Biotechnology Associate Degree

Northern offers a two-year associate degree in biotechnology.
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About The Program
College of Arts and Sciences

Biotechnology Associate Degree

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Our associate degree in Biotechnology is the study of technology based on biology, especially pertinent to agriculture, food science, and medicine.

Biotechnology is a fascinating combination of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology. Biotechnology is applied in many fields, including chemical engineering, information technology, and biorobotics.

Biotechnology is used to improve agricultural crops, conduct recombinant DNA procedures, and produce and improve pharmaceuticals.

A strong background in biotechnology is a valuable employee asset in U.S. clinical and research laboratories.

NSU is a member of South Dakota Biotech, an association which directly links Northern to more than 65 companies and organizations in the state and to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) both nationally and globally.

At NSU, we encourage you to explore your individual interests, work closely with professors on research projects, and present your research results at state, regional, and national meetings as well as in publications.

 

 

Careers 

Demand for graduates in biotechnology is increasing and expected to continue, due to laboratory, research center, and hospital growth. Northern’s biotechnology program prepares students for entry-level positions that will meet the growing needs of the biotechnology industry nationwide.

Many biotechnology graduates seek employment in laboratory settings assisting researchers in a variety of areas, including pharmaceuticals and medical research, as well as governmental and legal issues. Potential job titles include environmental engineering technician, agricultural and food science technician, biological technician, environmental health and safety technician, chemical technician, and medical or clinical laboratory technician.

NSU's AS degree in biotechnology pairs well with a BS degree in biology, environmental sciences, or chemistry.

For more information on careers in your major or help choosing a major, contact the NSU Career Center.

Internships 

NSU biotechnology students are required to complete a 2-credit internship, which provides invaluable hands-on experience that complements their academic coursework. This internship is a key component of NSU's biotechnology degree, giving students a competititve edge at hiring time.

NSU partners with local and regional companies, including Glacial Lakes Energy LLC, Avera St. Lukes Hospital, South Dakota Department of Public Health, Huron School District, and Redfield Energy LLC to offer internship experiences.

Other regional businesses supporting biotechnology student internships include South Dakota Wheat Growers Association, AlphaGenix, Monsanto, Braasch Biotech LLC, PharmaCline, Exemplar Genetics, 3M, Dow AgroSciences, and Cibus.

Northern's biotechnology program relies heavily on hands-on experimentation and lab techniques along with the mandatory internship. Because of this practical training and the need for qualified workers in this field, students may have the opportunity to obtain permanent employment at their internship site.

NSU College of Arts and Sciences Internships

Scholarships 

Arts and Sciences Scholarships

NSU Scholarships

Courses 

Biotechnology (AS) Course Requirements

Plans of Study 

Biotechnology (AS) Plan of Study

Program Success/Outcomes 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“Northern has become like a second home to me. Growing up so close to Northern, I have always felt a connection with this campus. When I first toured campus on a volleyball trip, I knew that this is where I belonged. The community support that NSU has is unreal; no other South Dakota university can compare to it. Northern has some of the best resources in the state and it is constantly continuing to improve. The professors here truly care about their students and want what is best for them. I am offered endless opportunities here to prepare me to be successful for life after college. Another huge reason why I chose Northern was the volleyball program. For how small Northern is, the sports teams are surprisingly successful. This year’s volleyball season has been especially exciting. Preseason polls ranked our team No. 1 in our conference. We also have a lot of motivated new freshmen, which makes practices even more competitive. Because of this increase in competition, we are all motivated to constantly push ourselves. This will be an exciting season for our team, and I can’t wait to see where we will end up.” – Peyton Ellingson #beNORTHERN #unleashYOURpotential #NorthernStateU #GoWolves

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Contact Information 

For more information about this degree, contact Jessica Ness, or call 605-626-2272 or 605-626-7900. Or, contact NSU Admissions at 605-626-2544 or admissions@northern.edu.

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