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Online Bachelor's Degree: Biotechnology

Biotechnology
Bachelor of Science
DEGREE AT A GLANCE
  • 120 credits
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Workplace learning experience required
TUITION RATES
  • $330 per credit (in-state)
  • $499 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $250 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
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Next Session Starts
May 14

Enrich your understanding of the life sciences and their pivotal role in innovation with an online bachelor's degree in biotechnology from University of Maryland Global Campus. Engage with a thriving community of students and expert faculty members as you prepare to drive progress in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. With convenient online courses, multiple start dates, access to lifetime career services, and a generous transfer credit policy, UMGC provides the flexibility and support you need. Start your journey today.

Become a Skilled Biotechnologist with Specialized Knowledge

This 120-credit biotechnology program covers a spectrum of topics from the fundamental aspects of microbiology to specialized areas of study in bioinformatics, laboratory management, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. Throughout the curriculum, you’ll engage with the intricacies of biological sciences, biotechnological applications in health and disease, and the revolutionary technologies that are reshaping industries from agriculture to medicine. You will also explore areas such as environmental biotech, eukaryotic cell biology, and regulatory affairs in biotechnology. Ultimately, this online degree is designed for those eager to harness scientific knowledge to innovate and pioneer solutions in the biotech sector.

Here are a few benefits of this online program:

  • Developed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, the curriculum is designed to prepare you for roles in healthcare, agricultural sciences, environmental management, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, and more.
  • The program’s hands-on workplace learning experience provides students with an opportunity to develop real-world skills and make an impact right away.
  • We offer competitive tuition rates for Maryland residents, as well as discounts for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependents.

See Courses & Program Info

View a complete list of program courses, requirements, workplace learning information, and more.

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These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

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Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

See Degree Requirements

Develop Skills in Biotechnological Analysis 

Understanding biotechnological principles, processes, and the innovations that shape our health, environment, and industries is crucial in driving measurable change. This online program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to analyze and apply biotechnological concepts to real-world challenges. The program aims to cultivate key competencies in areas such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, laboratory management and safety; critical thinking and problem-solving; comparative analysis of biotechnical methods; and the impact of biotechnology on society. Program directors regularly review and update the curriculum with an emphasis on helping students achieve the following:

Maintain Ethical Standards
Practice ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness in scientific practices and conduct.
Share Expertise
Offer technical support, customer assistance, and cost-benefit analyses regarding biotechnical approaches to the development of products and services.
Adhere to Regulations
Comply with and adhere to national, state, and local standards, policies, protocols, and regulations for laboratory and manufacturing activity.
Communicate Effectively
Communicate orally and in writing in a clear, well-organized manner that effectively informs and clarifies scientific principles and lab techniques.
Use Emerging Tech
Use scientific procedures and emerging technologies to conduct safe and hygienic laboratory experiments and collect validated and documented data.
Solve Complex Problems
Apply scientific knowledge and principles, quantitative methods, and technology to think critically and solve complex problems in biotechnology.

Unlock Your Career Potential

This program is designed to prepare you to excel in diverse professional environments in both the public and private sectors, including pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, agricultural firms, environmental agencies, research institutions, healthcare organizations, regulatory bodies, and more. Graduates might pursue careers as biotechnologists, bioinformaticians, research scientists, laboratory technicians, clinical research managers, quality assurance analysts, environmental biotechnologists, or biotech product analysts.

7%
Job Growth
Employment for biological technicians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Occupational Outlook Handbook | Last Reviewed: April 1, 2025
8%
Job Growth
Employment for natural sciences managers is projected to increase 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Occupational Outlook Handbook | Last Reviewed: April 1, 2025
18%
Vacancy Rate
The vacancy rate in medical laboratories in the United States ranges from 7 to 18 percent, showing an urgent need to recruit and retain skilled medical laboratory science professionals.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Pathology | “The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) 2022 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States” | November 4, 2023

Apply What You Learn in Your Courses

Throughout the curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that may help you prioritize real-world skills and hands-on experiences. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following projects:

  • Analyze a case study to identify the problems and inconsistencies observed in a research lab. Propose recommendations to correct the problems and prepare a training manual or presentation to educate employees to prevent the problems from occurring again.
  • Analyze a primary research article and propose at least two future directions for the research. Prepare a narrated “Shark Tank”-style PowerPoint presentation to pitch your future research ideas to investors for funding.
  • Survey a laboratory for disposal supplies and durable lab equipment. Create a laboratory database/spreadsheet that accurately lists the supplies and equipment.
  • Use bioinformatics tools to identify diseases at the gene and protein level.

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