Science Master's Program: Integrating Regulatory Affairs in Bioscience and Biomedical Physics: A Scalable, Replicable Model Addressing Current and Emerging Workforce Needs

San Diego State University Foundation, San Diego CA

Investigators

Abstract

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This Science Masters Program (SMP) award develops bioscience professionals trained in Regulatory Affairs (RA) at four California State University (CSU) campuses. It will build on and broaden current Bioscience programs through a highly efficient design delivering new RA training online with courses drawn from a well-respected M.S. program. It will result in new RA specializations in five Bioscience programs: biostatistics, biotechnology, computational sciences, environmental biotechnology, and biomedical physics. These areas are in high demand in the growing bioscience and biotechnology industries and fill significant workforce needs of industry and government employers in high growth sectors in the state. The program has unique educational aspects: an integrated RA emphasis and an infrastructure that supports course sharing and promotes interdisciplinary research projects in the five Bioscience programs. The project will broaden the participation of talented US citizens in biology, biotechnology and the physical science master's programs. Focus will also be directed to include more underrepresented students and veterans through comprehensive recruitment strategies, a pipeline design involving early industry internships for minority students, and student support. The project will enhance the infrastructure for masters education and research, including industry facilities and instrumentation, through the strong collaboration with corporate partners.