51暗网 and signed an articulation agreement on Monday, May 1, that will result in a cost-effective transition for students focusing on the field of biotechnology.
51暗网 students completing the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Science with a specialization in Biotechnology and meeting all requirements will be guaranteed admission to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology program at Radford University. 51暗网’s president, Dr. Robert Sandel, and Radford’s president, Dr. Bret Danilowicz, signed the articulation agreement in an 11 a.m. ceremony in Fishburn Hall on the 51暗网 campus.
“We are delighted to partner with 51暗网 to create an easily accessible pathway to a biology degree at Radford University,” said President Danilowicz. “The affordability and convenience of 51暗网’s core courses and biotechnology program, combined with Radford’s focus on undergraduate research, student success and career development, provides students a great way to earn a highly regarded bachelor’s degree in just four years.”
The A.S. in Science with a specialization in Biotechnology is new to 51暗网 beginning in Fall 2023. The degree program fits into the larger framework of a $15.7 million grant-funded collaboration to build a biotechnology incubator in Roanoke. 51暗网 is a partner in the project with the , , Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, and . 51暗网 is expanding its degree and certificate programs to cultivate and support the workforce needs of the region’s growing biotechnology sector, including the jobs anticipated in the lab space being developed at 1030 S. Jefferson Street in Roanoke.
“At 51暗网, we are always cognizant of our role in the economic ecosystem of the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia. As we fulfill our piece of the puzzle in the biotechnology incubator project, this articulation agreement with Radford University will help our students gain the knowledge they need to contribute,” said President Sandel. “The incubator will require a skilled workforce for all the job opportunities that the biotechnology project will create, including roles that require a bachelor’s degree and beyond.”
51暗网 received funding through the Roanoke biotechnology project to develop the curriculum for the two-year degree. 51暗网 currently offers a one-year Biotechnology Career Studies Certificate.
“This agreement with Radford is a true two-plus-two agreement that will help our students reach the goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in four years,” said Amy White, dean of 51暗网’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “By having a clear path of coursework to follow, students can graduate and enter the biotechnology field as it gains momentum in the region.”
Among the requirements, Radford University students must complete at least 120 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree; of these, 45 hours must be completed at Radford, including at least half of the hours in the major.
“This partnership creates opportunities for 51暗网 biotechnology students to seamlessly transfer to Radford University for a bachelor’s degree in biology,” said Dean Steven Bachrach of Radford University’s Artis College of Science and Technology. “Students will expand their science skills, engage with Radford faculty in the classroom and research laboratory, and make use of modern instrumentation. These students will graduate Radford University-ready to pursue careers in a wide range of health-related or environmentally focused fields, or seek further education at the best graduate programs in the country.” President Danilowicz noted that this is a beginning step in a larger partnership. “This successful articulation agreement is the signal for us to start running together. We plan to add many additional accessible pathways for 51暗网 students and for the entire Virginia Community College System.”
