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Program Transfers
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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Program Overview
Madison College's Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program offers hands-on training needed to be successful in today's biotech job market.
The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program is a good fit for recent high school graduates, professionals returning to the workforce or changing careers, or those who want to gain new skills to advance their current career.
Program Prerequisites
- A high school degree, including a year of biology is required.
- A year of high school algebra and a year of high school chemistry are helpful.
- Biology, chemistry and algebra classes are offered at Madison College to help meet requirements.
Program Courses
Courses emphasize workplace skills in communication, safety, time management and professionalism. Classes will introduce you to technical skills in:
- Growing bacteria
- Working with DNA
- Purifying proteins
- Performing laboratory tests
- Working with mammalian cell culture
All Biotechnology Laboratory Technician students must complete an internship before they can graduate.
Courses are developed with local industry advice and are taught in fully-equipped laboratories that allow you access to the supplies and equipment used in the biotech industry.
The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program can be completed in as little as two years or up to three years. See Biotechnology Laboratory Technician - 3 year program option.
Upon graduation you can start a career or transfer to a four-year college.
Transfer Options
Biotechnology Laboratory technician associate degree graduates can transfer as a junior to UW-Platteville to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Additional transfer pathways include: University of Maryland Global Campus (B.S. Biotechnology, online), UW-Stout (B.S. Management, online), UW-Green Bay (B.A.S Organizational Leadership Business Administration, online), UW-Oshkosh (B.A.S. Leadership and Organizational Studies, online), Northwestern Health Sciences University (B.S. Human Biology)
These online options are ideal for Associates of Applied Science graduates who are employed in the industry while completing their 4-year degree.
Students will get maximum credit transfer if they take the indicated general education courses in the Biotechnology Transfer Option Curriculum (2-year plan).
Program Details
Students in the Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program can attend full or part time.
Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Program classes may be offered at Madison College Truax campus.
Careers
Earning your Associate Degree in Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
Biotechnology Research Technicians
Complete scientific work in academic research laboratories, government research laboratories and biotechnology companies under direct supervision.
Biotechnology Production Technicians
Produce useful products using biological systems including bacterial and yeast cells, plants and animals.
Laboratory Technicians
Complete scientific work and conduct experiments in research and development or production laboratories in various biological and biochemical companies and private or public agencies.
Quality Control/Assurance Technicians
Check product performance/characteristics to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize liability using physical, chemical and biological test equipment and instrumentation to ensure that the product is within acceptable tolerance.
Additional Careers
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Research Scientists
- Entry-level Scientists
- Associate Scientists
- Process Scientist
Over 90% of Madison Area Technical College Biotech students are placed in related jobs. Graduates have worked in more than 50 different companies in the Dane County area.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First SemesterChoose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Choose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Choose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Second SemesterChoose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Choose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Third SemesterChoose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Choose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Fourth SemesterChoose the following course or review degree progress report for transfer options:Elective3 creditsRecommended Electives -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Application Dates
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2024
Fall 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:- High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your new career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
The terms of this agreement are limited to students who have completed an associates of applied science degree and admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.Students who complete the Biotechnology Laboratory Technician Associate Degree may transfer up to 61 credits from that degree to UW-Platteville to be applied to the baccalaureate degree in Biology.Wisconsin Private Schools
A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University University.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.Out-of-State Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.Students must complete the Biotechnology Laboratory Technical program at Madison College and meet the admission requirements for their intended major at Northwestern Health Sciences University. Up to 60 credits are eligible for transfer to NWHSU. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and submit all application materials by the admission deadlines established. Students who complete college algebra or higher (at Madison College) will fulfill MATH 1005 Foundations of Math. Speak with your Madison College advisor for a complete list of required courses in both academic programs. -
Career Outcomes
MATC Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program graduates are prepared to:
- Follow policies and procedures when working in regulated laboratory environments.
- Demonstrate health and safety techniques.
- Demonstrate a variety of math and technical laboratory skills necessary to perform in multiple areas of the biotechnology laboratory.
- Use appropriate computer software and hardware skills to accomplish biotechnology lab tasks.
- Manage laboratory data.
- Apply active listening, oral, and written communication skills to follow procedures.
- Adhere to professional and ethical standards in the biotechnology profession.
- Demonstrate technical knowledge of specialized techniques and instrumentation.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 8 13 5 Number of Surveys Sent 8 13 5 Number of Surveys Returned 5 7 3 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 5 4 3 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 57.10% 100.00% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 42.90% 0.00% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 5 4 3 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 3 4 3 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 60.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 0 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 40.00% 0.00% 0.00% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.9 4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 5 7 3 Very Satisfied (4) 3 6 3 Percent Very Satisfied 60.00% 85.70% 100.00% Satisfied (3) 2 1 0 Percent Satisfied 40.00% 14.30% 0.00% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 0 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 5 7 3 Preparation for Getting a Job 4 4 1 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 80.00% 57.10% 33.30% Career Change 1 2 1 Percent Career Change 20.00% 28.60% 33.30% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 0 0 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Preparation for Further Education 0 1 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 0.00% 14.30% 33.30% Personal Interest 0 0 0 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 5 4 3 Before Enrollment 2 0 0 Percent Before Enrollment 40.00% 0.00% 0.00% While Attending the College 2 2 1 Percent While Attending the College 40.00% 50.00% 33.30% After Training at the College 1 2 2 Percent After Training at the College 20.00% 50.00% 66.70% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 5 4 3 In College District 5 4 3 Percent In College District 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 4 2 Average Monthly Wage $3,010 $3,526 $4,137 Average Hourly Wage $17.50 $20.50 $24.05 Average Work Hours per Week 45 41.8 40.7 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 0 Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week 20 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Aldevron Associate Scientist 1 Virent, inc Plant Technician * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
