Undergraduate level biotechnology programs are rare, with a little under 100 offered in the United States.

Of the two B.S. in Biotechnology programs in Virginia, JMU’s is the longest-running and has a history of success.

There are approximately 100-125 students and 30-35 faculty associated with the Biotechnology Program at JMU.

Students are drawn to the major because of biotechnology’s potential to change the world, the rigor and hands-on nature of the curriculum, and the wide variety of electives available at the upper level.

25% of Biotechnology students participate in undergraduate research, working directly with a faculty mentor.

Biotechnology majors are eligible for the Second Century Scholarship—a generous award to cover 100% of in-state tuition for four years.

We are experiencing a global biotechnology boom.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 10% job growth between 2012 and 2022.  This is due, in part, to the recent advances in genome sequencing and editing.

According to an international survey conducted in 2015, biotechnology is the highest paying field within the life sciences.

There are over 750 biotechnology employers in Northern Virginia alone.