OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas says it will start offering a bachelor’s degree in applied science in biotechnology.

Classes for the new degree will begin in the spring semester at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park. It will be the university’s first bachelor of applied science degree.

The university said in a news released Tuesday that the new degree program will prepare students for careers in life-sciences by bridging the gap between biology, biochemistry and clinical laboratory sciences.

The university says the Monthly Labor Review report forecasts that jobs in life, physical and social science occupations will increase by 15 percent by 2020. Kansas City is home to 200 life-science companies, including 90 contract research organizations.