Biotechnology
Get the training you need for an exciting career
The interdisciplinary Biotechnology Major integrates key knowledge and skills from both the biological and chemical sciences to meet the need for skilled laboratory associates in the experimental laboratory and in manufacturing facilities of the biotechnology industry. Through coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and writing, you will develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on laboratory skills that will prepare you for graduate school and a wide range of career opportunities.
You will be trained in tissue culture, molecular biology, protein purification, analytical chemistry, and regulatory affairs. An internship will give you additional practical experience.
You can choose areas of specialization with upper elective course options and by engaging in research projects mentored by faculty members. You can also take advantage of the expedited 4+1 program that enables you to complete both your B.S. and M.S. degrees in just five years.
What you will do:
- Develop a solid understanding of the principles of biological and chemical processes and the application of cells and organism for industrial purposes
- Use scientific methodology to solve problems and design experiments
- Apply analytical and laboratory skills and effectively communicate scientific information
- Participate in faculty-led research in areas like biochemistry, cancer biology, tissue culture, chemical synthesis, and microbiology or intern at a local biotechnology company such as Bristol-Myers Squibb or Curia
- Discover the global impact of biotechnology on the environment and society
Graduates are qualified for careers in research and development, quality assurance, quality control, and manufacturing as well as for further (graduate) education.
The Biotechnology major is sponsored jointly by the departments of Biology and Chemistry. Biotechnology majors are not eligible for a Chemistry Minor.
Biotechnology Programs
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The Five Year Combined 4+1 B.S./M.S. Program in Biotechnology is open to eligible students and includes three courses (10 credits) that count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. You should apply for this program in the fall semester of your junior year. The first three years are the same as the Biotechnology B.S. program. You will begin a research project in the spring semester of your fourth (senior) year. Application requirements include a minimum of 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and the GRE.
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The Honors Program in Biotechnology is designated as a distinction bestowed on those outstanding undergraduate Biotechnology majors who have demonstrated distinct competence in overall biotechnology course work and who have completed an independent research project of substantial merit. This program offers motivated students the opportunity to develop research and communication skills in preparation for graduate study or a professional career.
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This interdisciplinary minor will prepare you to enter the computer-intensive fields of bioinformatics, computational biology, computational chemistry, and molecular modeling, including genomics and proteomics. With the ever increasing number of fully sequenced genomes, including the human genome, databases such as GenBank and EMBL have grown at such a rate that storing, organizing, indexing, and ultimately mining the data have become key to answering biological questions. Questions of gene expression have led to computational biology, the process of analyzing genomic sequences and to the field of proteomics, the understanding of protein structure and function. The information obtained by computational biology and computational chemistry is used in the design of new drugs to treat a variety of diseases.
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The concentration ensures that you have the best possible academic preparation and advising as you prepare for post-graduate programs in medical school, dental school, or veterinary school. The Pre-Medical Concentration requirements include courses that are not part of the Biotechnology Major but are designated as core prerequisites for these professional schools, as well as some additional courses that are not part of the core prerequisites but are strongly recommended. The concentration curriculum also includes a one-credit seminar to be taken during your sophomore or junior year that is designed to familiarize you with the requirements for admission to medical, dental, and veterinary schools. The seminar will help you develop personal plans for fulfilling these requirements so that you have the best possible chance of admission to post-graduate study. A first-year seminar targeted at pre-medical students is offered, but not required, for completion of the concentration.
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With nine credits, you will meet the prerequisites for the Accelerated Pharmacy Program with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University. The three required courses are Introduction to Organismal Biology, Organic Chemistry II, and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II.
Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology at Worcester State?

STEM Center

Biology Club

Pre Med
Check Out the Different Biotechnology Courses at Worcester State
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BI-141 Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BT-101 Introduction to Forensic Sciences
BI-204 Microbiology
BT-240 Research Experience for Undergraduates
BI-313 Histology
CH-350 Medicinal Chemistry
BT-360 Introduction to Bioprocessing
BT-375 Tissue Culture
BT-376 Biotechnology
BT-377 Fermentation Technology
BT-378 Bioinformatics
BI-398 Cancer Biology
BT-408 Directed Study: Biotechnology
BT-410 Biotechnology Seminar
BT-440 Advanced Research Experience
BT-450 Internship in Biotechnology
CH-410 Biochemistry I
Meet the Biology Faculty
Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier
I am a cell and molecular biologist with interests in genetics, biochemistry, cancer biology, and science writing. Most of my research has been conducted using the budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) model system. I have investigated the role of [...]
Daron Barnard
I study the molecular mechanisms that control early development, using the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) as a model organism. I am particularly interested in understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms used to silence mRNAs before they [...]
Maura Collins
Scientist with over ten years experience teaching Microbiology, Fermentation Technology, and Process Development related courses. Interests include microbiome studies using chemostat systems and large scale cultivation of animal cells to produce [...]
Roger Greenwell
My research projects include: [...]
Aleel Grennan
I am a plant physiologist. My research interests is on the role of the chloroplast in plant growth and development, focusing on plant responses to changing light environments. My work encompasses plant responses to light at multiple levels – from [...]
Yan Hu
I conducted basic and applied research with the free-living roundworm model -Caenorhabditis elegant. My research focuses on two aspects: 1) Investigating Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal (Cry) proteins that have the potential to be developed as [...]
Jaime Mancilla
I obtained a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the University of Chicago and have worked at Brown University and the University of North Carolina as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. My research has focused mainly on understanding how the brain processes [...]
Luis Rosado
My name is Luis Rosado and I am an Assistant Professor in the Biology department. My research interests are in the field of human action and perception. I am specifically interested in how visual perception informs our ability to navigate our [...]
Randall Tracy
In my own research, I continue to investigate animal adaptations to their environments and couch many of my studies within Conservation Biology. By coupling physiological to ecological studies, I am able to test competitive interactions among species [...]
Sebastián Vélez
My students and I try to solve questions of arthropod phylogeny and biogeography. We use data from DNA sequencing, Scanning Electron Micrography (SEM), light imaging, and GPS. We analyze these data with computer phylogenetics software, and other [...]