MBA in Strategic Management
in the
Life and Engineering Sciences
The MBA in Strategic Management in the Life and Engineering Sciences offers the opportunity to develop key business skills within the context of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s internationally recognized depth in the life and engineering sciences.
“Students in Strategic Management in the Life and Engineering Sciences build on their existing knowledge and experience in the science and engineering fields. The program focuses on developing the skills necessary to be a successful leader and member of the technology-oriented organizations of the future. The business and leadership skills you learn allow you to have a greater impact and make a difference in your organization and society.”
Whitney Robertson, PhD 2003, MBA 2006
Consultant, Technology Partnership Practice, Battelle
Students who are admitted to the Strategic Management in the Life and Engineering Sciences (SMILES) Program have advanced degrees in the life sciences, other basic sciences, or engineering. The SMILES curriculum builds upon their prior advanced knowledge with a combination of core business courses that are unique to the integration of technology/business/society.
Students interact with international professionals from high-impact firms. Graduates may work in businesses such as biotechnology, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, and medical device corporations. Graduates may also work in law, capital markets, accounting, or consulting roles that demand expertise in business development related to science. A specialized track within the program emphasizes leadership in contemporary agricultural fields, and extends the Agribusiness program that has received generous support from the Renk Family.
Real Results
Graduates of the SMILES Program may find employment in a variety of technology-based settings. Typical job titles include:
- Business Development Director
- Consultant
- Technology Licensing Director
- R&D Manager
- Technology Entrepreneur
- Product Market Manager
- Public Policy Advisor
Interactive Learning
- Students interact with leaders in science-based businesses who serve as guest lecturers and participate in seminars with international speakers and policy makers who shape technology development.
- Students typically complete internships during the summer between their first and second year. These internships provide students with firsthand business experience in a high-tech setting.
- Students learn about new business development processes by competing in the G. Steven Burrill Technology Business Plan Competition and the Venture Capital Investment Competition.
Innovative Curriculum
- A specialized first-year course introduces students to industry dynamics in the life, engineering, and emerging sciences and strategies for science-driven businesses. Other course topics include: consulting, negotiation, leadership, developing science-based markets, entrepreneurial finance, and intellectual property.
- Students build distinct capabilities in areas such as business development, strategic management of human resources in high-tech organizations, market risk management, technology licensing and the strategic management of research development.
- As one of the leading research universities in the world, students have the opportunity to work with faculty and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) developed technologies to determine commercial opportunities.
- Students are able to draw upon courses across the UW-Madison campus and select electives that fit with their personal goals.
- The capstone course provides opportunities to apply key theory and skills to real-world settings.
“I really enjoyed my work at Silicon Pastures this summer. It’s a wonderful intersection of business and very interesting technology.”
Eric Olson
MBA Class of 2007
Summer Internship at Silicon Pastures, Milwaukee-based angel investment network
Faculty Involvement
Faculty members in Strategic Management in the Life and Engineering Sciences include researchers who probe how organizations, science, and economic forces interact to create social value. Their research informs courses in which students develop lasting frameworks for leading organizations based on fast-moving science. Selected students have opportunities to participate in faculty research. Faculty also play key roles in the unique cross-campus Initiative for Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship (INSITE).
Contact
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Strategic Management in the Dan Olszewski, Director |