To earn the biotechnology degree, fulfill the following requirements.
Meet the course requirements for your concentration.
Nine courses and a thesis (40 credits) are required for each concentration:
- Life sciences
- Management principles
- Bioinformatics
- Bioengineering and nanotechnologies
See the complete concentration requirements.
Prove competency in statistics.
If you have a limited statistics background you can demonstrate your analytical skills by completing STAT E-50, STAT E-102, STAT E-150 or the equivalent Harvard Summer School course for undergraduate or graduate credit with a grade of B– or higher. The course does not count toward the degree. If you have previous background in statistics, you can complete the waiver exam. To set up an appointment to take the exam, contact Maura McGlame at statswaiver@dcemail.harvard.edu. If you do not pass the exam, you will need to take a statistics course.
We strongly encourage you to complete the statistics requirement before your sixth degree course. This core degree requirement should be behind you as you enter your final year. The statistics requirement must be met before consulting Cheryl Vaughan on your thesis proposal. Failure to do so will delay thesis registration and postpone graduation.
Complete at least 4 on-campus-only courses.
See Online Course Options and Residency Requirement for more information.
Take all courses for graduate credit.
All courses must be taken at Harvard for graduate credit. You take most courses at Harvard Extension School. You also have the options to study at Harvard Summer School and to take a maximum of 2 courses as a Special Student through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. See Academic Standing and Enrollment.
Earn a B− or higher in each course and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Note that a B or higher grade is required in the 3 preadmission courses.
Complete all requirements within 5 years of the date of admission.
If your application is delayed, the 5-year timeframe begins on the date of completion of the third degree course (i.e., any course that can count toward the degree). If you are unable to complete the degree within 5 years, you are retired from the program.