Online Bachelor's Degree: Biotechnology

This program requires a total of 120 credits.

• 36–37 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below. These include a subset of 7–8 credits accepted through transfer. 
• 41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework requirements for bachelor's degrees. 
• 42–43 Elective Credits: Review the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.

Pre-Admission Course Requirements

UMGC has limited course offerings in science beyond those already listed for the major. Approved coursework for the listed science requirements may include courses that are accepted in transfer from a community college or another appropriate institution:

You must complete 7–8 credits of approved coursework in biotechnology applications and techniques at another institution and have those credits accepted in transfer prior to beginning this program. These courses must have emphasized good lab practices and introduced technical skills in areas such as aseptic techniques, cell transfection, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, protein purification, polymerase chain reaction, and CRISPR.

Required Major Courses

Take the following courses at UMGC:

• Principles of Genetics(3 Credits, BIOL 222)
• Genetics Laboratory(1 Credit, BIOL 224)
• General Microbiology(4 Credits, BIOL 230)
• Inquiries in Biological Science(3 Credits, BIOL 325)
• Molecular and Cellular Biology(3 Credits, BIOL 350)
• Bioinformatics(3 Credits, BIOL 357)
• Laboratory Management and Safety(3 Credits, NSCI 301)

Required Workplace Learning Courses

Choose one of the following course options:

• Two Workplace Learning in Biology(3 Credits, BIOL 486A) courses
• Workplace Learning in Biology(6 Credits, BIOL 486B)

Capstone Course

• Life Sciences Capstone(3 Credits, BIOL 495)

Related Required Courses

The following courses may fulfill 8 credits of general education requirements:

• Principles of Biology I(4 Credits, BIOL 105)
• General Chemistry I(4 Credits, CHEM 103)

The following science courses may fulfill 8–9 credits of related elective requirements:

• General Chemistry II(4 Credits, CHEM 113)
• Fundamentals of Physics I(4 Credits, PHYS 121)
• Fundamentals of Physics II(4 Credits, PHYS 122)
• Approved coursework in biotechnology, biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, physics, and virology

In the process of completing your Workplace Learning courses at UMGC (BIOL 486A/B), you will need to complete 270 hours of a supervised research-based laboratory experience.

Your Workplace Learning experience should take place at an organization that can provide the types of activities and supervision needed to meet program requirements and your own career goals. Make sure to plan at least a semester in advance before participating in a Workplace Learning experience.

Please contact UMGC if you have additional questions:

• Contact Workplace Learning at workplacelearning@umgc.edu for questions about the program.
• Contact Career Services at careerservices@umgc.edu for internship and job search support.
• Consult with your advisor or success coach for additional information or support.