Purpose: This program is designed to prepare graduates for employment in entry-level positions at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as laboratory, research, or manufacturing technicians. Coursework will develop an understanding of basic scientific principles in biology and chemistry, and will emphasize laboratory techniques and procedures such as solution and media preparation, DNA purification and analysis, electrophoresis, chromatography, maintenance of cells in culture, and quality control techniques.
Transfer Information: Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Many of the courses within the program are accepted for transfer to almost any senior institution. Students interested in transfer should contact their academic advisor early in their program.
Recommended Preparation: Students should be proficient in high school English, Algebra and Biology.
Application Process:
Students wishing to enroll in the A.A.S. in Biotechnology degree should proceed through the following steps for admission, starting at least one semester prior to when they wish to enroll in the program:
&mbsp; - Attend an information session or schedule an advising appointment with a Biotech Faculty Advisor
- This can be completed prior to or after steps 2-4. Students are encouraged to seek information very early in the process.
Apply to NOVA
- Students may choose to enroll in the A.S. in General Studies degree prior to their acceptance into the program.
- Complete Pre-admission requirements for program
- Students applying to the A.A.S. degree must have documentation of the following:
- Placement into college-level English (ENG 111)
- Placement into MTH 151 or higher
- Completion of BIO 101 with “C” or better
Students who are currently enrolled in BIO 101 may apply to program and be admitted on a provisional basis until their final grade is submitted. If a student has taken BIO 101 or any of the course requirements at another institution, they must submit official transcripts and if applicable, foreign transcripts, and submit a formal evaluation of the courses/degree, along with a 125–049 form, Request for Evaluation of Transcript, for each institution,
Apply to the program
- Students need to fill out an online application. This will automatically be e-mailed to Biotech Program Coordinator. S/he will review the student's application, test scores, and transcripts to confirm they are eligible for admission. An advising session will be scheduled if not already completed. Students will be notified within 2–4 weeks as to whether they have been accepted or not.
&mbsp; - Receive Biotech Program Handbook and register for core biotech classes, BIO 250 and BIO 253.
1 BIO 173: Biology for Biotechnology may be substituted for BIO 101.
2 Students who wish to transfer to a four-year institution for a baccalaureate degree should complete the CHM 111–112 series.
3 Students must complete one of the following: MTH 157, MTH 181, MTH 241, or MTH 271. Please see advisor for additional information on transferability of courses.
4 The social science elective may be selected from the social/behavioral sciences courses listed under General Education Electives.
5 Biotechnology elective in the science category may be selected from BIO 110 General Botany (4 cr.), BIO 120 General Zoology (4 cr.), BIO 251 Protein Applications in Biotechnology (4 cr.), BIO 252 Nucleic Acid Methods (4 cr.), BIO 256 General Genetics (4 cr.), CHM 260 Introductory Biochemistry (3 cr.). Students who choose CHM 260 must take one additional credit in a science course or in the Biotechnology Experiential Learning category. Students who wish to transfer may use BIO 102 General Biology II for this category.
6 Students who plan to transfer to a university may wish to consider taking ENG 112 College Composition II.
7 This requirement may be satisfied by a total of 3 credits selected from BIO 290 (Coordinated Internship), BIO 296 (On-Site Training in Biotechnology), BIO 297 (Cooperative Education, and BIO 299 (Supervised Study). A total of 3 credits in this category is required, from a combination of 1 – 3 credits in any of these courses. Students must be approved by the Biotechnology program coordinator(s) for an internship or Cooperative Education assignment. Criteria for approval include successful completion of biotechnology courses (including a demonstrated proficiency of basic lab skills), a professional work ethic, and an ability to work well with others. Please see your biotech academic advisor for assistance in determining eligibility and placement or for approval of a topic for a Project or Supervised Study.
8 Students can also substitute CST 100, 110, 115, 227 or 229.
9 Humanities/fine arts elective may be selected from the humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives.