Diseases Research, Bioprocessing Research, and Regulatory Affairs Research. This structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of the drug development process from molecular biology to commercialization, preparing graduates for diverse roles in the life sciences industry.

Curriculum: The 48-credit curriculum for the M.S. in Applied Life Sciences at KGI is divided into core science and professional development courses and specialized electives. Core courses typically include foundational science such as "Molecular Biotechnology," "Molecular Basis of Disease," "Pharmaceutical Discovery," "Pharmaceutical Development," "Advanced Biotechnology," and "Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine." Professional development aspects are addressed through courses like "Professional Skills Development" and "Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Ethics." The program then branches into various concentrations, each requiring specific courses and a substantial capstone project or Master's Research Thesis (12.0 or 6.0 credits). For example, the Translational Research concentration might include courses like "Applied Medicine," while Clinical Research could involve "Medical Harm Reduction." Bioprocessing Research may include courses like "Introduction to Bioprocessing" and "Bioseparations Engineering." This diverse curriculum ensures that students gain both broad foundational knowledge and deep expertise in their chosen applied life sciences specialization.

Research Focus: The M.S. in Applied Life Sciences at KGI has a strong and explicit research focus, centering on the translation of scientific discoveries into products and processes that benefit society. The program requires students to complete a year-long biomedical or clinical research project, often culminating in a Master's Research Thesis (12.0 or 6.0 credits, depending on the concentration). This hands-on research component is integral to the curriculum, requiring significant weekly dedication to the project. KGI's overall mission emphasizes translating the power and potential of the life sciences into practice. The institute has even received a Carnegie Classification for research activity, recognizing the high level of innovative research conducted by faculty and students across various disciplines within biotechnology and healthcare. This robust research environment, combined with applied coursework, prepares graduates to conduct hypothesis-driven research, evaluate methodologies, analyze data, and contribute to real-world discoveries.

Industry Engagement: Keck Graduate Institute demonstrates exceptional industry engagement within its M.S. in Applied Life Sciences program, aligning its curriculum directly with the needs of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. The program's mission is explicitly about preparing graduates to "translate scientific discoveries into products and processes that benefit society," which is a direct industry need. Faculty often bring "real-world experience" into the classroom. Furthermore, the program offers a Team Master's Project (TMP) option as a concentration, where students work on real-life, company-sponsored projects, providing invaluable practical experience and direct interaction with industry leaders. KGI's Office of Research, Innovation, and Strategic Engagement (RISE) actively fosters research opportunities and partnerships with industry, further cementing these connections and ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant to current industry challenges and innovations.

Global Perspective: The M.S. in Applied Life Sciences at Keck Graduate Institute inherently incorporates a global perspective by focusing on innovations and solutions within the life sciences that have a worldwide impact. The program aims to "advance innovation in life sciences, improve healthcare delivery, and enhance health outcomes, particularly in underserved populations," which are challenges with significant global implications. While a specific "Global Health" or "International Life Sciences" course might be an elective depending on the concentration, the very nature of pharmaceutical discovery, clinical research, infectious diseases, and public health necessitates a global understanding. Many of these areas involve international collaborations, global regulatory considerations, and addressing health disparities across different countries. KGI's commitment to translating discoveries into products useful to the "world at large" signifies an intrinsic global outlook in its applied life sciences education.