About the Program

The Department of Biotechnology (Biotech) of the Visayas State University is the only institution in Visayas and Mindanao to offer Biotechnology as an academic program. The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology was first offered in 2007, formerly a joint program of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Food Science of VSU until 2015. It was established later on as a separate department in July 2016.

The BS in Biotechnology program aims at training students in experimental and theoretical tools used in bioprocess engineering, molecular biology, plant biotechnology, and medical research. Since its establishment, the department has created its curriculum for two major fields; Industrial and Plant biotechnology, to develop professionals in these fields and send out excellent human resources to domestic and international institutions.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can be

• Academe: Faculty Members and Department Heads
• Research: Research Specialists, Research Assistants, Study Leaders, and Project Leaders
• Industry
• Bioinformaticians/Data Scientists
• Clinical Researcher
• Graduate Study
• Forensic analysts
• Quality control analysts in food and pharmaceutical companies
• Sales representatives and marketing professionals in scientific and chemical companies
• Entrepreneurs

Notable Alumni

The following Viscans who graduated in this program have made a name in their field:

• Mr. Lourd Franz M. Gabunada (Class of 2011) – A faculty member at the Department of Biotechnology and is among the first batch of graduates of BS in Biotechnology. Now, he is finishing his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology cognate in Plant Pathology after completing his Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology cognate in Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is a recipient of the DOST-ASTHRDP Scholarship for both his Master's degree and Ph.D. In addition, Mr. Gabunada is the Treasurer of the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Visayas Chapter.
• Ms. Zennia Jean G. Nordberg (Class of 2011) – Currently finishing her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, under a Griffith University Scholarship. She completed her Master of Science in Biological Sciences at Massey University, New Zealand, under a New Zealand government scholarship (NZAID).
• Ms. Joji Marie Y. Teves (Class of 2014) – Finishing her Ph.D. program in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (MoMeD) at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She is a recipient of the Marie-Curie COFUND scholarship for her Ph.D. study. In addition, she finished her Professional Science Master's in Applied Bioscience - Molecular and Cellular Biology track at the University of Arizona. For her Master's degree, she was a recipient of the USAID-STRIDE scholarship. Ms. Teves has also been a recipient of several awards during different Biotechnology Fun Fair activities.
• Dr. Kirstin Heinsel C. Badilla (Class of 2014) – A Doctor of Medicine based in Cebu City, Cebu. Dr. Badilla is a graduate of Medicine at the Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu, Philippines. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at Visayas State University in 2014.
• Ms. Kyza Mae M. Ramoneda (Class of 2015) – Currently the Department Head of VSU Biotechnology. In addition, she is a faculty member of the Department of Biological Sciences. She finished her Master of Science in Molecular Biology degree with a specialization in Animal Production (Cum Laude) under the Interuniversity University Program of Molecular Biology offered by three partner universities, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Universiteit Antwerpen last (2019). Currently, she is the Vice-President for Eastern Visayas of the Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In addition, she is also one of the founding members of the Philippine Association of Belgian University Scholars, recently duly recognized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila.