Division of Biology and Medicine
Office of Graduate Studies
Brown/Pfizer Master of Arts in Biology
This program is a unique benefit for Pfizer employees who wish to extend their knowledge within the biological sciences and potentially gain the Master of Arts in Biology.
Breadcrumb
Brown/Pfizer Master of Arts in Biology
This program is a unique benefit for Pfizer employees who wish to extend their knowledge within the biological sciences and potentially gain the Master of Arts in Biology.
Elevate Your Science. Empower Your Career.
Brown University offers graduate-level education in Biology for Pfizer employees. Courses are fully remote and online only. The only prerequisite is a bachelor’s degree in any field.
This program is a unique benefit for Pfizer employees who wish to extend their knowledge within the biological sciences and potentially gain the Master of Arts in Biology. The only prerequisite is a bachelor’s degree in any field.
Students take one graduate biology course per semester (fall, spring). After the successful completion of two such courses, students may apply to the Brown University Division of Master's and Professional Programs for admittance. The Master of Arts in Biology requires eight courses, two being “core” subjects (Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or Pharmacology). Additionally, a final research paper on a pre-approved topic is required for graduation.
View slides from the August 2025 Brown/Pfizer Master of Arts in Biology information session, including details on upcoming courses.
Enrollment in courses must be approved on a semester-by-semester basis. Enrollment confirmation and change of status requests (dropping a course, change of grade option) are processed by emailing Meagan Pepper-Estes. Grades and transcripts are processed and mailed to students by the Brown Registrar's Office.
The following materials should be submitted as part of your application for the Pfizer Program course enrollment at least one month prior to the start of the term:
- Registration Form
- Statement describing your interest in taking coursework at Brown University. Note: This letter of intent need only be filed once unless the student has a change in plans of which we should be informed.
Pfizer employees should also consult with the Pfizer Human Resources Department to ensure that they have complied with all procedures required by their employer.
The deadline for enrollment in a course is the end of the week after the first class meeting.
Earlier enrollment than this is encouraged, although students are welcomed to visit the class once before making their enrollment decision.
The deadline to drop a course is the end of the second class week.
To drop a course you must submit an email to Meagan Pepper-Estes by this deadline. The Brown University refund policy can be found on the Bursar's site.
Taking a course for credit means that the student must meet all the course requirements as specified by the instructor. Students are also subject to the same academic policies regarding course prerequisites, grading options and extension of work as any other Brown student. These policies are outlined in the University Course Announcement Bulletin and are available through the publications of the Office of Continuing Education.
Enrollment does not imply admission to candidacy for a degree. Individuals interested in admission as a graduate student should review the How to Apply section below and contact Meagan Pepper-Estes with any questions.
No financial aid is available for visiting students through Brown University. Students should consult employer policies regarding reimbursement for tuition and fees,
To satisfy degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Biology, students in the Brown/Pfizer program must complete eight (8) graduate courses:
- 2 of the 8 courses must be in “core” subjects: Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Pharmacology
- 6 of the 8 courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better
Successfully complete a “culminating experience” on topic approved by the Associate Dean. There are two options for the culminating experience: 1) an NIH style research proposal based on an original hypothesis or 2) a final paper which, based on the course work taken by the student, represents an original in-depth analysis and literature review of a problem in modern biology. Students will receive notification about specific paper requirements and deadlines at the beginning of the academic year.
Students interested in pursuing the Master of Arts in Biology program may apply for admission to the Division of Master's and Professional Programs after the successful completion of at least two courses. This application indicates serious intent to complete degree requirements. Please contact Meagan Pepper-Estes if you have any questions.Graduate School application
You will need to indicate the term in which you plan to enroll (typically, this will be the beginning of the next semester - Spring or Fall).
You must complete the application with the necessary information and be sure to include:
- College transcript showing conferral of Bachelor's Degree
- A Personal Statement
- Identify at least one person who will submit a letter of recommendation for you - the required letter should be from your supervisor at Pfizer
- GRE Scores are not required and do not have to be submitted
You must submit your application electronically. At least two (2) weeks prior to submitting, please contact Meagan Pepper-Estes to notify us that you plan to submit your application and discuss the application fee waiver.
Once your application has been submitted and the Associate Dean reviews and decides that the applicant is sufficiently qualified, the Associate Dean will recommend the student for admission to the Master of Arts in Biology. You will be notified via email once your decision has been posted.
2025-2026 Graduate Student Tuition & Fees
Tuition (per course): $8,962
Annual cost of tuition and required graduate student fees are listed on the Student Financial Services website, including a description of the required fees.
Tuition and fees must be paid prior to the start of classes.
Payment for student account charges are accepted by mail, wire transfer, electronically, and by participation in the interest free Brown Installment Payment Plan (IPP). Payment by any of the mentioned methods is expected by the established deadlines to avoid the assessment of a Late Payment Charge.
Payment Options
Please review the Brown Student Payment page for complete information about tuition payments.
For information about processing payments, please contact the Cashier's office at (401) 863-1280 or Cashier@brown.edu
Upcoming Course
Spring 2026
"Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell" (BIOL 2050)
Instructor: Professor Chuck Toth
Course Location: This class will be online (via Zoom)
Time: TBD
Classes start: TBD
Course Description: BIOL 2050 examines subcellular processes and macromolecular complexes of eukaryotic cells with respect to structural and functional roles in major cellular activities. It emphasizes the experimental basis for knowledge in modern cell biology using original literature. Course content will cover cellular and molecular techniques in cell biology, functions of cellular compartments and organelles, and the organization and expression of genetic information in eukaryotes, comparing normal and pathological states. Application to drug development will be emphasized.
- Identify and critically evaluate key questions, concerns, and approaches of eukaryotic cell biology.
- Apply knowledge of normal cellular and molecular processes, related pathological conditions, and understanding of the drug development process to creation of a grant proposal.
Current Course
Fall 2025
"Molecular Targets of Drug Discovery" (BIOL 2145)
Instructor: Professor Diana Horrigan
Course Location: This class will be online (via Zoom)
Time: Wednesdays, 3-6pm
Classes start: September 3, 2025
Course Description: The overall goal of this course is to provide students with a solid understanding of the ways in which therapeutic
targets are identified and selected. A variety of targets will be discussed as they relate to a particular disease condition. Students will be exposed to experts in the field
Learning Outcomes:
- Describe the methods essential for identifying a drug target.
- Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of methods and assays used in the process of drug discovery and development.
- Describe the characteristics of specific drug targets and identify key principles that are considered in the process of drug discovery.
- Apply the principles of drug discovery and development by designing a drug for a chosen target and giving an oral presentation in class.
- Discuss the practical and analytical skills required for a career in the pharmaceutical industry with experts in the field.
Previous Courses
Spring 2025
"Planetary Health Global Environmental Change and Emerging Infectious Disease" (BIOL 2455)
Instructor: Professor Katherine Smith
Course Location: This class will be online (via Zoom)
Time: Asynchronous
Classes start: January 22, 2025
Course Description: Will a warmer world be a sicker world? What is it about the New England landscape that supports the proliferation of Lyme Disease? How are local wildlife trade and global species invasions contributors to emerging diseases like the 2003 outbreak of monkeypox virus in the USA? We will explore these and related questions in Planetary Health: global environmental change and emerging infectious disease. Planetary health is a timely new field focused on understanding the human health implications of human-caused disruptions to Earth's natural systems. The facet of ‘health’ that we focus on in this course is infectious disease. Students will learn how, when, where and why infectious diseases emerge in association with anthropogenic environmental impacts, specifically climate change, land-use change, and increased human interaction with animals.
Fall 2024
"Advanced Biochemistry" (Biol2270 S02)
Instructor: Professor Gerwald Jogl
Course Location: This class will be online (via Zoom)
Time: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes start: September 4, 2024
Course Description: This course will review fundamental principles of biochemistry and study how biochemistry shapes current biomedical research. In each session, students will review a topic in biochemistry and discuss one or two recent research publications. The in-class discussion will examine experimental techniques used in the papers and evaluate how the reported results integrate with prior knowledge and move the field forward.
Spring 2024
"Principles of Immunology" (BIOL 2530)
Instructor: Professor Aisling Dugan
Course Location: This class will be online (via Zoom)
Time: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes start: January 24, 2024
Course Description: The BIOL 2530 course will explore the biology of the mammalian immune system to gain an understanding and appreciation of its importance and complexity. Together, we will learn the experimental and theoretical foundations of immunology. Topics include innate and adaptive immunity; anatomy of immune organs and tissues, structure/function of antibody molecules and T cell receptors; cytokine response, development and maturation of immune cells, and regulation of immune responses through cellular interactions. We will investigate the cells and chemicals that make up each branch of the immune system and learn how cells communicate with each other. Clinically significant issues such as vaccinations, transplantation, inflammation, autoimmunity, cancer, and immunodeficiency like HIV/AIDS infection will be discussed. This course will introduce students to primary literature where interpretative analysis of experimental data will be emphasized.
Fall 2023
"Virology for Biotechnology" (BIOL 2565)
Instructor: Professor Amanda Jamieson
Course Location: This class will be online (via WebEx)
Classes start: September 2023
Course Description: This course emphasizes the understanding of molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. Begins with a general introduction to the field of virology and then focuses on the molecular biology of specific viruses that are associated with human disease. Lectures based on current literature.
Note: Some students have reported issues with accessing this form due to Pfizer web security. Most students have been able to access using their phone or home web access. Please contact meagan_pepper@brown.edu if you are unable to access the form.
Spring 2023
"Molecular Genetics" (BIOL 2540)
Instructor: Professor Richard Freiman
Course Location: This class will be online (via WebEx)
Time: Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes start: January 26, 2023
Course Description: In BIOL 2540, students will learn the key concepts involved in designing and interpreting molecular genetic analyses using the powerful molecular tools available and diverse model organisms. Students will learn fundamental and theoretical concepts in molecular genetics in an effort to understand, analyze and discuss results presented in the primary scientific literature. Furthermore, students will gain an appreciation of how the field of molecular genetics has changed through discoveries and whole genome analyses via next generation sequencing technological advances made over the past decade.
Fall 2022
"Cancer Biology" (BIOL 1290)
Instructor: Professor Patrycja Dubielecka-Szczerba
Course Location: This class will be online (via WebEx)
Classes start: September 2022
Course Description: BIOL 1290 focuses on recent research and selected major processes including metastasis and genetic regulation of cell proliferation and cell death forms the foundation of course work in this area.
Spring 2022
"Human Physiology" (BIOL 2117)
Instructor: Professor John Stein
Course Location: Due to COVID 19 concerns, this class will be online (via WebEx)
Time: Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes start: January 31, 2022
Course Description: The goals of the course are to develop an understanding of the major organ systems in the body and how they work together in health and disease. We will start with selected aspects of molecular and cell biology and then build to an understanding of tissue, organ and organ system function covering nervous, endocrine, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems. As the semester progresses, we will study how different organ systems function together to maintain a stable internal environment. Along the way we will discuss human diseases and disorders that perturb this environment, which is interesting itself and also serves to help you understand normal physiology even better. Toward the end of the course we will cover topics of exercise, acid/base balance, metabolism that require integrating knowledge of multiple organ systems. We will also cover several clinical cases where your understanding of basic physiology will allow you to appreciate the corresponding symptoms and the possible side effects of treatment
Fall 2021
"Physiological Pharmacology" (BIOL 1260)
Instructor: Professor John Marshall
Course Location: Due to COVID 19 concerns, this class will be online (via WebEx)
Time: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes start: September 8, 2021
Course Description: This course will present drugs in the context of the diseases they treat. We will focus on the most commonly prescribed drugs discussing their modes of action and clinical importance.
Course Objectives:
- To become familiar with the basic principles related to the use of drugs for treating human disorders.
- To understand the mechanism of action of therapeutically useful drugs.
- Appreciate the limitations of drug therapy and the possibilities for future drug development.
Previous course work or knowledge of physiology helpful but not required.
This course satisfies a Core Requirement within the Brown-Pfizer Master of Arts in Biology curriculum.
Spring 2021
"From Neurons to Consciousness" (NEUR 1500)
Instructor: Professor Michael Paradiso
Course Location: Due to COVID 19 concerns, this class will be online (via WebEx)
Time: Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes Start: January 26, 2021
Fall 2020
"Histology" (BIOL 1890)
Instructor: Professor Sonja Chen and Professor Ali Amin
Course Location: Due to COVID 19 concerns, this class will be online (via WebEx)
Time: Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (classes recorded).
Classes Start: September 9, 2020
Course Description: This course will provide an in-depth treatment of the "stuff we are made of" and the wonderful logic of its organization. The basic architecture of the body is of primary significance in gaining an understanding of what we as human are made of, and how human body works. Fundamental to such an understanding is the basic unit of life, the cell. During early development, cells in the aggregate undergo specialization as tissues, which are the building blocks of the body. This course focuses first on the biology of the four basic tissues (epithelium, connective tissue, muscle and nerve) and second, how they contribute to the functional anatomy of all organs and systems. We will emphasize characteristic developmental, structure-function and regulatory relationships many of which are the foundation for the understanding of pathologic alteration.
Note: Course will be held online but will cover all the material listed on the syllabus
Spring 2020
"Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell" (BIOL 2050)
Instructor: Professor Richard Freiman
Course Location: Pfizer Inc. (Groton, CT Main Campus).
Time: Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes Start: January 23, 2020
Course Description: This course will cover both fundamental and applied aspects of cell and molecular biology. In this course, we will review the basic molecular pathways that ensure that the eukaryotic genome is properly packaged, replicated and expressed and repaired in healthy cells. We will also explore the structure and compartmentalization inside an outside of the eukaryotic cell that help determine how cells respond to their environment and communicate with each other. In addition to covering fundamental cell biological principles and mechanisms emphasis of the material will examine how the disruption of such exquisite regulation leads to disease states and apply this mechanistic knowledge towards improving human health.
Fall 2019
"Molecular Targets of Drug Discovery" (BIOL 2145)
Instructor: Professor Diana Horrigan
Course Location: Pfizer Inc. (Groton, CT Main Campus).
Time: Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes Start: September 10, 2019
Course Description: This course focuses on the identification of drug targets and the development of novel drugs. Students will also be exposed to experts in the field of drug discovery. Pre-requisite knowledge: some background knowledge in biology, physiology or cell biology would be helpful, but is not required.
Spring 2019
"Biotechnology & Global Health" (BIOL 1070)
Instructor: Professor Toni-Marie Achilli
Course Location: Pfizer Inc. (Groton, CT Main Campus).
Time: Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Classes Start: January 24, 2019
Course Description: This course examines the issues pertaining to worldwide problems in human health and the technologies to combat these issues. Global health will be addressed primarily from the scientific and engineering perspectives. Topics include the pathophysiology and epidemiology of major human health issues, highlighting the differences between the developed and developing world. Building from the basic biology, we will analyze how disparities in the burden of disease affect the course of scientific research and how new medical technologies influence public health policies. We will consider how research and engineering approaches are tailored to address different geographical, cultural, and economic challenges, through modern case studies. Medical and research ethics will also be discussed.
Master of Arts in Biology students have access to the same academic, financial, and career resources offered to all members of the Brown University Master's Community. For a list of these services, please visit the links below to learn more.