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Financial Aid
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Program Overview
Madison College’s Biotechnology Laboratory Technician two-year associate degree program will provide you with the hands-on training you need to be successful in today’s biotech job market.
Biotechnology is a popular choice at Madison College because so many different sectors involve biotech. You can take your career in many directions and enjoy a bright future in terms of employability and average salary.
This program is a good fit if you’re a recent high school graduate, a professional returning to the workforce or changing careers, or want to gain new skills to advance your current career.
Hear from biotechnology students and faculty about the program and your future career options. Associate Degree Program Goals
Biotechnology associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions, from working in the laboratory or production (biomanufacturing) to biotech project management, supply chain management, human resources, quality control and many other aspects of the industry.
Upon graduation from the associate degree program, you can start a career or transfer to a four-year college to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Real-world, Hands-on Learning
Our expert faculty provides personal attention in the lab and classroom to ensure your academic success.
You’ll receive a solid scientific background in the classroom and extensive practical experience working in fully equipped laboratories using industry-standard equipment and supplies.
Biotechnology Coursework
The biotechnology curriculum is designed with input from our industry advisory board to ensure you get the skills our local biotech industry needs most.
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
Before graduation, you’ll complete an internship with one of our industry partners to apply your biotech skills in a real-world environment as you build your professional network.
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.
Flexible Course Offerings
You can attend full- or part-time. Take classes in-person at our Madison Truax campus.
The Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program can be completed in as little as two years or up to three years. Learn more about the 3-Year Biotechnology Laboratory Technician program option.
Start Your Four-Year Degree Here!
Your biotechnology associate degree credits transfer if you plan to earn your bachelor’s degree to advance to a higher-level position in the field.
Biotechnology Laboratory technician associate degree graduates can transfer as a junior to UW-Platteville to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Online Program Transfer Options
Online transfer options are ideal for Associate of Applied Science graduates who are employed in the industry while completing their four-year degree.
- 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).
Students will receive maximum credit transfer if they take the general education courses indicated in the Biotechnology Transfer Option Curriculum (2-year plan).
What Is Biotechnology?
Learn more about the biotech profession and your options to study biotechnology at Madison College.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2025
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
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 the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherStudents 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
Students witn an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.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.Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales 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.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.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 Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits 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. -
Career Outcomes
Associate Degree Program Outcomes
As a Madison College Biotechnology Laboratory Technician associate degree program graduate, you’ll be 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.
Biotechnology Careers
You’ll be qualified to apply for such jobs as:
Biotechnology Research Technician | Complete scientific work in academic research laboratories, government research laboratories and biotechnology companies under direct supervision.
Biotechnology Production Technician | Produce useful products using biological systems, including bacterial and yeast cells, plants and animals.
Laboratory Technician | 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 Technician | Check product performance/characteristics to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize liability using physical, chemical and biological test equipment and instrumentation to ensure the product is within acceptable tolerance.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 13 5 11 Number of Surveys Sent 13 5 10 Number of Surveys Returned 7 3 8 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 4 3 5 Percent Available for Employment 57.1% 100.0% 62.5% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 42.9% 0.0% 37.5% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 4 3 5 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 4 3 5 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 0 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.9 4 3.9 Number of Satisfaction Responses 7 3 8 Very Satisfied (4) 6 3 7 Percent Very Satisfied 85.7% 100.0% 87.5% Satisfied (3) 1 0 1 Percent Satisfied 14.3% 0.0% 12.5% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 7 3 8 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 4 3 5 Before Enrollment 0 0 0 Percent Before Enrollment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% While Attending the College 2 1 3 Percent While Attending the College 50.0% 33.3% 60.0% After Training at the College 2 2 2 Percent After Training at the College 50.0% 66.7% 40.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 4 3 5 In College District 4 3 5 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 4 2 5 Average Monthly Wage $3,526 $4,137 $4,222 Average Hourly Wage $20.50 $24.05 $24.55 Average Work Hours per Week 41.8 40.7 40.4 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Aldevron Associate Scientist I Empirico Inc Assistant Scientist Exact Sciences Clinical Laboratory Scientist Newcomer Supply Laboratory Technician Middleton 2 * - 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