A Master of Bioscience Enterprise (abbreviated MBE or MBioEnt) is a specialised degree taught at The University of Auckland, New Zealand and The University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The MBE is an interdisciplinary programme incorporating multiple faculties and includes significant industry involvement.

The degree is primarily focused on the commercialisation of biotechnology. Both universities have developed the MBE programme to provide specialist business and legal skills relevant to employment in the bio-economy. The context in which both programmes were developed are significantly different. These differences are reflected in internship placements, thesis topics and postgraduate employment opportunities.

University of Auckland

Inaugurated in 2006, the MBE programme was developed in partnership between the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), the Business School and the Law School.

Program Structure

The prerequisite for the first year (the Postgraduate Diploma

Postgraduate diploma

A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...

) is a Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

 with a major or specialisation in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Science, Food Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology or Physiology; a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering; a Bachelor of Pharmacy; or a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology. The Postgraduate Diploma of Bioscience Enterprise is required for entry into the Masters year.

Academic Component

There is an academic component in both the Post Graduate Diploma and Masters year.

Postgraduate Diploma Year

The Postgraduate Diploma year has five core papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Bioscience Enterprise. Students are also required to take three electives, which are generally science based papers.

SCIENT 701 (15 points)
Accounting and Finance for Scientists

SCIENT 702 (15 points)
Marketing for Scientific and Technical Personnel

SCIENT 703 (15 points)
Frontiers in Biotechnology

SCIENT 704 (15 points)
Law and Intellectual Property

SCIENT 705 (15 points)
Research Commercialisation

SCIENT 706 (15 Points)
Commercialisation Project


Masters Year

SCIENT 720 (15 Points)
Science Enterprise Research Methods

SCIENT 721 (15 points)
Product Development and Regulatory Environments

SCIENT 722 (15 points)
Current Issues in Bioscience Enterprise


Thesis

SCIENT 794 A & B(90 points)

The thesis component requires students to undertake a research project within an industry organisation. Topics vary and have included a wide variety of areas.

Industry Component

In the Masters year (year two), students undertake an internship within the biotechnology industry either in New Zealand or internationally for six months. During the internships, students complete a project for the company which generally relates to and influences the thesis topic, which is written during the internship period.

Past and Present Internship Companies

• Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers ....

, Germany
• Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....

, Australia
• Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
• Syngenta

Syngenta

Syngenta AG is a large global Swiss agribusiness company which notably markets seeds and pesticides. Syngenta is involved in biotechnology and genomic research. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in total sales in the commercial agricultural seeds market. Sales in 2010 were...

, Switzerland
• Cawthron Institute, Nelson, NZ
• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
• Neuren
• CoDa Therapeutics
• KODE Biotech
• HortResearch

HortResearch

HortResearch was a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand. The focus of research in this company was mainly in the development of new fruit varieties and other food products...

• Scion
• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the government of New Zealand's official economic development agency. It works to stimulate growth, boost export earnings, strengthen regional economies, and deliver economic development assistance to industries and individual businesses...

• Ministry of Research, Science and Technology

Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (New Zealand)

The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology was a government agency within the New Zealand government.Its main responsibilities were to:* Manage the Government's research, science and technology investment...

• Cranleigh Merchant Bankers
• NZBIO
• UniServices
• DB Breweries

DB Breweries

DB Breweries is a Singaporean and Dutch brewing company operating in New Zealand. It was founded in 1930 by Sir Henry Kelliher and W Joseph Coutts with the purchase of Levers and Co. and the Waitemata Brewery Co. in Otahuhu. The company mainly produces pale lager...

• Biomatters
• Pacific Channel
• Lanzatech
• Watercare Auckland
• Encoate
• Industrial Research Limited

Industrial Research Limited

Industrial Research Limited is a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand. IRL provides research, development and commercialisation services aim at fostering industry development, economic growth and business expansion...

• Synergenz
• BioPacificVentures
• Plant & Food Research
• Pulsecor

Continued Industry Support

The programme continues to grow industry support. NZTE considers the strong relationship with the MBE programme as a critical part of building the Auckland region as a centre of biotech excellence, innovation, and business expertise. Companies are intimately involved in content delivery, with both Baldwins and AJ Park lecturing Law and Intellectual Property. Guest lecturers are frequently used from local and international biotechnology organisations.

Awards

Two awards are given annually. The Baldwins award is given to the top achiever in Law and Intellectual Property. The award is designed to reward excellence in IP and encourage the graduates to consider future employment in this area. The second award is given to the student with the best Masters thesis.

University of Cambridge

Founded in 2002,the MBE course is delivered by faculty of the Institute of Biotechnology and Judge Business School.

Academic Component

Students’ progress is continuously assessed, and feedback and marks from each module are provided to the students throughout the programme. There are no formal written examinations.

Industry Component

Students undertake an internship placement with a company or organisation, conducting research on a project of real commercial interest . The internship provides experience of working in a business environment as well as an opportunity to collect data as the basis for a dissertation. Students may opt, circumstances permitting, to work within multinational companies, start-ups, small to medium sized enterprises or service providers to the biotech sector, such as accounting, legal or IP practices. Normally students spend 4 – 6 weeks with a company and are encouraged to put into practise the lessons learnt from the academic aspects of the programme as well as to demonstrate original research and analysis. The dissertation is an important component of programme assessment and contributes 30% of the total marks.