The minimum credits required to earn the master’s degree are 31 based on completing the core courses with one track. If you complete multiple tracks within the degree your total credits will change.
$875
Per Credit
$875 per credit whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state, and financial aid is available for students who qualify.
There are no additional course or program fees, however, textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition. You will not pay segregated fees (fees in addition to tuition that cover the cost of student-organized activities, facility maintenance, and operations) and you will not be charged a technology fee. If software or special technology is required in one of your courses, it will be provided to you and is included in your tuition.
Blaze a trail in the advancing field of biotechnology.
Every day, biotechnology is working to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems and moving forward with revolutionary solutions. Whether your experience is based in healthcare, agriculture, or industry—the online Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology is an ideal choice for busy adults who are seeking advanced education and need the flexibility an online program offers.
You’ll graduate from the program with an understanding of the principles and techniques of biotechnology, including ethical, safety, and privacy concerns; funding; intellectual property and patents; professional and technical communication; experimental design and analysis; and organizational leadership—all within the scope of the global biotechnology industry.
To complete the degree, you will choose one or more specialization tracks:
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Business Management
Research and Development
Universities of Wisconsin partners in Applied Biotechnology include: UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison*, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater.
*Please note: UW-Madison has decided to leave the master’s degree in Applied Biotechnology and graduate certificate in Applied Bioinformatics as a campus partner. The UW-Madison graduate admissions portal currently remains open for Spring 2025. Admissions for both programs will likely be closed by mid-December, 2024.
Program Description
Coursework in the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology focuses on developing a foundation in biotechnology principles and techniques through the core curriculum, then, you will choose one or more specialization tracks. There are no electives.
Students are required to complete, at minimum, eleven courses (31 credits) to earn their degree.
6 required core courses (3 credits each)
Specialization track consisting of three courses (3 credits each)
Capstone prep (1 credit)
Capstone project course (3 credits)
The capstone project course is an opportunity to gain valuable, practical knowledge through a project-based experience. Students may be able to complete the project at their current place of employment, or another professional organization. You’ll design your project to align with your interests and career goals.
Career Opportunities
Biotechnology is a dynamic field offering a broad range of careers. Because biotechnology is a diverse field spanning a variety of workplace scenarios, salaries will vary by job, location, company size, and required education.
Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in biological or chemical science, microbiology, biomedical engineering, or similar. Career advancement may require additional education, such as a master’s degree or PhD, plus professional experience. Employers will be interested in hiring employees with the knowledge and experience to successfully execute job responsibilities and navigate the often complex regulations in biotechnology.
Positions can be found at established or startup companies, medical laboratories, or at research facilities within a university, government, or healthcare system.
Research Scientist
Bioinformatics Scientists and Technicians
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Quality assurance Manager
Research and Development Manager
Marketing or Business Development Manager
Admissions
To be eligible for the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology, students must meet the following requirements:
Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA)
Prerequisite coursework:
Two semesters of college-level lab coursework in biology and/or chemistry. To satisfy the prerequisite, you must have completed either two semesters of biology, two semesters of chemistry, or one semester each of biology and chemistry, and all coursework must have a lab component.
Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission and should contact an enrollment adviser for more information. Program academic directors have the option to waive one or more of the above prerequisites based on relevant work experience.
Aptitude tests, such as the GMAT or GRE, are not required for admission.
You will also need to submit the following application materials:
Official college transcripts
Your resume
Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic)
A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree
Wisconsin Online Multi-Campus Collaborative programs are offered by one or more Universities of Wisconsin. These degrees and certificates combine the diverse, interdisciplinary expertise, resources, and talents of UW campuses across the state.
Multi-campus Collaborative programs may be semester- or competency-based, individual courses, or bootcamps, allowing you to choose the format that meets your needs.
To apply, choose a home campus from any of the partner campuses in your program. Campus resources such as financial aid, career services, library resources, and more will be through your home campus, as well as your final transcript.
