Biotechnologists combine biology and technology to find solutions in various industries. An associate degree in biotechnology or laboratory science is the most common path, while a bachelor’s or master’s degree can increase job prospects. Certificate programs are also available for entry-level positions. Graduates can work in medical facilities, research labs, and government sectors. Some may become biological scientists with a doctorate.
Becoming a biotechnologist, also known as a biological technologist, means combining the fields of biology and technology to find scientific solutions in a wide range of industries and sectors, including agriculture and public health. This professional assists a biological scientist with activities such as research or data collection, conducting tests or experiments, and drawing graphs and charts in a medical or diagnostic laboratory environment. Thus, to become a biotechnologist, a significantly high level of training is required, which can be obtained at an institution of higher education.
The most common educational path to becoming a biotechnologist is to earn an Associate of Science (AS) or Applied Science (AAS) degree in biotechnology or laboratory science, which typically takes two years. This program is offered primarily at community colleges, although some technical schools offer it as well. Typical areas of study include cellular and molecular biology, immunology, nanotechnology, health sciences and biomanufacturing. Some educational institutions may require general education courses such as English or mathematics composition, include an internship, train students in the use of computer systems, or offer specialties such as disease control or pharmaceutical research. The associate degree is primarily designed to provide the laboratory skills necessary to become a biotechnologist.
While it is not necessary to do so to become a biotechnologist, some people earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biotechnology, which can be obtained at colleges and universities. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete, and people interested in graduate school need at least a bachelor’s degree as one of the requirements to enter a two-year program. Courses offered on these tracks tend to be more specialized in certain areas, such as food biotechnology or cancer cell biology. Having a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in biotechnology can increase your chances of employment and earning potential due to a higher level of training and knowledge.
Some colleges offer certificate programs, which often take about half the time of associate degree programs. The certificate, however, is for people interested in entry-level positions. People in these positions are called biotechnologists or biological technicians, and some of them work with biotechnologists.
Upon completion of an academic program, graduates can work in a variety of workplaces, including medical facilities, research laboratories, healthcare or environmental organizations, and government sectors. Some biotechnologists may choose to become biological scientists; this profession requires the acquisition of a doctorate.
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