Academic Programs

Interdisciplinary Programs: Biotechnology

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Mission
In cooperation with the Department of Integrated Science and Technology and the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Biology offers a four year, interdisciplinary B.S. degree program for a major in biotechnology.

Biotechnology majors must complete 47-53 credit hours of science foundation courses, 17 credit hours of biotechnology transition and core courses, and 15 credit hours of concentration courses including a capstone experience. With the advice and approval of a concentration adviser, each student selects the courses for his or her concentration area. Three broad areas of concentrations are suggested to serve a spectrum of student needs and desires. A research concentration would prepare students for graduate school or entry into a research laboratory. An industry concentration would prepare students for entry into the biotechnology industry. A custom concentration can be assembled for a specialized area of study such as bioinformatics, genomics or agricultural biotechnology.

Back to top of page Major and Degree Requirements
  Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
Degree Requirements
General Education1
41
Quantitative requirement2
3
Scientific Literacy requirement2
3-4
Major requirements (listed below) and electives
79
126
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 In addition to General Education.
  Major Requirements
Science Foundation Courses
Credit Hours

Complete all of the following:
BIO 114. Organisms
4
BIO 124. Ecology and Evolution
4
BIO 214. Cell and Molecular Biology
4
BIO 224. Genetics and Development
4
CHEM 131. General Chemistry I
3
CHEM 131L. General Chemistry Laboratory
1
CHEM 132. General Chemistry II
3
CHEM 132L. General Chemistry Laboratory
1
CHEM 341. Organic Chemistry Lecture I
3
CHEM 342. Organic Chemistry Lecture II
3
CHEM 346L. Organic Chemistry Laboratory
2
Choose one of the following sets of courses:
MATH 231. Calculus with Functions I
4
MATH 232. Calculus with Functions II
4
OR
MATH 235 Calculus I
4
Choose one of the following courses:
MATH 220. Elementary Statistics
3
MATH 285. Data Analysis
4

Choose one of the following sets of courses:
PHYS 125. Principles of Physics with Biological Applications I
4
PHYS 126. Principles of Physics with Biological Applications II
4
OR
PHYS 140-140L. College of Physics I with Laboratory
4
PHYS 150-150L. College of Physics II with Laboratory
4
  Biotechnology Area Concentration
Students must complete 12 credit hours of courses in one of the biotechnology concentrations areas listed below.
  • Research Concentration: Preparation for graduate school research program or employment in a research laboratory.
  • Industry Concentration: Preparation for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry.
  • Custom Concentration: Specialized in specific areas of biotechnology, including bioinformatics, genomics and agricultural biotechnology.
Upon declaration of the major, each student will be assigned a concentration adviser. The student and the adviser will define the specific courses taken to fulfill the concentration requirement. The student will choose upper division (300 level or higher) BIO, ISAT, CHEM, PHYS or MATH courses, but other appropriate course offerings from other academic units may be substituted with the approval of the concentration adviser. Students are encouraged to include academic credit for research and/or internship experience.
  Capstone Experience
To meet the requirement for a capstone experience, students must complete three credit hours of one of the following:
  • ISAT 493. Senior Thesis
  • OR
  • BIO or ISAT 499. Honors Research
  • Three credit hours of BIO 497. Biological Research may be substituted to meet the capstone requirement, provided that the experience includes a presentation or paper as a requirement for completing the BIO 497 experience.
Back to top of page Recommended Schedules for Majors
First semester, first year biotechnology majors are encouraged to start with a 14-15 hour course load. This will generally include a biology course (four credit hours), CHEM 131 and CHEM 131L, and/or a math course, plus General Education. The work load will then be increased in the second semester based on the level of success during the first semester.
First Year
Credit Hours
BIO 114. Organisms1
4
BIO 124. Ecology and Evolution
4
CHEM 131 & CHEM 131L. General Chemistry I1
4
CHEM 132 & CHEM 132L. General Chemistry II
4
Quantitative course1
4-8
General Education: Cluster One
9
29-33
1 Fulfill General Education: Cluster Three.
Second Year
Credit Hours
BIO 260. Biotechnology Seminar
1
ISAT 305. Biotechnology Lab
1
BIO 214. Cell and Molecular Biology
4
BIO 224. Genetics and Development
4
CHEM 341-342. Organic Chemistry Lecture
6
CHEM 346L. Organic Chemistry Laboratory
2
Quantitative course
3-4
General Education: from Clusters Two, Four and Five
9
30-31
Third Year
Credit Hours
CHEM/BIO 361 and CHEM 366L. Biochemistry Lab
5
BIO 480. Advanced Molecular Biology
4
Concentration Electives
4
Physics courses
8
General Education: from Clusters Two, Four and Five
7
Electives
4
32
Fourth Year
Credit Hours
BIO 426. Topics in Biology or ISAT 456. Social and Ethical Issues
3
ISAT 451. Biotechnology in Industry
3
Concentration Electives
8
Capstone Course
3
General Education: from Clusters Two, Four and Five
6
Electives
6
29