Online Biotechnology Degree Programs

If you have a keen scientific mind and a desire to apply your knowledge to practical problems, you may be interested in the field of biotechnology. Biotechnology is an exciting field because it combines real-word issues with science, and allows for great and important advances in technology.

The Facts about Biotechnology

One of the most active fields of scientific research, biotechnology attracts a quarter of all scientific development funding, according to the National Science Board. Biotechnology combines the study of biology and applied technology to solve some of today's most pressing societal and scientific problems. Research in biotechnology has produced new drugs and vaccines, disease-resistant crops, and better ways of handling hazardous waste. This focus on research should, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, continue to drive employment growth.

Although no biotechnology degree can guarantee a particular job or salary, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports average earnings of $66,240 for workers in biological research. And with the continued pouring of money into biotechnological research, expected earnings are sure to grow in the future.

What Biotech Specialty Will You Study?

Degree programs in biotechnology focus on the practical applications of biological science, whereas biology degrees focus on the science itself. Coursework often includes:

• Basic concepts of biotechnology
• Manufacturing practices
• Food biotechnology
• Biological computation
• Drug design

Biotechnology certificate degree programs offer a broad introduction to biotechnology, and often lead to a job as laboratory or research technician. Associate's degree programs in biotechnology are more in-depth, with a greater focus on research and technical skills, and may lead to a job as a research specialist. Bachelor's degree programs tend to highlight one area of biotechnology. Master's degrees require independent biotechnology research, sometimes leading to the more advanced research of a PhD. These advanced degrees can lead to higher salaries. All of these degrees provide great career training for a future in the field of biotechnology.

Perhaps no facet of biotechnology is more well-known than the Human Genome Project, where biotechnology researchers sought to identify all the genes in the human DNA. This is a perfect example of the application of a biotechnology degree, and one that has led to very important new technologies that are saving lives today.

• Science
• Biology