
Overview
The Biology Department is at the forefront of biotechnology, offering students an opportunity to study the technologies and products that improve our lives and the health of our planet. Students who are interested in biotechnology can prepare for careers in combating disease, reducing our environmental footprint, feeding the hungry, creating clean energy and more of society’s most pressing challenges.
Life Sciences forecast for Massachusetts Biotechnology sector: 2023 and beyond
- 12,000 new jobs are forecast to be created between May 2017 and May 2023.
- 83% of life sciences companies reported plans to expand their headcount in the next 12 months
- Skills and knowledge learned align with those desired by Massachusetts biotechnology companies
Data from MassBioEd
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12,000+
New Jobs Forecasted
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INTERNSHIP
REQUIRED
Requirements
Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate a comprehension of the following core concepts from the molecular to ecosystem level:
- Evolution: Change over time and mechanisms involved
- Structure and function: How the shape of something affects performance
- Energy transformation: Energy capture, use and transfer
- Information flow: Transmission and interpretation of biological information
- Systems: Interaction and organization of components

Internship/Job Shadow Opportunities
The Biotechnology Concentration requires an internship. Potential internship sites are available through the Massachusetts Life Center Internship Challenge including these additional internship sites:
- Microbiotix, Inc.
- Cellmosaic
- Celltreat Scientific Products
- Iomics Intelligent Analytics
Baystate Hospital has served as a previous internship site.
Still have questions?
Biology Department, Chair
David Christensen, Ph.D.
dchristensen@westfield.ma.edu
Kristen Porter, Ph.D.
kporter@westfield.ma.edu