Every day, biotechnology is working to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems—infectious and hereditary disease, food security, and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels—and moving forward with revolutionary solutions.

Whether your experience is based in healthcare, agriculture, or industry—the 100% online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology program will teach you how to bring the best of biotechnology innovation to the market, where it can do the most good.

• First, gain additional understanding of the principles and techniques of biotechnology, ethical, safety, and privacy concerns, funding, intellectual property and patents, professional and technical communication, experimental design and analysis, and organizational leadership—all within the scope of the global biotechnology industry.
• Then focus your learning within one or more specialization tracks: Quality Assurance and Compliance, Business Management, or Research and Development.
• Finally, upon completing your capstone project, you will earn a degree from the University of Wisconsin, one of the largest and most widely respected public higher education systems in the country.

The multi-campus partnership means you’ll learn from expert faculty from across the UW System with strong connections to the industry, and the online format offers working adults like you a flexible, convenient way to pursue an advanced degree.

The MS in Applied Biotechnology Program is a FULLY ONLINE graduate degree program. If you are seeking the FACE-TO-FACE program, please see the MS in Biotechnology Program. You can also apply to both under one application fee.

Not sure which program best fits your needs? Contact us to talk more. Call 608-262-9753 or email Bryan (bthusk@wisc.edu) or Michele (michele.smith@wisc.edu).

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Apply to the Graduate School 

Apply to the Graduate School online and select the "Applied Biotechnology MS" program. This is the online-only degree program, see "Biotechnology, MS" program for the face-to-face degree.

Admissions Criteria and Prerequisite Coursework

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• Prerequisite coursework: two semesters college-level lab coursework in biological sciences and/or chemistry, all of which must have a lab component.
  • To satisfy the prerequisite you must have completed either two semesters of biological sciences, two semesters of chemistry, or one semester each of biological sciences and chemistry.
• Professional resume or CV
• Unofficial transcripts.
  • Upon acceptance, official transcripts will be required by the Graduate School.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A one- or two-page statement of purpose that is specific to the MS in Applied Biotechnology online degree (uploaded via the Graduate School online application) that provides the following: 
  • Summary of your professional and academic background
  • Concise description of your short- and long-term professional goals
  • Clear explanation of how the online MS in Applied Biotechnology degree will help you meet your goals. 

Additional Graduate School Resources

• Graduate School Admission Frequently Asked Questions
• Graduate School Admission Requirements

If you have any questions about how to apply or about the status of your application, refer to the contact information box. 

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted year-round for the online MS in Applied Biotechnology Program.  Students can begin in fall, spring or summer term.  To guarantee consideration for a particular term, applications should be completed by the admissions deadlines listed above.

Online versus Face to Face

The "Applied Biotechnology MS" program is a fully online program. The "Biotechnology MS" program is face to face. Not sure which Biotechnology program works best for you? Contact the program for more information.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Information

The MS in Applied Biotechnology Program does not offer any scholarships or financial aid.

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

However, students may contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to discuss federal loan programs and other lending opportunities.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

 Mode of instruction

 Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

No prior coursework from other institutions may be applied toward program requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

No prior coursework from the UW–Madison undergraduate career may be applied toward program requirements.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

No prior coursework from the UW-Madison Professional student career may be applied toward program requirements.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

No prior coursework from the UW-Madison University Special student career may be applied toward program requirements.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor policy.

Students will be advised by MS in Applied Biotechnology Program staff. 

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
  • Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Grievance Policy for Graduate Programs in the School of Medicine and Public Health

Any student in a School of Medicine and Public Health graduate program who feels that they have been treated unfairly in regards to educational decisions and/or outcomes or issues specific to the graduate program, including academic standing, progress to degree, professional activities, appropriate advising, and a program’s community standards by a faculty member, staff member, postdoc, or student has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing of the grievance following these grievance procedures. Any student who discusses, inquiries about, or participates in the grievance procedure may do so openly and shall not be subject to intimidation, discipline, or retaliation because of such activity. Each program’s grievance advisor is listed on the “Research” tab of the SMPH intranet.

Exclusions

This policy does not apply to employment-related issues for Graduate Assistants in TA, PA and/or RA appointments.  Graduate Assistants will utilize the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) grievance process to resolve employment-related issues.

This policy does not apply to instances when a graduate student wishes to report research misconduct.  For such reports refer to the UW-Madison Policy for Reporting Research Misconduct for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Research Associates.

Requirements for Programs

The School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies requires that each graduate program designate a grievance advisor, who should be a tenured faculty member, and will request the name of the grievance advisor annually.  The program director will serve as the alternate grievance advisor in the event that the grievance advisor is named in the grievance.  The program must notify students of the grievance advisor, including posting the grievance advisor’s name on the program’s Guide page and handbook.

The grievance advisor or program director may be approached for possible grievances of all types.  They will spearhead the grievance response process described below for issues specific to the graduate program, including but not limited to academic standing, progress to degree, professional activities, appropriate advising, and a program’s community standards.  They will ensure students are advised on reporting procedures for other types of possible grievances and are supported throughout the reporting process.  Resources on identifying and reporting other issues have been compiled by the Graduate School.

Procedures

1. The student is advised to initiate a written record containing dates, times, persons, and description of activities, and to update this record while completing the procedures described below.
2. If the student is comfortable doing so, efforts should be made to resolve complaints informally between individuals before pursuing a formal grievance.
3. Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, the student should contact the program’s grievance advisor or program director to discuss the complaint. The student may approach the grievance advisor or program director alone or with a UW-Madison faculty or staff member. The grievance advisor or program director should keep a record of contacts with regards to possible grievances.  The first attempt is to help the student informally address the complaint prior to pursuing a formal grievance. The student is also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisor regarding concerns or difficulties.
4. If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may submit a formal grievance to the grievance advisor or program director in writing, within 60 calendar days from the date the grievant first became aware of, or should have become aware of with the exercise of reasonable diligence, the cause of the grievance.  To the fullest extent possible, a grievance shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance and indicate the issue(s) involved, the relief sought, the date(s) the incident or violation took place, and any specific policy involved.
5. On receipt of a written grievance, the following steps will occur.  The final step must be completed within 30 business days from the date the grievance was received.  The program must store documentation of the grievance for seven years. Significant grievances that set a precedent may be stored indefinitely.
   1. The grievance advisor or program director will convene a faculty committee composed of at least three members to manage the grievance.  Any faculty member involved in the grievance or who feels that they cannot be impartial may not participate in the committee.  Committee composition should reflect diverse viewpoints within the program.
   2. The faculty committee, through the grievance advisor or program director, will obtain a written response from the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed. The grievance advisor or program director will inform this person that their response will be shared with the student filing the grievance.
   3. The grievance advisor or program director will share the response with the student filing the grievance.
   4. The faculty committee will make a decision regarding the grievance. The committee’s review shall be fair, impartial, and timely.  The grievance advisor or program director will report on the action taken by the committee in writing to both the student and the person toward whom the grievance was directed.
6. If either party (the student or the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed) is unsatisfied with the decision of the program’s faculty committee, the party may file a written appeal to the SMPH senior associate dean for basic research, biotechnology and graduate studies within 10 business days from the date of notification of the program’s faculty committee.  The following steps will occur:
   1. The grievant will be notified in writing, within 5 business days of the written appeal, acknowledging receipt of the formal appeal and establishing a timeline for the review to be completed.
   2. The senior associate dean or their designee may request additional materials and/or arrange meetings with the grievant and/or others.  If meetings occur, the senior associate dean or their designee will meet with both the grievant and the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed.
   3. The senior associate dean or their designee will assemble an ad hoc committee of faculty from outside of the student’s graduate program and ask them to prepare a written recommendation on whether to uphold or reverse the decision of the program on the student’s initial grievance.  The committee may request additional materials and/or arrange meetings with the grievant and/or others.  If meetings occur, the committee will meet with both the grievant and the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed.
   4. The senior associate dean or their designee will make a final decision within 20 business days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation.
   5. The SMPH Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies must store documentation of the grievance for seven years. Grievances that set a precedent may be stored indefinitely.
7. The student may file an appeal of the School of Medicine and Public Health decision with the Graduate School.  See the Grievances and Appeals section of the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures.

Time Limits

Steps in the grievance procedures must be initiated and completed within the designated time periods except when modified by mutual consent. If the student fails to initiate the next step in the grievance procedure within the designated time period, the grievance will be considered resolved by the decision at the last completed step.

Other

n/a

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate professional and scientific communication appropriate for biotechnology settings
2. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of organizational processes and product development pipelines
3. Distinguish among diverse methods and technologies and their applications in biotechnology
4. Demonstrate strategic leadership and decision-making skills necessary in biotechnology
5. Appraise the current regulatory, quality control, and legal frameworks that impact biotechnology
6. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors that foster positive and productive interactions in diverse biotechnology settings

People

The UW Applied Biotechnology curriculum is designed and taught in collaboration by faculty from seven University of Wisconsin campuses: UW–Green Bay, UW–Madison, UW–Oshkosh, UW–Parkside, UW–Platteville, UW–Stevens Point, and UW–Whitewater. However, by selecting UW–Madison as your campus, your degree will come from UW–Madison.

Anjon (Jon) Audhya, PhD

• Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies
• Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health

Natalie Betz, PhD

• Academic Director for the MS in Biotechnology Program
• Academic Director for the UW–Madison online MS in Applied Biotechnology
• Faculty Instructor, School of Medicine and Public Health

Bryan Husk, MA

• Administrative Associate Director for the MS in Biotechnology Program
• Administrative Associate Director for the online MS in Applied Biotechnology (UW–Madison campus)
• Academic Staff, School of Medicine and Public Health
• bthusk@wisc.edu
• 608-265-0773 office
• 608-577-9182 cell

Michele Smith, MS, SCT(ASCP)

• Graduate Program Manager for the MS in Biotechnology Program
• Graduate Program Manager for the online MS in Applied Biotechnology (UW–Madison campus)
• Academic Staff, School of Medicine and Public Health
• michele.smith@wisc.edu
• 608-262-9753 office
• 608-658-5311 cell

Barbara Bielec, MS

• Program Assistant for the MS in Biotechnology Program
• Program Assistant for the online MS in Applied Biotechnology (UW–Madison campus)
• University Staff, School of Medicine and Public Health
• bielec@wisc.edu