skip to main content

Biotechnology Academy

Would you like to work with living organisms to enhance crops, fuels and medical treatments or create a tool to help humans? Would you like to clone organisms and make jellyfish glow?

The Biotechnology Academy prepares students for careers in medicine, marine science, forensic science, agricultural science and pharmacology, among others. Students use modern laboratory equipment to purify and analyze DNA, RNA, and proteins. Students investigate issues such as disease diagnosis, medication production, identification of environmental contaminants and forensic evidence analysis. Students conduct original research, often working with scientists in local medical, research or industrial labs.

Electives

Students seeking a four-year postsecondary institution are advised to enroll in Advanced Placement Biology, Chemistry and advanced mathematics electives.

Prerequisites

  • Biology

Corerequisites

  • Chemistry
  • Algebra II

Certifications

Students have the opportunity to earn Biotechnician Assistant Certification Exam (BACE).

College Credit

Students are encouraged to sit for the AP Biology exam for college credit.

Successful Academy Students:

  • Maintain a C average in all academy coursework.
  • Complete a senior level coursework through a work-site experience (students must provide their own transportation) OR by participating in the on-campus (ARL) course of advanced skills, which includes a capstone project.

Senior Level Coursework Requirements:

  • Complete at least 8-10 hours of work-site experience per week OR daily attendance at the Applications and Research Lab.
  • Attend weekly senior seminars at the Applications and Research Lab.
  • Choose a “real world” problem to research.
  • Write and submit a research proposal, abstract, and reflection paper based on research.
  • Maintain and submit a journal and portfolio of senior work.

Suggested Course Schedule

Below is a suggested high school course schedule for students interested in the Biotechnology Academy
Grade Level Course 1 Course 2 Course 3 Course 4 Course 5 Course 6 Course 7
Ninth Grade English required Mathematics required Science required Social Studies required Fitness & Health required Technology Education required Fine Arts available
Tenth Grade English required Mathematics required Science required Social Studies required Fine Arts Elective available Elective available
Eleventh Grade English required Mathematics required Chemistry Social Studies required Elective available Biotechnology I - G/T
Twelfth Grade English required Mathematics required Science Elective available Elective available Biotechnology II - G/T