Master's Degree in Bioinnovation

Bioinnovation refers to the development and progression of clinically relevant biomedical technologies from the lab to the marketplace. It is the process of taking a promising scientific discovery and moving it through development, regulatory approval, commercialization, and clinical use.

Most biomedical engineers are trained to work within one stage of that process, typically research or manufacturing. Bioinnovation training prepares you to understand and navigate the full lifecycle of a technology. That means knowing not just how to build something, but how to evaluate its commercial potential, meet regulatory requirements, and bring it to the people who need it.

Tulane’s MS in Bioinnovation is built around this concept. The program combines engineering and biology with entrepreneurship, finance, and regulatory strategy so graduates can work across the commercialization pipeline, not just within it.

Meeting Market Demand: The MS in Bioinnovation is uniquely crafted to address the increasing need for specialized education in biotechnology commercialization. It is designed to prepare students for the dynamic and ever-evolving demands of the biotech industry. 

Built on Proven Success: Building on the success of our PhD Program in Bioinnovation, this master’s program continues Tulane's tradition of excellence in training the next generation of innovators. 

Regional Impact: By fostering a talent pipeline, this program supports the growth and sustainability of the biotechnology sector in the region, contributing to the local economy and the advancement of science and technology. 

Synergy with Tulane Innovation Institute: The program aligns with the goals of the newly formed Tulane Innovation Institute, offering students unparalleled resources and opportunities to bring their ideas to life.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Our program offers comprehensive training in advanced biology (e.g., Molecular Biology, Genomics, Microbiology, Anatomy, Organ Physiology), cutting-edge technology (e.g., Design Principles, Biomaterials, Signals & Systems, Biomedical Imaging, Data Science), and essential business skills (e.g., Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship).

Regulatory Affairs Training: Gain expertise in navigating the regulatory landscape, including FDA processes, clinical trials, and testing standards.

Capstone Internship: Engage in a hands-on “Capstone” internship focused on technology commercialization. Students will work directly with a commercial entity or university faculty to tackle real-world challenges in customer discovery, market research, and more.

STEM graduates who are passionate about biotechnology and looking to transition into commercialization roles.

Professionals seeking to advance their careers or pivot into the biotechnology sector with specialized training in technology commercialization.

1. Bachelor’s of Science degree (or its equivalent) in a STEM discipline from an accredited college or university
2. GPA of 3.0 (or justification for GPA below this threshold)
3. Online application to include:
   • CV or Resume
   • Transcript(s)
   • Personal statement describing applicant’s prior qualifying experiences, motivation for entering the program, future career goals, and desire to study at Tulane
   • At least 2 letters of recommendation

International applicants must submit TOEFL scores unless they have received a degree from an English-speaking institution.

Priority Consideration Deadline is December 15. After December 15 applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline of May 1 for the Fall Semester.

Hands-On Experience in Biotechnology Commercialization: The capstone internship is a cornerstone of the MS in Bioinnovation program, providing students with invaluable real-world experience. Interns can choose to work with a commercial entity or collaborate with Tulane faculty pursuing commercialization efforts. The internship projects focus on technology commercialization, customer discovery, market research, and other relevant areas, distinctly different from traditional R&D roles.

Structured Internships: Each internship is guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the student, the sponsor, and Tulane with clearly outlined expectations and deliverables.

Pilot Program Success: Our pilot program with Bioceptive, a local startup, has already set a strong precedent, providing valuable insights and experience to our first cohort of students.

Students will receive course credit for their effort, so they will not be able to receive payment during the credited internship. If external companies desire to retain students before or after the semester in a paid role, that is their discretion.

At the end of the internship, students will deliver a final report to the sponsor and the program, showing their ability to apply classroom knowledge to practical industry challenges. The internship courses will be graded S/U, and feedback will be solicited from each sponsor toward the end of each semester in order to assign the grade.

Employers sort candidates differently depending on their degree level. A BS in biomedical engineering qualifies you for entry-level lab roles, quality assurance, and manufacturing positions. An MS qualifies you for roles that require independent judgment, project leadership, and technical depth.

That tier difference shows up in hiring. Many R&D positions, regulatory affairs roles, and technical consulting jobs list an MS as a minimum requirement, not a preference. You can have five years of industry experience and still be screened out because the job requires a graduate degree.

Salary data reflects the same gap. MS graduates enter higher pay bands at the start of their careers and reach senior-level compensation faster than BS-only graduates in comparable roles.

A common objection to pursuing a master’s degree is that work experience can substitute for it over time. In some fields, that is true. In biomedical engineering, it largely is not.

The R&D and consulting roles that pay the most and offer the most autonomy are structured around degree tiers. Companies use degree requirements as a first filter, especially in regulated industries like medical devices and pharmaceuticals where technical credentials carry legal and compliance weight.

Spending a decade building experience without the degree means competing for senior roles against candidates who have both. The degree removes that barrier at the start of your career rather than requiring you to overcome it later.

A traditional MS in biomedical engineering prepares you to go deeper into engineering and research. That is valuable, but it points you toward a specific set of roles, primarily in labs, academia, and technical engineering positions.

The MS in Bioinnovation at Tulane is built for a different outcome. The program focuses on moving biomedical technologies from research into commercial use. You learn engineering and biology alongside entrepreneurship, regulatory strategy, and market analysis.

The program includes a built-in commercialization internship where you work directly with a startup, industry partner, or faculty-developed technology. You conduct customer discovery, market research, and a full commercialization analysis, then deliver a final report that documents your applied work. Graduates leave with a project they can point to, not just coursework.

That focus opens roles that a traditional BME master’s does not. Product development and commercialization roles at biotech companies, startup founding or early-stage team positions, technology transfer and licensing roles at universities and hospitals, and venture development within healthcare organizations are all pathways that align with what the Bioinnovation MS prepares you for.

Tulane BME graduates work across the biomedical sector. Alumni go on to roles at medical device companies, biotech startups, healthcare technology firms, consulting organizations, and research institutions. The Bioinnovation program specifically attracts students interested in the commercial side of the industry, and graduates pursue paths in product development, technology licensing, and early-stage company building.

The program draws on Tulane’s connections to the New Orleans startup ecosystem and to the Tulane Innovation Institute, which means students are working with real technologies and real commercialization challenges during the program itself.

Request information about the Tulane MS in Bioinnovation or start your application today.