Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

Catalog Year 2025-2028

Based on VCCS Curriculum for Biology

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Students must complete an approved transferable associate degree from their Virginia community college with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for guaranteed admission to JMU. Students who do not qualify for guaranteed admission are encouraged to apply to JMU through the regular admission process. For additional details about requirements for guaranteed admission, please see the JMU letter of intent for your community college: www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-gaa.shtml.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: www.jmu.edu/transfer

• Register Intent to Transfer: Transfer applicants from a VCCS institution intending to apply through the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) must review requirements and submit a Letter of Intent prior to applying: www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer-GAA.shtml

• Admission Application: By March 1 for Fall or October 15 for Spring at www.jmu.edu/admissions/apply/apply-online.shtml

• Financial Aid: www.jmu.edu/financialaid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Deadline is March 1. Learn more at studentaid.gov.

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and James Madison University within your first year. College Connect is available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org or you can make an appointment directly with a JMU Next Transfer Advisor.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Biotechnology is an inherently interdisciplinary major. Students take traditional STEM coursework in areas such as biology, chemistry, math, and physics. Beyond this, they are extensively cross-trained in areas such as bioinformatics, bioethics, regulation and policy, and innovation systems. Communication, project management, holistic problem solving, and systems thinking are other noteworthy hallmarks of our program. Learning-by-doing is another priority. It is common for our students to take 2-3 hands-on laboratory courses every semester while in the program.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: An approved transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College will waive general education requirements at JMU. The list of approved transferable associate degrees can be found at www.jmu.edu/transfer/vccs-transfer/asdegrees.shtml.

• Dual Enrollment -- Completion of Associate Degree in HS: Students who complete a transferable associate degree from a Virginia Community College through Dual Enrollment (DE) will not be eligible for guaranteed admission but will receive the general education waiver at JMU. DE associate degree earners who want to make progress toward their intended major should follow the curriculum in this guide.

• Credit for Prior Learning: Credit for prior learning may be awarded differently at JMU than at your previous institution. JMU accepts and reviews AP, IB CIE, and CLEP examinations for all students with eligible scores. JMU will complete an independent review of the test score to apply credit to your JMU student record. Other credit for prior learning is awarded on a per case basis for the ADP and RN-BSN programs in consultation with the department of expertise. Credit for learning acquired in military service is awarded by the registrar's office using the ACE guide credit recommendation for study/experience listed on the military transcript and in consultation with the department of expertise.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at JMU.

Is This College Right For Me?

• JMU is a mid to large size institution that behaves more like a smaller institution. Faculty and staff hold students as the top priority. JMU has a 96% satisfaction rate. 88% of classes have fewer than 50 students. JMU is the #1 most recommended public university in the US by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education; JMU is the #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges. Learn more about our college at www.jmu.edu and www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• There is no limit to the number of credits you can transfer to JMU, but at least 50% of the credits required for graduation in your major must be taken at a 4-year college or university, and at least 25% must be taken at JMU. (Most JMU majors require 120 credits, so 60 must come from a 4-year and 30 must be taken at JMU.)

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at JMU.

• Students who may be eligible for Virginia's Two-Year College Transfer Grant should transfer in the fall or spring immediately following the completion of their associate degree. Learn more about the state transfer grant here: https://www.schev.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid/federal-state-financia...

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Explore potential careers, salary ranges, and job outlooks at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• Recent Biotech graduates speak highly of the program. 95% of recent Biotech grads were glad that they chose the major and would recommend it to another student with similar interests. One hundred percent of students reported that their Biotech faculty were 'on their side' and wanted them to do well.

• Recent graduates are pursuing Ph.D., Master's, and Professional Health degrees at places like Johns Hopkins University, Harvard, Georgetown University, Boston University, Northwestern University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Others have gotten jobs with Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson, Booz Allen Hamilton, GENEWIZ, and AstraZeneca.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Generally, two-thirds of transfer applicants are admitted to JMU. Competitive applicants will have mostly As & Bs and have completed at least one class in each of our four core areas (English, mathematics, lab science, and social science).

• JMU defines a transfer student as a student that has graduated from high school (or holds a GED equivalency) AND has taken courses in college after high school graduation.

• Learn more about applying at https://www.jmu.edu/transfer/ or www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Biotech students enjoy a wide variety of electives in Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Sciences, Engineering, and Math and Statistics. Minors in General Business, Computer Science, Pre-Professional Health (e.g., Pre-med), Interdisciplinary Honors Studies, and Science Technology and Society appeal to many students.

• Real-world experiences set graduates up for advanced degree programs (~50% of grads) and industry jobs (~50% of grads). Approximately 75% of Biotech students participate in an extended mentored research experiences with faculty at JMU or beyond. Industrial internships with partners such as Merck & Co. are also abundant and encouraged.

• Multiple biotech/biology-focused student organizations help bring Biotech students together to explore career opportunities and build professional networks.