The Program

Please note that applying more than two courses to meet requirements for any two credentials (i.e. 'double-dipping requirements more than twice) is not allowed according to UMass Academic Regulations. This may make meeting requirements for a Biotech Certificate difficult for Biochemistry and Microbiology majors. Please discuss options with Dr. Heather Reed (see below).

Commercial and industrial interests in biotechnology comprise ever-increasing employment opportunities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and around the world. Future industrial growth in the Commonwealth (and beyond) will continue to drive employment opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds in the biological sciences that have practical training in scientific methods and laboratory practices in the many areas of research that support the biotechnology industry. The Biotechnology Certificate program is designed to prepare students to meet the needs of this growing industrial base by providing training in several different areas of biological science that make up the basis of biotechnology. This certificate program requires that in combination with their major program of study in the home department, students take a minimum of 15 credits of approved courses covering topics in the area of biotechnology. These courses will include an introductory course in biotechnology and/or molecular biology such as ANIMLSCI 285 (3 credits) - Animal Cell & Molecular Biology, BIOCHEM 285 (3 credits) - Molecular Biology, BIOLOGY 285 - Cellular & Molecular Biology or the equivalent (see below under required courses), MICROBIO 385 - Laboratory in Biotechnology (4 credits), a laboratory based independent study or internship (3 credits minimum) and a minimum of 5 credits of biotechnology related courses taught in different departments across campus including: Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Vet & Animal Sciences and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program will be required to maintain a GPA of 2.50 or higher in courses in the program and no course with a grade lower than a C will be counted toward the Certificate. Up to two courses used to fulfill Certificate requirements may also be used to fulfill department major requirements.

Integrating the knowledge and information presented in courses taught by faculty from these different departments into a Certificate Program in Biotechnology will prepare students to meet and exceed the expectations of this growing industrial base. This certificate program offers undergraduate students recognition for the interdisciplinary training they have received in biotechnology.

The courses included in this Certificate Program are selected based on their content preparing students for job opportunities in biotechnology. Learning outcomes from this program of study are directed to ensure that students are able to:

Understand complex biological systems and their utility in biotechnology
Successfully complete projects using a variety of laboratory techniques with accuracy, precision and safety
Interpret and present scientific information accurately and precisely

Overview of the Certificate Program

There are a variety of biotechnology related courses already being taught on campus that satisfy the 5-credit requirement listed above. Many of these are listed below. We also envision a number of courses to be offered in the future, which would add to the list. An introductory course, providing a foundation in concepts of biotechnology (see below under required courses) will be required of all students in the program. A key component of this certificate program is hands-on laboratory experience for the students, which will be obtained via a laboratory-based independent study or internships which have been approved by the program director. The Laboratory in Biotechnology course (MICROBIO 385, and ANIMLSCI 385) is designed to provide much of the underpinning for this experience and is also a required course for the certificate.

The Department of Microbiology is the administrative home of the biotechnology lab course (MICROBIO 385) and the Biotechnology Certificate Program's director, who advises and tracks students in the program as well as assisting in student placement for laboratory based independent study and internships.

Admission: Students wishing to obtain a Biotechnology Certificate are encouraged to have their planned course work and laboratory experience approved by the director as early in their program as possible. This process of approval should begin prior to the completion of the required laboratory course, MICROBIO 385.

Certification: Upon entering the program, students must submit an application form for the certificate as well as a formal request to have their transcripts sent to the program director for approval. Once all the requirements are completed, the applicant will receive a certificate acknowledging their completion of the program. The award of this certificate will also be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Required Courses

A laboratory based independent study or internship (3 credits minimum)

One of the following introductory courses:

BIOLOGY 285 (3cr) - Cellular & Molecular Biology - Taught Spring and Fall Semester
ANIMLSCI 285 (3cr) - Animal Cell & Molecular Biology – Taught every Spring Semester
BIOCHEM 285 (3cr) - Molecular Biology - Taught Spring and Fall Semester

One of the following laboratory courses:

MICROBIO 385 (4cr) – Laboratory in Biotechnology – Taught every Spring Semester
ANIMLSCI 385 (4cr) - Laboratory in Biotechnology - Taught every Spring Semester
BIOCHEM 426 (3cr) - General Biochemistry Lab - Taught Spring and Fall Semester

Existing Biotechnology related courses (5 credits minimum):

MICROBIO 310 (3cr) - General Microbiology – Taught Spring and Fall Semester (excludes Microbio 311)
MICROBIO 311 (3cr) - Foundations in Microbiology - Taught Spring and Fall Semester (excludes Microbio 310)
MICROBIO 312 (3cr) - General Microbiology Lab – Taught Spring and Fall Semester
MICROBIO 265 (1cr) – Introductory Microbiology Lab - Taught Spring and Fall Semester
MICROBIO 330 (3cr) – Microbial Genetics - Taught every Spring Semester
STOCKSCH 597A (3cr) - Phyto/Bioremediation - Taught alternate Fall Semesters
MICROBIO 542 (3cr) – Immunology Lab – Taught every Spring Semester
MICROBIO 570 (3cr) - Animal Virology – Taught every Spring Semester
MICROBIO 480 (3cr) - Microbial Physiology - Taught every Spring Semester
MICROBIO 582 (3cr) – Parasitology – Taught intermittent Spring Semesters
MICROBIO 562 (3cr) – Environmental Biotechnology - Taught alternating Spring Semesters
BIOLOGY 283 (3cr) – General Genetics – Taught every Spring Semester
BIOLOGY 510 (3cr) – Plant Physiology – Taught every Spring Semester

Contact Information

Dr. Heather Reed
337 Morrill 1
Tel: 413-545-2531
Email: hreed@umass.edu

Biotechnology Certificate Program Application