+- Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb)
+-- Forum: Main Category (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Main-Category)
+--- Forum: General Education-Related Discussion (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-General-Education-Related-Discussion)
+--- Thread: Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? (/Thread-Biotechnology-Degree-Where-Do-I-Begin)
Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? - BioLinTician - 06-05-2015
Hi, I'm pretty new here and I've read over the forum over the last 2 weeks but I'm still a bit confused as to where to start with all this. My chosen career path is Biotechnology and I did notice that the 3 schools here do offer a degree in biology. I'm wondering if that degree would allow me to work in the biotech field. Or how would I convert this to a biotechnology degree? Are there additional courses I would need to take on top of this BS in Biology in order to have a BS in Biotech? This is also my first time going to college. Any information would be helpful as I certainly feel lost. Also, could I enroll in one of the Big-3 and use financial AID to test out of the classes or would this be a complex process?
Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? - bluebooger - 06-05-2015
this is a typical biotechnology major
description at top
course list at bottom
https://www.york.cuny.edu/produce-and-print/contents/bulletin/school-of-arts-and-sciences/biology/biotechnology-bs
you probably aren't going to get enough lab work going strictly through the big 3
Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? - sanantone - 06-05-2015
If you want a degree in biotechnology, then you're going to have to attend a school that offers biotechnology. None of the Big 3 offer this degree. If you start at one of the Big 3 and decide to switch to a school with this degree, then you will be subject to their policies on alternative sources of credit. Most schools have a 25% residency requirement (you have to complete a quarter of your degree with their courses: online or in person), a limit on the number of CLEP/DSST/AP tests you can use, and only accept other ACE credits for military training.
TESC's BA in Biology requires the typical lab courses one would see in a traditional biology program, but not all of these are available at TESC. You would have to take them somewhere else. University of New England is a good but expensive option. I believe Ocean County College also offers many lab courses online. What you would be missing in a biology program are the biotechnology courses. Excelsior and COSC don't really have a traditional biology program. Excelsior has a natural science degree with a concentration in biology. COSC has a general studies degree with a concentration in biology. Neither one of them are as heavy on chemistry, physics, and laboratory requirements as a typical biology program.
Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? - cookderosa - 06-05-2015
BioLinTician Wrote:Hi, I'm pretty new here and I've read over the forum over the last 2 weeks but I'm still a bit confused as to where to start with all this. My chosen career path is Biotechnology and I did notice that the 3 schools here do offer a degree in biology. I'm wondering if that degree would allow me to work in the biotech field. Or how would I convert this to a biotechnology degree? Are there additional courses I would need to take on top of this BS in Biology in order to have a BS in Biotech? This is also my first time going to college. Any information would be helpful as I certainly feel lost. Also, could I enroll in one of the Big-3 and use financial AID to test out of the classes or would this be a complex process?
The big 3 don't teach the courses that make up the biology degrees- they accept your credits that you transfer into those degrees. It's a little confusing, but in a nutshell, those 3 probably won't be the right fit for you....don't fret, there are zillions of colleges that will work. You can use CLEP in traditional degree plans, the amount and which courses will vary depending on the school you choose. A community college might accept the most, and then transfer into a 4 year school (plus you'll get science labs) so that might be something to consider. I'd suggest starting with your local community college's AS Transfer degree program and see if the colleges it transfers into offer biotechnology. The CC advisor may be able to help.
Biotechnology Degree, Where Do I Begin? - sweetcrabhoney - 06-08-2015
I'm doing a similar degree plan. I have to take close to 8 science courses to get into the graduate school. (pre-med )
I think it's best to determine the requirement of your career/school and then find a way to do that. You can easily get a AS in general studies by testing out off all the courses and then transfer to another college that has that degree. The good news is ... it seems that there are online college that provide that degree but they are Master's programs. If you contact those graduate schools and determine their qualification to join you will save so much time and money... it's what I did.
Best of luck.