MBP offers a sequence of seminar series that focus on the non-technical aspects of biotechnology education. Seminars cover a variety of topics such as intellectual property, compliance and regulatory affairs, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices), GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), process development, communication skills, inter-personal skills, and career development. These seminars are presented by experts from the biotechnology and related industries. Students get an opportunity to interact individually and in groups with the speakers during and after the seminars.

A representative list of seminars from previous years is given below:

2004-2005 Seminars

• E. Terry Papoutsakis (Walter P. Murphy Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University) Resumes, Networking, & Job Searches
• Michael Rosen (President and CEO of Immune Cell Therapy Inc.)  Biotechnology in the Midwest: A Perspective from a Blues Aficionado
• Jim Bray (Assistant Director, ITCE) So, You Want to Start a Biotech?
• Igor Kourkine (Associate Director, Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University) Comprehensive IP Strategy
• Lonnie Dunlap (Director, Career Services, Northwestern University) Biotechnology Career Perspectives 
• Annette Gilchrist (President, Cue BIOtech, Inc.) Financing for small biotech companies
• Indrani Mukarji (Executive Director, Technology Transfer Program, Northwestern University) Technology Transfer in the Academia
• Chris Tomas (Director, New Technology Development, Abbott laboratories) Building a Diagnostic Immunoassay: A Diversity of Skills & Talents
• Barbara Shwom (College Lecturer, WCAS Writing Program Director, Northwestern University) and Penny Hirsch, Ph.D. (College Lecturer, WCAS Writing Program Director, Northwestern University)

Scientific Writing Workshop (5 meetings)

• Introduction to MBP Reports
• Guided Practice to Improve Progress Report
• Communicating Effectively with Graphics 
• Planning Effective PowerPoint Presentations
• Organizing the Final Report