Job seekers should visit the employment offices of universities and research centers, and send resumes and letters to corporations with production facilities. Top of Page Bachelor of science degree For a career in the biotechnology industry, a four-year degree in the biological sciences is a logical beginning. The biological sciences are organized differently in different colleges and universities, so depending on the institution, students might major in general biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, or zoology. Students who major in a general biology, botany or zoology department should choose as many courses as possible in molecular and cellular areas. A chemistry degree is also an excellent foundation, since so much of modern molecular biology is based on chemistry.
Chemical engineering is a very marketable specialty.
Other specialties in demand in the industry are environmental science, toxicology, pharmacology and agricultural science. Click here for a quick list of four-year institutions in North Carolina offering degrees in biotechnology and related fields. Typical starting salary . Typical job titles . Research Associate, Technician, Technologist, Manufacturing or Production Associate or Technician, Quality Control Analyst or Inspector, Microbiologist, Chemist.