Biotechnology After High School

Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in our Biotechnology programs at VGCC! In our biotechnology programs, you will learn the fundamentals of biotechnology and gain highly sought after laboratory and industrial biotech skills. The biotech industry is booming in our region of North Carolina, and thousands more positions are expected to within the coming years as existing biotech and pharmaceutical companies expand and new companies move in to the greater area! In addition, we have exciting opportunities for graduates from our programs who are interested in transferring to a four-year schools. Get started in our programs now to enter a growing workforce sector or simply advance your education!

Many adult students choose to begin their biotechnology studies with the BioWork course! This short training course will teach you the foundational skills you need to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company. Process technicians are responsible for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products. Students who complete the BioWork course often continue their studies with VGCC’s Bioprocess Technology program, enter the workforce, or do both!

VGCC offers curriculum (college credit) programs in Bioprocess Technology. These programs teach the contents of the BioWork course and provides additional training in advanced techniques and make students competitive for a wider range of biotech related jobs. The first is the Certificate in Bioprocess Technology, taking as little as 6 months to complete. The Diploma in Bioprocess Technology is a one-year program, and the Associates of Applied Science Degree program is a two-year program of study. All three curriculum programs are approved for federal financial aid to eligible applicants. Some courses are completely online, others are hybrid formats with hands-on training labs meeting once per week (daytime and evening may be available). We have many part-time students who have found this format to work very well with their work schedules. Finally, students who begin their studies by completing the BioWork (non-credit course) and wish to transition to curriculum students for additional training will receive credit for the BioWork course toward their curriculum program!

Upcoming Classes for Fall 2025

Evening Classes:

BPM 110 – Bioprocess Practices (Hybrid, labs on Tuesdays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM beginning on August 18)

BTC 3200 – BioWork Processing Technician (Hybrid, labs on Mondays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM beginning on October 20)

BPM 111 – Bioprocess Measurements (Hybrid, labs on Tuesdays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM beginning October 16)

BTC 285 – Cell Culture (Hybrid, labs on Wednesdays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM beginning October 16)

PTC 110 – Industrial Environment (fully online course, beginning October 16)

Interest Form

Can’t wait to get started?

Explore the free virtual learning experiences below from the NC BioNetwork

BioWork Information Session

Green Fluorescent Protein Production

Biomanufacturing Facility Tour

Class Schedule

Franklin Campus – Louisburg

Course Title	Section	Total Hours	Course Dates	Location	REGISTER NOW	Class Time	Meeting Days	Room No.	Instructor	Fee
Course Title: Biowork Processing Technician 76535	Section: BTC 3200-X01	Total Hours: 136	Course Dates: 01/21/2026 - 03/11/2026	Location: Franklin Campus – Louisburg	REGISTER NOW: Register	Class Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm in person - Wednesdays & all other online	Meeting Days: 8 wks in person on Weds, all other online. REQUIRED orientation in person on 1/14 @ 5pm	Room No.: F3105	Instructor: A. Pais	Fee: $257.60 (includes books)
Course Title: Biowork Processing Technician 76536	Section: BTC 3200 X02	Total Hours: 136	Course Dates: 03/23/2026 - 05/11/2026	Location: Franklin Campus – Louisburg	REGISTER NOW: Register	Class Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm in person - Mondays & all other online	Meeting Days: 8 wks in person on Mons, all other online. REQUIRED orientation in person on 3/16 @ 12pm	Room No.: F3105	Instructor: A. Pais	Fee: $257.60 (includes books)
Course Title: Biowork Processing Technician 76537	Section: BTC 3200 X01	Total Hours: 136	Course Dates: 06/08/2026 - 07/27/2026	Location: Franklin Campus – Louisburg	REGISTER NOW: Register	Class Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm in person - Mondays & all other online	Meeting Days: 8 wks in person on Mons, all other online. REQUIRED orientation in person on 6/01 @ 5pm	Room No.: F3105	Instructor: A. Pais	Fee: $257.60 includes books
Course Title: Biowork Processing Technician 76538	Section: BTC 3200 X01	Total Hours: 136	Course Dates: 10/26/2026 - 12/14/2026	Location: Franklin Campus – Louisburg	REGISTER NOW: Register	Class Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm in person - Mondays & all other online	Meeting Days: 8 wks in person on Mons, all other online. REQUIRED orientation in person on 10/19 @ 5pm	Room No.: F3105	Instructor: A. Pais	Fee: $257.60 includes books

Registration Instructions:

Fill in the blanks below. Those marked with an * are mandatory. When complete, click on the submit button. If you have any problems registering, please contact the Continuing Education office here at VGCC by calling (252) 738-3400.

This form works best in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers. If you are experiencing any issues please make sure you are using one of the recommended browsers.

First Name (required)*

Last Name (required)*

Middle Name

Maiden Name

Email Address (required)*

Home Phone (required)*

Mobile Phone

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)*

If you are under 18, there will be additional forms required.
Note: You must be at least 16 years old to register.
If you have trouble with this field ensure you are using either Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari browsers.

Mailing Address (required)*

City (required)*

State (required)*

Zip Code (required)*

NC Resident (required)*
YesNo

County of Residence (required)*

Have you previously taken classes at VGCC or submitted an application for admission to VGCC in the past? (required)*
YesNo

Demographic Info

Race/Ethnic Background (required)*

Gender (required)*

Employment Status (required)*

Employer

Highest Education Level Completed (required)*

Where did you hear about this class?*

Payment Information

Course Payment URL

(1) Refund Policy: Students will be eligible for a 100-percent refund if official withdrawal occurs prior to the first class meeting or the class is cancelled. After the course begins, a 75-percent refund can be made if the student officially withdraws prior to or on the 10-percent point of the scheduled hours. For contact-hour classes, five calendar days from the first day of class is the determination date. For self-supporting classes, no refund will be made unless the class is cancelled. (2) Repeat Policy: Students who take an Occupational Extension course more than twice within a five-year period shall pay their cost for the course based on the amount of funds generated by a student membership hour for Occupational Extension multiplied by the number of actual hours the class is to be taught. Students may repeat Occupational Extension courses if the repetitions are required for certification, licensure, or recertification. (3) Grading Policy: In order to receive a satisfactory (S) grade, students must be present for at least 80-percent of the class hours scheduled. Students signature on this form gives permission for VGCC to release his/her grade to the appropriate certification agency, employer or prospective employer, when applicable. We also have grants and scholarships students can apply for by choosing them in the payment options and you will receive more information on how to apply for those grants and scholarship through a returned email.

Payment Type

Company or Agency to be billed (address required)

EMS/FIRE RESCUE CLASSES ONLY: Students Must Complete the Following

Agency/Job Title (Required)*

Fee Waiver (Required)*

Other Fee Waivers

Grade Release
Gives permissions

Title IX Information
For information regarding Vance-Granville Community College's Title IX policy, please review our Title IX Page (https://www.vgcc.edu/title-ix/).

Initials *

Verification

Form Verification (required)*
By Choosing "Yes", I certify to the best of my knowledge that the information given is true and complete. Further, I understand that by submitting this information via electronic transmission that I acknowledge the above statement of certification in lieu of a signature.

Important

Once you click “Register” a confirmation email is automatically sent to you.

Please check your email for this confirmation email and payment link.

If you do not receive this email, please check your spam or junk email folder.

Contact

STEWART

LYON

B.S., M.S., MBA

Program Head/Professor of Biotechnology

FRANKLIN CAMPUS - Louisburg

Room:

F3106-A

(252) 738-3632

[email protected]

I Am a...

Admissions

Areas of Study

Paying For College

About Us

Campus Links

Biotechnology After High School

Program Overview

Upcoming Classes for Fall 2025

Evening Classes:

Interest Form

Can’t wait to get started?

Class Schedule

Franklin Campus – Louisburg

Registration Instructions:

Demographic Info

Payment Information

EMS/FIRE RESCUE CLASSES ONLY: Students Must Complete the Following

Verification

College Closure – November 5th