Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Kansas

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biotechnology at the University of Kansas combines biological sciences, chemistry, and advanced technology to prepare students to apply biological systems to scientific challenges across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food science, agriculture, environmental science, animal health, and forensic science. It suits students seeking practical bioscience skills, with the curriculum combining laboratory training, scientific communication, research methods, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and a required specialization through one of three minors.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 150: Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology, CHEM 130: General Chemistry I, and CHEM 135: General Chemistry II, alongside mathematics and KU Core 34 requirements. This stage builds the biological, chemical, and quantitative knowledge needed for upper-level biotechnology study.

Second Year: Students strengthen their laboratory and scientific foundation through CHEM 330: Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 331: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, and PHSX 114: College Physics I, while completing statistics and general education requirements. These courses prepare students to understand chemical processes and quantitative methods used in biotechnology.

Third Year: Students move into the biotechnology core with BTEC 300: Research Methods in Biotechnology, BTEC 305: Molecular and Microbiological Techniques, and BTEC 350: Genetics. They also study BTEC 310: Scientific Communications, BTEC 402: Microbiology, and BTEC 600: Biochemistry, developing laboratory, research, communication, and bioscience skills.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes professional practice, research ethics, and applied biotechnology through BTEC 501: Biotechnology Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research, BTEC 540: Biotechnology Capstone I, and BTEC 640: Biotechnology Capstone II. Students also complete their selected minor, allowing them to focus on Discovery and Innovation in Biotechnology, Pre-Health Professions, or Forensic Science.

Focus areas: Discovery and Innovation in Biotechnology, Pre-Health Professions, Forensic Science, genetics, microbiology, molecular and microbiological techniques, biochemistry, research methods, scientific communication, and biotechnology ethics.

Learning outcomes: Students develop foundational knowledge in genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and microbiology; implement laboratory protocols and techniques used across bioscience sectors; analyze information and data using scientific methods and experimental design; and develop career-readiness skills for professional workplaces and graduate education.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The B.S. in Biotechnology is an official University of Kansas degree, and KU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which has reaffirmed KU's accreditation through its institutional review process. The official KU accreditation information does not identify a separate biotechnology-specific professional accreditation for this degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The official University of Kansas biotechnology sources do not publish a specific QS, Guardian, or other employability ranking for the B.S. in Biotechnology. KU does emphasize the program's applied learning, laboratory training, career preparation, and connections to the Kansas City metropolitan area's life-sciences ecosystem.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biotechnology at the University of Kansas is strongly practice-oriented, with students developing laboratory skills through hands-on training with equipment, instruments, and techniques used in biotechnology careers. The curriculum combines laboratory work with research methods, molecular and microbiological techniques, scientific communication, career preparation, and a two-part capstone, while KU also provides pathways into undergraduate research and professional experiences.

Students gain practical experience through:

Research Methods: BTEC 300: Research Methods in Biotechnology introduces students to methods used to investigate biotechnology questions and develop research skills.
Molecular Techniques: BTEC 305: Molecular and Microbiological Techniques provides hands-on training in laboratory techniques used across biotechnology-related careers.
Microbiology Laboratory Skills: The program provides laboratory exposure to biotechnology equipment, instruments, protocols, and techniques, allowing students to practice skills relevant to bioscience workplaces.
Capstone Projects: Students complete BTEC 540: Biotechnology Capstone I and BTEC 640: Biotechnology Capstone II, providing a substantial hands-on culminating experience before graduation.
Collaborative Learning: KU describes the program as incorporating collaborative projects, with students working in an applied environment designed to mirror professional biotechnology settings.
Research Opportunities: The Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships helps students identify undergraduate research opportunities and supports programs such as the Emerging Scholars Program, Undergraduate Research Awards, and Undergraduate Research Travel Awards.
Research Laboratories: KU encourages undergraduate students to connect directly with faculty research laboratories in Molecular Biosciences and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, giving students opportunities to participate in ongoing scientific research.
Bioengineering Research: Biotechnology students have participated in research internships with the Institute for Bioengineering Research, including experimental work, data collection, and presenting findings during laboratory group meetings.
Data Analysis: KU's broader undergraduate research opportunities include training in R programming for data analysis, providing a relevant digital tool for working with scientific datasets.
Scientific Communication: BTEC 310: Scientific Communications develops students' ability to communicate scientific information, while BTEC 415: Career Readiness in Biological and Health Sciences adds professional preparation.
Industry Connection: The program is supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) and emphasizes connections with Kansas City's life-sciences ecosystem and local institutions and organizations.
Specialized Research Facilities: KU research infrastructure includes facilities such as the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Lab, Protein Structure & X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory, Synthetic Chemical Biology Core, and Nanofabrication Facility, providing access to advanced research capabilities across the university.
Off-Campus Research: The Howieson Opportunity Fund can support undergraduate biological-science research at off-campus laboratories, field research sites, or scientific conferences, with awards of up to $1,500.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biotechnology at the University of Kansas prepares graduates for careers across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical research, biomanufacturing, food science and related life-science industries. Its hands-on laboratory training, career-focused minor options and required capstone help students develop practical skills that can support direct entry into industry or further study.

Career roles: Clinical Research Associate, Bioprocessing Technician, Quality Control Analyst, Regulatory Affairs Specialist.

Career support and industry opportunities:

Career services: KU's University Career Center, HireJayhawks and Jayhawk Career Network connect students with internships, employment opportunities, career fairs and employer recruitment activities. KU's biotechnology degree-completion guidance specifically directs students to the University Career Center to secure an internship or full-time position.
Professional development: The program develops career readiness, project management, regulatory science, leadership and scientific communication, helping students prepare for professional environments as well as graduate programs.
Employment demand: KU reports that the Kansas City region has more than 200 bioscience companies employing over 20,000 people, with local industry identifying demand for biotechnology-trained scientists with technical, communication and teamwork skills.
Salary figures: Not stated as a specific salary figure for KU biotechnology graduates on the official program pages. KU's current program information states that biotechnology careers have competitive wages, but does not publish a program-specific median or salary range.
Industry partnerships: Students have completed capstone research with input and support from companies including Hill's Pet Nutrition, ICON, Catalent, Likarda and Boehringer Ingelheim. KU states that these companies have helped faculty pilot real-world capstone research aligned with bioscience-industry talent needs.
Industry ecosystem: The program is supported by the Johnson County Education Research Triangle (JCERT) and was developed in response to biotechnology workforce needs in the Kansas City region.
Accreditation value: The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, providing institutional accreditation for the degree awarded by KU.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter biotechnology and life-science employment in areas such as clinical research, pharmaceutical production, bioprocessing, quality control and laboratory work, while the program also supports progression into graduate and health-professional education.
Graduate pathway: KU's biotechnology program has supported graduates moving toward advanced study, including examples of students planning master's degrees and Ph.D. programs, while the Pre-Health Professions option provides preparation for medical and other health-professional programs.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can pursue master's or doctoral study in biotechnology, biological sciences, biomedical sciences or related research fields, or use the Pre-Health Professions pathway as preparation for professional programs such as medicine and other health-related fields. KU also offers the NIH-supported Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) for eligible recent graduates seeking additional mentored research preparation for competitive biomedical graduate programs.