Therapeutics Discovery Area of Emphasis approved for life sciences master’s degree

The UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has developed a new Area of Emphasis in Therapeutics Discovery under the major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (M.S., Non-Thesis) as a paradigm for increased partnerships between the University of Georgia and the biotechnology industry. The new program will launch in fall 2026 and is expected to establish UGA as a leader in preparing students for careers in biotechnology and therapeutics discovery. This program will also launch with Double Dawg option as well.   

A defining feature of the area of emphasis will be a summer internship with a company in the field, building critical career connections as well as relevant scientific and professional skills. The faculty anticipate forming partnerships with private industry to provide students with paid internships in the Athens area, within Georgia, and throughout the country. 

The faculty are currently expanding connections between the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and potential partner companies to support these internships. 

“The need for this curriculum is evident from the growing bioeconomy and the increase in private biotechnology investment in the state of Georgia,” said Adam Barb, professor and head of the department of biochemistry and molecular biology. “We anticipate this program will provide essential training beyond the four-year undergraduate programs in the life sciences to meet the needs of these companies. Indeed, corporate outreach has been a major component of developing this program; we have designed the curriculum to focus on skills these companies value most.” 

An additional important feature of the program will be coursework in organizational leadership, project management, and communication in addition to specific theoretical and laboratory-based scientific training. 

“Our undergraduate programs in the life sciences, including Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Marine Sciences, and Plant biology, provide students a rich scientific background with a focus on concepts and problem solving to succeed in private industry,” said Paula Lemons, senior associate dean in the Franklin College. “The new Area of Emphasis will add industry specific preparation in organizational leadership, project management, how biotechnology companies are organized and operate, along with basic scientific training in drug discovery.”