Biotechnology Degrees

The Advantages To Earning A Biotechnology Degree

A biotechology degree offers students the ability to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to advance as a professional within the rapidly changing fields of technology and science. Biotechnology degree programs offer students a versatile educational foundation based chemistry, mathematics, biology, and computer science with the specialized study of cellular and biomolecular processes. Graduates with biotechnology degrees generally advance to positions researching drugs, illnesses, alternative fuels, plants and developing means of efficiently managing and manufacturing a multitude of living organisms, humans, and the environment.

Many colleges and universities have developed innovative online degree programs to extend instruction beyond traditional campus locations. Most online courses provide virtually the same educational information and materials as their on campus counterparts. Online classes also offer the added benefits of more flexibility in course scheduling and a more personalized educational experience with smaller classes of groups of 25 students or less. Online courses also provide students with increased interactions between other classmates and instructors through one on one Internet chats. As most students manage family and work responsibilities in addition to educational obligations, online programs are often one of the most convenient means of gaining the knowledge necessary for personal and professional success.

What Students Learn Within A Biotechnology Degree Program

Biotechnology degree programs provide students with the knowledge and means of strengthening skills necessary to advance to employment as qualified professionals within agricultural, pharmaceutical, science, and criminal justice industries. Biotechnology degree programs offer instruction based in mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, statistics, and physics as well specialized studies within concentrations like microbiology, biochemistry, cellular biology, organic chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. Most professionals within biotechnology based occupations are required to complete a minimum of a master’s degree to qualify for employment.

Many students begin studies within associate degree programs to gain a basic understanding of the field. Courses include: general cell biology, biotechnology applications, chemistry, laboratory mathematics in biotechnology, biotechnological laboratory skills for a regulated workplace, bioprocess technology, chemistry, hazardous materials, biosafety, radioisotopes, cell culturing, molecular biology, communication skills, chromatography technologies, industrial applied microbiology, protein bioseparations methods, introduction to psychology, contemporary American society, applied biochemistry, occupational work experience, economics, organic chemistry, botany, environmental issues, general anatomy and physiology, introduction to zoology, introduction to bioinformatics and genomics, introduction to bioinformatics computing, college Algebra, basic statistics, and an internship. Graduates who complete associate degree programs generally advance to entry level employment or continue studies within bachelor degree programs.

Bachelor degree programs offer students an expanded understanding of the discipline of biotechnology as well as means of strengthening research and analytical skills. Courses within a bachelor degree program include: college Algebra; precalculus; physics; principles in biology; diversity in biology; biology of animals; genetics and molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry; chemical principles; organic chemistry; analytical chemistry of bioscience; introduction to biotechnology; immunology; introduction to genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics; quality control and validation issues; introduction to international regulatory affairs; production regulatory affairs; English composition; intercultural communications; race and ethnicity; information technology; human-computer interactions; precalculus; calculus; statistics; ethical and political perspectives; introduction to philosophy and ethics; bioethics; chemical principles; chemistry and the environment; issues in biology; contemporary America; Western civilization: Ancient and Medieval; and an internship. Bachelor degree graduates may gain employment or continue studies within graduate programs.

Master’s degree programs in biotechnology offer students the ability to gain specialized knowledge necessary to advance to a number of upper level positions within a number of industries. Master’s degree courses include: biochemistry, cellular/molecular biology, statistics, engineering biotechnology, molecular genetics, experimental principles in cell and molecular biology, advanced cell biology, genetic analysis, immunobiology, communication at the cellular level, quantitative human physiology, cell biology and molecular structure, foundations of engineering mathematics, nanoscale systems biology, transport processes, biomaterials, molecular biophysics, quanitative human physiology, biomechanics and transport, tissue engineering, molecular biophysics, molecular genetics, computational biology, cellular bioengineering, fundamentals of pharmacology, statistics, mathematical foundations, programming languages and techniques, databases, drug discovery and development, mathematical computation methods for modeling and biological systems, quantitative human physiology, molecular and cell biology, and an internship. Master’s degree graduates may advance to employment or continue studies within a doctoral degree program.

Doctoral degree programs offer candidates the ability to qualify as experts in the field of biotechnology. Courses include: introduction to bioprocess engineering; bioseparations, recombinant techniques, and protein engineering; biochemistry; gene structure and function; molecular biology of the cell; current topics in biotechnology; laboratory rotations in biotechnology; introduction to bioinformatics; introduction and application of bioinformatics; biotechnology research; advanced molecular techniques; special topics in tissue culture; special topics in growth factors and onocogenes; molecular biochemistry laboratory; biological macromolecules; selected topics in biochemistry; special topics in polymeric drug delivery systems; principles of liquid and solid interfaces; advanced enzymology; advanced topics in bioengineering; dissertation research; dissertation; and a clinical experience. Graduates who complete studies within doctoral degree programs generally advance to employment as instructors or researchers within facilities, colleges, or universities.

Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Biotechnology Degrees

Graduates who complete studies within biotechnology programs may advance to a number of employment opportunities based upon the knowledge and skills acquired through formal degree programs. Employment for graduates with biotechnology degrees is based upon several factors, including: education level, area/s of specialty, and related work experience. Associate degree graduates often gain employment as research assistants, science technicians, biotechnological technicians, or administrative assistants within biotechnology firms. Graduates who complete bachelor degrees often gain employment as clinical researchers, biotechnological researchers, biological scientists, or forensic scientists with some additional training. Master’s degree graduates often work as biotechnological coordinators, biotechnological engineers, biotechnological researchers, assistant professors, or vocational school instructors. Graduates who complete doctoral degree programs advance as experts in the field and gain employment as college or university instructors, geneticists, consultants, or lead researchers within a variety of public or private health care, agriculture, business, or criminal justice organizations.

Salary Range For Biotechnology Degree Graduates

Biotechnology degree graduates gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to establish successful and lucrative careers in a rapidly growing field. Earnings for biotechnology degree graduates are based upon factors like education level, area/s of specialty, organization of employment, and related work experience. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports average earnings for biotechnology researchers range from $56,540 to $106,410 annually. Graduates who complete associate degree programs and gain employment as research assistants earn $27,910 to $47,480 annually. Bachelor degree graduates who work as biological scientists earn salaries of $59,260 to $108,950 annually. Graduates with master’s degrees who work as biotechnology engineers earn $67,420 to $105,000 annually. Doctoral degree graduates who work as instructors within colleges and universities earn $52,520 to $153,540 annually. The BLS also reports graduates who work within governmental agencies have higher earnings than graduates As with most occupations, graduates who complete advanced degrees, specialize training, and gain work experience have higher earnings in comparison to graduates with less education, training, and experience.

Career Outlook and Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With Biotechnology Degrees

Graduates with biotechnology degrees are qualified to work as professionals within the wide ranging and fast growing field of biotechnology. Completion of a biotechnology degree provides the educational foundation for a successful career within a rapidly growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports job growth for biotechnology professionals will increase by 21 percent through 2018 at a much faster than average rate in comparison to other occupations. Biotechnological research and advancement will spur growth of the biotechnology industry as biotechnology, health care, and pharmaceutical firms advance and develop new ways to identify genes, treat disease, pinpoint genes, manage pollution, preserve the environment, and increase agricultural yields. Limited Federal funding for biotechnological research may potentially decrease the number of jobs available to graduates yet overall the field is predicted to offer stable job opportunities.

Graduates who complete associate degree programs generally begin employment within entry level jobs under the supervision of more experienced scientists or biotechnological engineers and advance to more complex projects with greater salaries and increased responsibilities. Bachelor degree graduates generally begin employment within entry level research positions and gradually advance to supervisory positions upon gaining relevant training, experience, and education. Master’s degree graduates often begin employment within entry level administrative or lead research positions within smaller organizations and advance to positions within more prestigious and larger organizations upon gaining experience. Doctoral degree graduates often begin employment as experts within teaching or research positions and advance to self owned consulting firms upon securing adequate funding, training, and experience.

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