Biotechnology is the practice of using plants, animals and micro-organisms such as bacteria, as well as biological processes - to some benefit. For example, in industry, medicine and agriculture, biotechnology is used to produce foods, develop medicines, test for diseases and remove waste. Thus, it is used to solve practical problems and to answer fundamental research questions. Over time, biotechnology has enabled us to learn about people and diseases, and has underpinned the development of medical treatments.

Students graduating from the?Biotechnology major from James Madison University will be prepared to enter the biotechnology workforce, or to pursue graduate education in a wide array of fields including medical, agricultural or industrial biotechnology. Fields of research in biotechnology include applied molecular biology, bioinformatics, and genomics.

Career prospects

Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose nontraditional career paths that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.

• Biochemist
• Bioenergy Scientist
• Bioinformatician
• Biomedical Engineer
• Biostatistician
• Biotechnical Scientist
• Clinical Scientist
• Compliance Investigator
• Consultant
• Criminologist
• DNA and Genetics Technician