Academic Life Sciences

Academic Life Sciences

Academic Research Institutions

Maryland is endowed with world renowned academic institutions.
Maryland’s universities receive more than $1.7 billion in NIH research grants and contract awards, and conduct more than $2 billion in R&D, much in the life sciences. With such research intensity, it is no wonder that Maryland stands out nationally in the rankings of its educational system.

Nearly 300,000 students attend 58 accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities. Approximately one-third of Maryland’s total student population, is enrolled in programs relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry whether business or science related. More than 16,700 industry-relevant degrees are awarded each year in diversified programs in the life sciences including health sciences, biotechnology and biological sciences, biomedical engineering, nanobiotechnology, proteomics, systems biology as well as chemical engineering, mathematical sciences, computer sciences and business.

Johns Hopkins University is consistently ranked as the top biomedical campus and clinical research hospital in the U.S. and internationally. Additionally, Johns Hopkins University ranks first among U.S. colleges and universities in total National Institutes of Health awards, including grants and contracts for research, development, training and fellowships totaling over $607 million (NIH, 2005).

The University System of Maryland consists of 11 independent campuses with five having a deep strength and focus on the biological and biomedical sciences. The University System of Maryland alone offers over 600 degree programs delivered in classrooms, laboratories, education centers, and online.
The University of Maryland College Park, has been ranked 53rd in the latest 2008 U.S. News and World Report rankings of "National Universities" across the United States, and it is ranked 10th nationally among public universities. To date, The University of Maryland, Baltimore has conducted $1.5 billion worth of research in areas including cancer, biodefense, vaccines, neuroscience, vascular biology, and HIV/AIDS.

Maryland's sixteen community colleges operate a network of 23 campuses and numerous learning centers throughout the state. Workforce training is offered by each through associate degrees and certificates, continuing education, and transfer programs. Versatility built into the training programs through the Maryland Community Colleges Business Network ensures that while certain campuses feature different bioscience programs, the physical location of an employer does not impede access to these programs.

The following list outlines academic institutions in Maryland that have a significant focus in the life sciences:

4 yr Colleges & Universities

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
The Johns Hopkins University is a world leader in biological research and in the global biotechnology industry. The mission of The Johns Hopkins University is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Baltimore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

The Applied Physics Laboratory is a division of the university co-equal to the nine schools, but with a non-academic, research-based mission. APL, located between Baltimore and Washington, supports national security and also pursues space science, exploration of the Solar System and other civilian research and development. Johns Hopkins also has a campus near Rockville in Montgomery County, MD, and has academic facilities in Nanjing, China, and in Bologna, Italy. It maintains a network of continuing education facilities throughout the Baltimore-Washington region, including centers in downtown Baltimore, in downtown Washington and in Columbia.

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (JHMI)
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions comprises the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, and the health divisions of Johns Hopkins University; Howard County General Hospital, the Kenny Krieger Institute, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, School of Nursing and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

University of Maryland (UM)
Driven by the pursuit of excellence, the University of Maryland has enjoyed a remarkable rise in accomplishment and reputation over the past two decades. By any measure, The University of Maryland is now one of the nation's preeminent public research universities and on a path to become one of the world's best. The University of Maryland's location has resulted in strong research partnerships, especially with the Federal government. Many members of the faculty receive research funding and institutional support from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Homeland Security.

University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB)
UMB is the state’s public academic health, law, and human services university devoted to leadership and excellence in professional and graduate education, research, public service, and patient care. UMB comprises seven strong professional schools and an interdisciplinary graduate school. The schools educate students, conduct research, and provide clinical services in dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and public health. Nearly 1,200 faculty have conducted $1.5 billion in research in the last three years in areas including cancer, biodefense, vaccines, neuroscience, vascular biology, and HIV/AIDS.

University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.

University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI)
UMBI's mission is to conduct groundbreaking research in key areas of biotechnology, to make fundamental discoveries, generate innovative solutions to practical problems, and develop new technologies for commercial application. UMBI is committed to providing an exceptional environment for specialized training and to mentoring tomorrow's biotechnology workforce while promoting economic growth.

Morgan State University
For over 140 years, Morgan State University has been an important part of the higher education system in Baltimore City, the State of Maryland, and the nation. Throughout its history, Morgan has served the community with distinction while meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse society. Its designation as Maryland's Public Urban University assures that Morgan will continue to play a prominent role in Maryland's education future.

Towson University
Founded in 1866, Towson University is recognized among the nation's best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. With more than 21,000 students, Towson University is the second-largest public university in Maryland. As a metropolitan university, Towson combines research-based learning with practical application. Our many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).

Stevenson University
Stevenson University blends the traditional liberal arts with a distinct career focus and is proud to offer a unique blend of qualities. Stevenson is dedicated to providing a best value education to all qualified students. Career preparation is woven throughout the curriculum. The Stevenson experience goes beyond textbooks and tests. Stevenson defines academic quality as a personalized education that fosters intellectual growth.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
USUHS has a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for military and public health professions education and research. Our programs are unique, related directly to force health protection, tropical diseases, disaster medicine, military and public health medical readiness and adaptation to extreme environments. USU prepares outstanding scientists and health care practitioners for careers in service to the nation.

Community Colleges

Baltimore City Community College(BCCC)
Serving primarily the residents and business community of Baltimore, BCCC is a state-sponsored comprehensive two-year degree-granting college with two main campuses and satellite locations throughout the city. With its broad range of degree and certificate programs, affordable tuition, and extensive outreach, BCCC offers educational opportunities at all levels to the citizens of Baltimore and the state of Maryland that enable students to obtain good jobs, transfer to four-year colleges, or take short-term training to upgrade their skills or acquire new ones.

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
CCBC prepares students for the intensive research, government oversight, recordkeeping, and specialized production techniques that today’s biotechnology sector requires. CCBC has more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs.

Frederick Community College
Frederick Community College (FCC) prepares individuals to meet the challenges of a diverse, global society through quality, accessible, innovative, lifelong learning. FCC is a student-centered, community-focused college. FCC offers courses, degrees, certificates, and programs for workforce preparation, transfer, and personal enrichment. Through these offerings, FCC enhances the quality of life and economic vitality of the region.

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown Community College’s (HCC) vision is to be "a learner-centered, accessible, life-long learning institution dedicated to student and community success." The College has over the years been chosen for many awards and other forms of recognition for both the quality of its programs and the high caliber of its faculty and staff.

Montgomery College
Montgomery College is composed of three campuses, the largest of which is in Rockville; the other campuses are in Takoma Park/Silver Spring and Germantown. Off-campus sites include the Business Training Center in Gaithersburg and Westfield South in Wheaton, which are operated by the college's Workforce Development and Continuing Education division. Montgomery College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It offers two-year associate's degrees and a variety of professional certificates and letters of recognition. The Rockville campus offers more than 600 courses in more than 40 curricula. The Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus is known for its nursing and allied health science career programs, and the Germantown campus is known for its science programs, including computer science and biotechnology.