“The Professional Science
Master's (PSM)
is an innovative, new graduate degree designed to allow students to
pursue advanced training in science or mathematics, while
simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by
employers. PSM programs consist of two years of academic training
in an emerging or interdisciplinary area, along with a professional
component that may include internships and "cross-training" in
workplace skills, such as business, communications, and regulatory
affairs. All have been developed in concert with employers and are
designed to dovetail into present and future professional career
opportunities.”
The M.S. in Biological and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology was
developed as a Professional Science Master’s degree program with
funding in the form two grants from the Sloan Foundation through
the Council of Graduate Schools in 2003. The degree program
was approved by the New York State Department of Education in May,
2006 and the first class was admitted in January, 2007.
“The National Professional
Science Master's Association (NPSMA) is a collaborative of
Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree program directors,
faculty, administrators, alumni, and students that supports PSM
degree initiatives. It engages businesses, industries, nonprofit
organizations, government agencies, and trade associations in the
development of PSM degree programs and with internship and job
placement for PSM degree students and graduates.”
St. John’s University Institute for Biotechnology, its students and
alumni are members of the National Professional Science Master’s
Association. Students and alumni benefit from networking with
their counterparts in other Professional Science Master’s programs
around the country. The NPSMA also facilitates internship and
job placement for its members.
“The New York Biotechnology
Association (NYBA) is a
not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the development and
growth of New York State based biotechnology related industries and
institutions, and to strengthening the competitiveness of New York
State as a premier global location for biotechnology/biomedical
research, education and industry.”
St. John’s University Institute for Biotechnology has been a member
of NYBA since 2003 and has been a sponsor of the NYBA Annual
Meeting since that time. At the 18th Annual meeting in
April 2009, Dr. Diana Bartelt, Director of the Institute,
chaired a panel entitled “Employee Development Program Alliances
with Academia: The Hidden Benefits.”
“TheLong
Island Life Sciences Initiative(LILSI) has as its mission to
attract, retain and develop life sciences companies in the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, nutriceutical and
personal care sectors on Long Island by providing business
development, strategic networking, and educational opportunities to
enhance corporate competitiveness, productivity, efficiency and
profitability.”
St. John’s Institute for Biotechnology has been a sponsor of the
Long Island Life Sciences Initiative Annual Summit Meetings since
2003. Students in the M.S. in Biological and Pharmaceutical
Biotechnology degree program have served as volunteers at the
meetings and participated in job fairs.