It is a multidisciplinary program involving faculty members from different academic departments in Penn State University as well as ad hoc mentors from the academic faculty and from industry.

The Master of Biotechnology curriculum is designed to give students broad knowledge and training in the scientific and practical aspects of biotechnology. It involves innovative, hands-on, and multidisciplinary learning approaches to educate and train students in the science behind biotechnology, its business and legal aspects, and the ethical and social issues that it brings about. In addition, the courses and the activities required of all students in this program develop transferable professional skills such as team-working and communication skills, which are very important in industry in particular.

Graduates of this program are expected to have the knowledge and training for diverse career options: as academic educators, as scientists in both academic and industry settings, as members of decision-making business and management teams in government and biotechnology industries, as bioentrepreneurs, and as members and leaders of governmental, public, and private organizations that deal with social, ethical and legal issues in biotechnology. Because of their broad knowledge in biotechnology, graduates of this program are expected to fill a niche in industry where knowledge and ability to interphase and communicate with various functional groups within the organization are required.