MS Bioprocessing Research & Development Thesis

The MS Bioprocessing Research & Development Capstone Project is intended to develop skills in bioprocessing research and development in an industry environment. This will be achieved by addressing challenges in the development of processes for the production of new and legacy biopharmaceutical therapeutics. Each project will include identifying a bioprocess industry relevant challenge, and planning and executing a research project to address that challenge. After completion of the course, the students will acquire a range of research skills.

The Capstone Research Project is major component of the master’s program in bioprocessing. It will be carried out by individual candidates to develop the research skills necessary for developing a career in Bioprocess Research & Development (BR&D) within biomanufacturing. The course will provide the underlying training in performing a literature survey (prior art) in experimental design and planning against agreed targets and deliverables including timelines, research budgets, execution of experiments, collection of and analysis of data including statistical and theoretical analysis.

Research topics will be selected jointly with research faculty in the Amgen Bioprocessing Center and an industry liaison in an area relevant to the sponsoring company. The results of the research will be presented in the form of a written report (dissertation), a poster and an article written with the intent to submit for publication.

Following completion of the Capstone project, students will have a thorough knowledge of:

The goals of the project and its significance
Conducting a critical literature review in a specific area of research
Developing a plan of research to investigate the challenges identified
Conducting the experimental work to address the main challenge
Performing data analyses, discussing results and drawing conclusions and recommendations
Communicating and disseminating the results through public presentations, posters, reports (dissertations) and articles for potential publications.