Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Biotechnology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biology and Biotechnology at WPI combines biology with hands-on biotechnology, giving students the opportunity to investigate living systems and use biological processes to address challenges in medicine, disease treatment, biotechnology, and sustainability. It suits students who want a practical, research-focused biology education, with opportunities to work with laboratory and computational tools, collaborate across disciplines, and build a portfolio of real projects.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with the foundations of cellular, molecular, and environmental biology through BB 1101 Foundations of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, BB 1102 Foundations of Ecology and Environmental Biology, and BB 1801 Foundations of Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory. The first year also includes the introductory chemistry sequence, mathematics, and WPI's Great Problems Seminar, where students work collaboratively on real-world problems.

Second Year: Students can progress into subjects such as BB 2002 Microbiology, BB 2550 Cell Biology, and BB 2920 Genetics, building a stronger understanding of microorganisms, cells, and genetic systems. Laboratory-based courses such as BB 2802 Enzymes, Proteins, and Purification Laboratory and BB 2815 Microbial and Molecular Investigations Laboratory provide opportunities to connect biological concepts with experimental techniques.

Third Year: Students deepen their understanding of biological systems through advanced courses in areas such as molecular biology, physiology, ecology, genetics, and bioinformatics, while completing WPI's Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). The IQP gives students the opportunity to apply science and technology to problems with societal or environmental relevance, including projects carried out at WPI's project centers in the U.S. and abroad.

Fourth Year: Students bring their academic and research skills together through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP), WPI's senior capstone experience. Biology and Biotechnology MQPs can be conducted in research laboratories, WPI's ProjectLab, or off-campus settings such as medical centers, universities, and biotechnology companies, culminating in a substantial project report and presentation.

Focus areas

Cellular and molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, genetics, physiology, ecology and environmental biology, bioinformatics, biomanufacturing, drug discovery, disease mechanisms, tissue regeneration, biosensors

Learning outcomes

Students develop quantitative and laboratory skills for biological research, learn to formulate hypotheses and design experiments, analyze and interpret scientific data, critically evaluate scientific literature, understand the broader scientific and societal context of their work, communicate scientific findings effectively, and collaborate in professional scientific environments.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

WPI presents Biology and Biotechnology as a science degree rather than an engineering program, so the university does not identify an ABET accreditation for this B.S. program. Instead, the curriculum emphasizes research skills, project-based learning, scientific communication, and preparation for professional careers and graduate or professional education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

WPI reports an average starting salary of $55,084 for Biology and Biotechnology bachelor's graduates in its Class of 2025 First Destination Survey. The university also identifies employers including Pfizer, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb, Massachusetts General Hospital, and GSK, while its career-outlook page reports an average starting salary of $60,881 and lists employers such as Moderna, Biogen, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, AbbVie, Genentech, Amgen, and Gilead Sciences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

WPI's Biology and Biotechnology program is built around project-based learning, so students repeatedly apply biological theory through laboratory experimentation, computational analysis, research, and team projects. Students have access to interdisciplinary facilities at the Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, the Cell Engineering Research Equipment Suite, and Microscopy and Histology Cores, where they can work with technologies used in modern biotechnology and biomedical research.

Students develop practical skills including PCR, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, ImageJ, CRISPR-Cas9, Python, R, Benchling, GeneStudio, mass spectrometry, chromatography, and assay development. Their project work can also involve faculty researchers, industry partners, community organizations, medical centers, universities, and biotechnology companies:

Molecular and cellular laboratory techniques: Students practice PCR, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and cell-culture protocols for investigating gene expression, protein function, and cellular behavior.
Computational biology: Students use Python, R, Benchling, GeneStudio, and ImageJ for genomic analysis, gene-function studies, imaging, and biological data analysis.
Cell Engineering Research Equipment Suite: Students can access flow cytometry, automated cell imaging, droplet digital PCR, and robotic liquid handlers for quantitative analysis of engineered cells.
Microscopy and Histology Cores: Students can train with confocal and fluorescence microscopes, cryostats, and microtomes for biological imaging and tissue analysis.
Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center: The Gateway Park facility brings biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and chemical engineering researchers together in shared interdisciplinary laboratories.
Major Qualifying Project: The senior MQP can be conducted in WPI research labs, ProjectLab, or off-campus locations such as University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Tufts University, Brown University, Harvard University, and biotechnology companies.
Global projects: Students can undertake project work through WPI's 50+ Global Project Centers across six continents, including projects addressing environmental health, sustainability, and biological challenges.
Industry projects: Biology and Biotechnology students have completed projects with organizations on topics including surgical temperature regulation and the effects of lead exposure on soil microbiomes.
Biotechnology and drug discovery: Students can gain experience with mass spectrometry, chromatography, assay development, biomanufacturing, and bioprocessing through interdisciplinary laboratory work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology and Biotechnology prepares graduates for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, bioinformatics, healthcare, and scientific analysis, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate and professional education. WPI reports graduates working at organizations including Pfizer, Moderna, Biogen, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, AbbVie, Genentech, Amgen, Regeneron, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Typical career roles include Biotechnology Researcher, Bioinformatician, Geneticist, Biomedical Researcher, with additional opportunities in pharmaceutical research, clinical research, public health, laboratory science, and biotechnology project management:

Career Development: WPI's career-development resources connect Biology and Biotechnology students with career information, employers, job opportunities, and professional preparation. The university's career-outlook page specifically identifies roles such as Engineer, Analyst, Researcher, Project Manager, Consultant, Designer, Specialist, Coordinator, Developer, and Scientist for graduates in the field.
Employment and salary: WPI's Biology and Biotechnology career-outlook page reports an average starting salary of $60,881, while the program page reports $55,084 from the Class of 2025 First Destination Survey.
Industry connections: WPI reports Biology and Biotechnology graduates being hired by leading life-science organizations including Pfizer, Moderna, Biogen, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, AbbVie, Genentech, Amgen, Regeneron, Gilead Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Project-based professional preparation: Students complete substantial projects for industry partners, community organizations, and research institutions, allowing them to graduate with a portfolio of completed work rather than relying only on classroom coursework.
Graduate-school preparation: WPI lists graduate destinations including WPI, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Tufts University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Boston University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
STEM designation: The program is STEM-designated, and WPI states that this can provide eligible international students with extended U.S. work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Accelerated graduate study: Students can pursue WPI's BS/MS in Biotechnology, allowing eligible students to earn both degrees in as few as five years.

Further Academic Progression:
After the B.S., students can continue into WPI's M.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, M.S. in Biotechnology, or Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Students interested in biotechnology can also use the accelerated BS/MS pathway to combine undergraduate and graduate study and complete both degrees in as few as five years.