Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

Biotechnology Lab Technician, C.S.C.

Career Studies Certificate
Northern Virginia Community College

This program is designed for persons wishing to enhance their employment options or retrain for a career as a laboratory technician in various biotechnology disciplines. Students interested in this certificate may include career changers who already have a bachelor's degree, scientists who were trained in foreign countries who need updated training, current A.S. in Sciencestudents who want to obtain a core of biotechnology courses and/or find a job in local industry while they complete their undergraduate degrees, and high school teachers who wish to refine their own biotechnology skills and obtain the required retraining necessary for continued teacher certification.

Application Process: Students applying to the Biotechnology Lab Technician Career Studies Certificate must complete all of the pre-admission requirements as outlined for the A.A.S. in Biotechnologywith the exception that applications will only be accepted for students enrolling in the Fall Semester (August 1). In addition, a student must have completed a college degree (associate of science or higher). Foreign students must document the U.S. equivalent to an associate degree. Students without a science degree are strongly advised to complete the A.A.S. in Biotechnologyinstead of the career studies certificate. To apply to the program, please go to www.nvcc.edu/manassas/biotech.

Prerequisites: Because jobs in biotechnology generally require at least an associate degree, in a science field, students must already have a 2-year or 4-year college degree, be enrolled in the A.S. in Science, or obtain permission from the Biotechnology program coordinator in order to be placed into this program. BIO 101 General Biology Iis a prerequisite of all of the biotechnology courses in this program.

Students who have degrees in non-science fields are strongly encouraged to complete the A.A.S. in Biotechnology.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations 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
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Northern Virginia Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Biotechnology Lab Technician, C.S.C.
24
Biotechnology Lab Technician, Career Studies Certificate
24
22114901 Plan GPA/Cum GPA 202425 Catalog
24
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 18 credits may be applied to this program.
ENG or CST Requirement
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Choose from the following courses: CST 100, CST 110, CST 126, CST 229, ENG 111, ENG 115
ENG OR CST
3
BIO Requirements
254
BIO 147
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 165
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 250
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 253
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 180
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 254
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 255
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 296
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
BIO 251
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript.
Credit for Prior Learning NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/
Did You Know That...
  • 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: Northern Virginia Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
43891
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
19-4021.00Biological TechniciansAssist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 24 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Biotechnology Lab Technician, C.S.C. at Northern Virginia Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 2 semesters or 1 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $219 Per Credit $5,256 $0 $5,256
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.