teleh, it works the same way in MP. when you are prompted to pick a tech, just pick a tech. then click the tech bar to deselect it, and end your turn. you can put off picking a tech for the 5 turns this way - on the 6th turn you can do the same, but you'll commit your beakers to whichever tech you selected.
Please don't go. The drones need you. They look up to you.