Curriculum overview

The Biomanufacturing Project Management Planned Workforce Development Training offers a blend of project management, and biotechnology and biomanufacturing training designed to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge in both fields. The curriculum is divided into two core courses and two elective tracks for each discipline, allowing participants to tailor their learning experience to their career goals.

In addition to the coursework, students will participate in on-site training and complete an industry-informed capstone project and an internship to gain practical, hands-on experience.

Project Management Curriculum Overview

PM 500: Fundamentals of Project Management Core Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Chou-Yu (Joey) Tsai	PM 500 introduces key project management principles and tools to equip participants with the ability to plan, execute and monitor large-scale projects. Covering both traditional (Waterfall) and Agile frameworks, students gain skills in managing timelines, resources, and quality standards. Practical applications include creating Gantt charts, developing work breakdown structures and using project management software to handle real-world challenges in cross-functional teams, budgeting and adapting to dynamic environments.
PM 510: Leadership Skills in a Digital World Core Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the certificate program Instructor: Shelley Dionne	PM 510 is focused on leadership and innovation within virtual team settings, developing skills essential for fostering teamwork, communication and decision-making in digital environments. Through team-building exercises, feedback sessions and case studies, students learn strategies to manage remote teams, resolve conflicts and lead collaboratively. This course emphasizes the unique challenges of virtual teamwork, preparing students to build high-performing and inclusive teams in today’s interconnected workspaces.
PM 520: Management of Strategic Human Capital Elective Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Shelley Dionne	PM 520 explores the processes that turn individual talents into organizational assets. Focusing on strategic leadership behaviors, students learn to cultivate a productive workforce by managing human capital development, creating supportive social environments and overcoming leadership barriers. Topics include behavior, cognitive skills and affective leadership strategies for maximizing team engagement and effectiveness, especially in global, virtual and evolving work contexts.
PM 530: Data Science for Project Management Elective Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Chou-Yu (Joey) Tsai	PM 530 equips project managers with data science skills to enhance decision-making, resource optimization and performance tracking. Through hands-on practice, students will learn to define key performance indicators (KPIs), apply statistical methods, use predictive modeling and create data visualizations. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications, allowing students to harness data to manage project timelines, costs and scope, ultimately improving project outcomes.
PM 540: Introduction to Product Management Elective Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Chou-Yu (Joey) Tsai	PM 540 provides a comprehensive overview of product management fundamentals, guiding students through the entire product lifecycle — from ideation and user-centered design to product launch and iteration. Emphasizing customer insights and effective feedback management, the course teaches students to create intuitive, impactful products that address real customer needs. Students will learn to develop and communicate product roadmaps that align with business goals and gain strategies for ensuring long-term product-market fit, positioning them to lead products to sustained success in competitive markets.
PM 550: Creativity Process and Innovation Implementation Elective Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Shelley Dionne	PM 550 emphasizes creative problem-solving and innovation leadership, teaching students to identify meaningful problems and drive novel solutions within organizations. With a focus on transformational leadership, students learn how to foster intellectual curiosity and cultivate a team environment that values experimentation and learning. By understanding the dynamics of feedback, iteration and adaptive strategies, students gain skills to lead innovation and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic business landscape.

Biomanufacturing Curriculum Overview

BME 500: Bioprocess and Biomanufacturing Core Course Course Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Kaiming Ye	BME 550 provides an integrative, hands-on project management experience within the biomanufacturing field. This capstone course challenges students to design solutions to real-world biomanufacturing issues, from initial concept through implementation and evaluation. In addition to developing project management skills, students participate in a one-week onsite training at an industry-like green chemistry facility, gaining experience with sustainable biomanufacturing practices. Deliverables include a comprehensive project report, on-site training reflections and an oral presentation, preparing students for leadership roles in sustainable biomanufacturing.
BME 510: Biomolecular Engineering for Biomanufacturing Core Course Course  Prerequisites: In good standing in the program Instructor: Sha Jin	BME 510 provides an in-depth exploration of sustainable biomolecule production, such as medicines and polymers, through advanced biotechnologies. The course covers genetic engineering, synthetic biology, genome editing and metabolic pathway analysis, focusing on applications in bioreactor systems. Through case studies and projects, students gain practical skills in optimizing biomanufacturing processes and explore the role of AI in process monitoring and production innovation.
BME 521: Biomanufacturing for Green Chemistry Elective Course Course  Prerequisites: BME 500 Instructor: Sha Jin	BME 521 introduces key principles of green chemistry and environmentally conscious biomanufacturing practices. Students learn sustainable biomanufacturing methods, focusing on minimizing toxicity and waste, eco-friendly process design, renewable resources and recycling. Topics include biocatalysis, alternative solvents, bioprocess metrics and environmental economics, equipping students to design biomanufacturing processes with reduced environmental impact.
BME 530: Sustainable Bioprocess Design & Scale-up Elective Course Course  Prerequisites: BME 500 and BME 510 Instructor: Sha Jin	BME 530 focuses on the design and scale-up of bioprocesses for sustainable production. Students learn bioreaction engineering principles and explore advanced technologies for eco-friendly production of industrial goods. Topics include strain design, fermentation, metabolic engineering and industrial-scale challenges in sustainable biomanufacturing. This course equips students to address environmental impacts and achieve net-zero goals through innovative bioprocess design and scale-up.
BME 540: AI and Biomanufacturing Data and Statistical Analysis Elective Course Course  Prerequisites: BME 500 and BME 510 Instructor: Kaiming Ye	BME 540 offers an in-depth exploration of AI, data science and statistical methods as applied in biomanufacturing. Students learn foundational AI concepts, machine learning for biomanufacturing automation and data preparation techniques, while also developing proficiency in biostatistical analysis through real-world biotech case studies. Topics include intelligent biosystems, bioprocess automation and statistical modeling, equipping students with the skills to analyze and optimize biomanufacturing processes for efficiency and sustainability.
BME 550: Biomanufacturing Project Management Capstone Design Core Course/Project Course  Prerequisites: BME 500, BME 510, PM 500, and PM 510 Instructor: Kaiming Ye	BME 550 provides an integrative, hands-on project management experience in biomanufacturing. This capstone course challenges students to design and implement solutions to real-world biomanufacturing issues, from concept to evaluation. Alongside building project management skills, students gain direct experience in sustainable practices through a one-week onsite training at the National Corn to Ethanol Institute’s green chemistry facility. Deliverables include a comprehensive project report, onsite training reflections and an oral presentation, equipping students for leadership roles in sustainable biomanufacturing.

Practical Experience

On-Site Training

Participants will spend a week at the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) for hands-on training in green chemistry biomanufacturing. This immersive experience includes:

• Operating industrial-scale bioreactors
• Fermentation techniques and process optimization
• Real-world exposure to sustainable biomanufacturing practices

Industry-Informed Capstone Project

Work in teams to solve real-world problems posed by industry partners. Over 1.5 months, participants will:

• Develop and present project solutions
• Apply skills gained from coursework to industry challenges
• Collaborate with mentors from leading biomanufacturing companies

Industry Internship

Gain practical, real-world experience by completing an internship with one of our industry partners. This critical component allows participants to:

• Apply learned skills in a real-world setting
• Work on innovative projects
• Build industry connections and gain valuable work experience

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Program Length and Commitment

• Duration: 6 months
• Format: Online, asynchronous courses with a week-long on-site training
• Workload: 20 hours per course, with a combination of lectures, assignments, quizzes and exams