Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Biotechnology

Bachelor of Science
Biology & Biotechnology_HeroImage
Enroll
How to Apply
Visit
Request Information

Earn your degree in biology and biotechnology at WPI—investigate, engineer, and translate the biology that’s reshaping medicine, biotech, and disease treatment.

At a Glance

Bachelor’s + Master’s Program

BS/MS in biotechnology available: Earn both degrees in five years.

STEM-Designated Degree: 

Qualifies international students for extended U.S. work authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Proven Career Success

Average Starting Salary: $55,084*

Notable Employers: Pfizer, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb, Massachusetts General Hospital, GSK*

*WPI Class of 2025 First Destination Survey, Bachelor’s Degree Graduates

Application Deadlines

Early Decision/Early Action I: Nov. 1 

Early Decision/Early Action II: Jan. 5 

Regular Decision: Feb. 1 

Explore This Degree

Options

Customize Your Path

Your WPI degree is yours to shape. Specialize with a concentration to go deeper into the area driving your curiosity. Complement your major with a minor, or choose electives that interest you. Take your education even further with the accelerated BS/MS, which allows you to earn both your bachelor’s and master’s in as few as five years.

Potential Minors

Chemistry | Data Science | Mathematics | Business

 

View All Minors

Undecided? No problem. Apply now and explore before committing to a specific path. 

13:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio 

270+

Student Clubs and Organizations

95%

Of First-Year Students Return for Their Sophomore Year (2025)

WPI Difference

Why Future Biologists Choose WPI

Our project-based biology and biotechnology degree prepares you for the life-sciences challenges of tomorrow.  

Through distinctive seven-week terms and intensive project work, you’ll:

Investigate

living systems from molecules to ecosystems using laboratory and computational tools

 

Engineer

cells, tissues, and biological processes that translate discovery into real therapies

 

Team Up

with faculty and industry partners on biomanufacturing and biomedical research

 

BUILD

a professional portfolio of completed projects at one of our 50+ project centers worldwide

CUSTOMIZE

your expertise by choosing a mix of electives or a concentration to match your interests

Collaborate

with teams across disciplines to develop solutions for today’s complex challenges

Resources & Tech You’ll Tap Into

Life Science & Bioengineering Center_LabImage

Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center

Work alongside biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and chemical engineering teams in shared interdisciplinary research labs at Gateway Park.
Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right learn more about LSBC
Cell Engineering Research Equipment SUite Core Lab_LabImage

Cell Engineering Research Equipment Suite

Gain hands-on access to flow cytometry, automated cell imaging, droplet digital PCR, and robotic liquid handlers for quantitative analysis of engineered cells.
Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Learn more about CERES
Microscopy and Histology Cores

Microscopy and Histology Cores

Train on confocal and fluorescence microscopes, cryostats, and microtomes.

Research Opportunities 

  • Cell and molecular biology, including cilia function and cell division
  • Bioengineered materials and tissue regeneration
  • Biomanufacturing and bioprocessing
  • Drug discovery and disease mechanisms
  • Microfluidics-based biosensors and physiological monitoring
  • Sustainability-focused biotechnology research

Project-Based Learning Experiences

Apply biology and biotechnology theory and practice from day one. Build a professional portfolio with work that matters.

At WPI, learn in an immersive environment where classroom concepts transform into hands-on projects, thanks to our intensive, seven-week terms. Complete increasingly advanced projects for industry partners and community organizations, both local and global. Present your solutions directly to organizations that will implement what you create.  

Below, explore projects completed by biology and biotechnology students at WPI.

WPI students building project wood prototype
Global

📍Berlin, Germany

Lake Stechlin Education — Students studied freshwater ecological health and developed education materials for the Leibniz Institute. 📍Berlin, Germany

Global

📍Accra, Ghana

Women’s Health in Agbogbloshie and Teacher Mante — Teams investigated the health impacts of e-waste exposure on Ghanaian women working at sorting sites. 📍Ghana, Africa

Local

📍Chelsea, Mass.

Mapping Environmental Injustice in Chelsea — Project teams mapped environmental health hazards across Chelsea neighborhoods for the Department of Housing and Community Development. 

Local

📍Boston, Mass.

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act Program — Students assessed toxic-chemical reduction services and recommended improvements for the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance. 

Industry

📍Worcester, Mass.

AquaTherm — Core Body Temperature Regulation in Surgery — Students engineered a thermal-management device to maintain core body temperature during surgical procedures.

Industry

📍Worcester, Mass.

Effects of Lead Exposure on Pseudomonas putida and Soil Microbiome — Teams investigated how lead contamination disrupts soil bacteria with relevance to bioremediation.

Skills & Salary

Skills You'll Gain

Through WPI’s biology and biotechnology degree, you’ll investigate living systems from molecules to ecosystems, engineer new therapies, and translate discovery into real-world impact in pharma, biotech, and healthcare. 

Explore opportunities to build skills such as:

Molecular & Cellular Biology Techniques

 

Run PCR, ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and cell-culture protocols to investigate gene expression, protein function, and cellular behavior in real research projects.

Use flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and ImageJ to quantify cells, image tissues, and analyze data alongside graduate students and faculty.

Genomics, Genetics & Bioinformatics

 

Design and execute CRISPR-Cas9 edits to study gene function, and analyze sequencing data using Python, R, and tools like Benchling and GeneStudio.

Mine public genomic datasets to investigate disease mechanisms, drug targets, and evolutionary biology with computational pipelines you build yourself.

Biomanufacturing & Drug Discovery

 

Work in shared interdisciplinary labs at Gateway Park alongside biomedical and chemical engineering teams developing the next generation of biotech therapies.

Apply mass spectrometry, chromatography, and assay development to drug discovery and quality-control workflows used by pharma and biotech employers.

Technical Leadership & Communication

 

Lead cross-functional research teams alongside biomedical engineers, data scientists, and chemists to deliver results to industry sponsors and clinical partners.

Communicate complex science to clinicians, regulators, and the public through technical reports, posters, and oral presentations of your major project work.

→ Explore the full curriculum in the academic catalog.

Student Voice

“I am particularly passionate about the projects I work on in the biology laboratories. I have conducted experiments such as purifying antibodies, isolating antibiotic-producing bacteria, and studying behavioral shifts of nematodes.” 

Chantalle Chhoeuk '26
Chantalle Chhoeuk '26
BS in Biology and Biotechnology

Chantalle’s experiences with project-based learning inspired her passion for the biological sciences.[...]

Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right read more
#15

Best Career Placement

The Princeton Review (2026)
Top 5.3%

Worldwide out of 21,000+ Universities 

Center for World University Rankings (2025)
R1 designated university

One of 187 Schools in U.S. with Very High Research Spending and Doctoral Production

The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Career

Biology and Biotechnology Career & Salary Outlook

Career Path 

Industry Sector 

Entry Level (0–5 years) 

Mid-Level (5–10 years) 

Senior Level (10+ years) 
Biotech Research & Development  Biotech Research Associate
$60K		 Scientist
$95K		 Principal Scientist
$155K
Pharmaceutical Research  Pharma Research Technician
$55K		 Associate Scientist
$90K		 Director of Research
$165K
Biomanufacturing Biotech & Pharma Manufacturing Associate
$55K		 Manufacturing Engineer
$85K		 Manufacturing Director
$150K
Clinical Research & Regulatory Affairs  Healthcare Clinical Research Coordinator
$58K		 Regulatory Affairs Specialist
$95K		 Director, Regulatory Affairs
$160K
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Biotech Bioinformatics Analyst
$70K		 Senior Bioinformatician
$110K		 Director, Computational Biology
$170K
Public Health & Healthcare Healthcare Public Health Analyst
$58K		 Epidemiologist
$90K		 Public Health Director
$140K

Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Tuition & Costs
Preview FinancialAid_2026Image1

Financing Your Future

College is a great investment in your future—and we’re here to help you plan for it. Explore WPI’s cost of attendance and learn how our Office of Financial Aid can guide you through options for funding your education. 

Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Financial Aid FAQs Chev Right Icon of hollow arrow pointing right Arrow Right Icon of arrow pointing right Cost of Attendance

Start Building Your Future Today

WPI’s simple formula helps students thrive: “Go to class. Do the work. Ask for help.” With our biology and biotechnology degree, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and connections to investigate living systems and engineer the therapies that improve human health.

Continue Your Studies

MS in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Online MS in Biotechnology
PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Explore Similar Majors

Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
School of Arts & Sciences
Department of Biology and Biotechnology