Biotechnology, BS

Program Description

The program is geared for students who already have earned an associate degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete the last two years necessary for a bachelor’s degree. Courses will be offered in the morning and afternoons at the KU Edwards Campus. Students can progress through the program without relocating and complete bachelor’s degree requirements in a timely manner. 

The Associate of Arts, AA at JCCC is a general transfer degree and partners well with the first two years of most bachelor degree programs. Students pursuing the AA may select courses that satisfy both the AA degree requirements and lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree at four-year institutions. The elective hours within the AA allow students to complete additional general education and lower division courses required for specific majors. The AA degree requires completion of 60 credit hours. Meeting with a JCCC counselor is strongly recommended for selection of appropriate courses. 

The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is grounded in biological sciences, chemistry and advanced technology, and employs biological systems to solve scientific challenges that impact society. This program requires selecting one of 3 minors (Discovery and Innovation in Biotechnology, Forensic Science, or Pre-Health Professions) and prepares students for diverse career options such as:   

• developing drugs and therapies for humans, pets, and agricultural animals (Discovery and Innovation)
• producing or manufacturing biological materials like vaccines (Discovery and Innovation)
• engaging in basic research into living systems (Discovery and Innovation, Pre-Health Professions)
• working in food science such as in a local brewery (Discovery and Innovation, Pre-Health Professions)
• assisting in law enforcement by analyzing crime scene evidence (Forensic Science)

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are assured admission with 24+ transferable credit hours with a GPA of 2.5. Only transfer grades of “C-” or higher will count towards KU degree requirements. All grades count in the transferable GPA used for admission decisions. Apply at KU Admissions by selecting the Transfer application and selecting the Edwards Campus. Students must complete specific prerequisite courses prior to being admitted into the Biotechnology program. 

Transfer Credit

To see how your credits transfer to KU, visit KU CredTran, choose Kansas, then JCCC. 

Graduation Requirements

• Students must earn 120 hours for graduation.
• A maximum of 75 hours may be transferred to KU from community colleges. Students should be aware that 45 junior/senior credit hours are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree; 30 of those hours must be at KU; and community college courses do not transfer as junior/senior hours.
• A minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.

KU Core 34 Requirements  

• Students transferring to KU, with an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from JCCC will satisfy KU’s Core 34 general education curriculum.
• Students who transfer to KU, without completing Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting KU requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy KU Core 34 Requirements and KU CredTran.
• Visit the KU Core 34 General Education guide for JCCC equivalents.

It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to check for updates to all transfer information. This transfer guide is provided as a service and is updated as needed. Degree requirements at the four-year colleges are subject to change by those institutions. To ensure you have the most accurate information about the program, you must meet with an advisor at the transfer institution.