2014-15 Catalogs
BS in Biology: Biotechnology concentration
The biotechnology specialization emphasizes cell and molecular biology, and students who follow this track receive a solid foundation in both biology and chemistry. Graduates are well prepared to pursue employment in biotechnology or to enter graduate programs in biotechnology, cell and molecular biology, and applied medical sciences.
Program Requirements
The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University's Core curriculum) required for the emphasis in biotechnology: 74. Students may substitute Problems in Biology (BIO 441) for no more than one of the required AMS courses shown below. Per University policy, students enrolled in AMS courses pay graduate tuition rates. A grade of C- or higher is required for all courses listed below.
All of the following are required:
Biology (30-31 credit hours)
BIO 105, 106 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology and Laboratory
BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology
BIO 201 Genetics
BIO 281, 282 Microbiology and Laboratory
BIO 408 Experimental Genetics
BIO 409, 410 Cell and Molecular Biology and Laboratory
or AMS 530, 531 Molecular Biology and Laboratory
BIO 431 Principles of Immunology
AMS 551 Immunology Laboratory
Chemistry (26 credit hours)
CHY 113, 114, 115, 116 Principles of Chemistry I and II and Laboratory
CHY 251, 252, 253, 254 Organic Chemistry I and II and Laboratory
CHY 461, 462, 463 Biochemistry I and II and Laboratory
Physics (10 credit hours)
PHY 111, 114, 112, 116 Elements of Physics I and II and Laboratory
or PHY 121, 114, 123, 116 General Physics I and II and Laboratory
Mathematics (8 credit hours)
MAT 152 Calculus A
MAT 220 Statistics for the Biological Sciences
Course Sequence
Recommended Course Sequence
Because the biology curriculum includes many support courses (chemistry, physics, math) that need to be taken in addition to biology courses, the Department offers a suggested plan of study, shown below. There is no guarantee that every course listed will be offered when the student wants the course. Students should consult their academic advisors regularly as well as the Tentative Schedule of Biology courses listed on the Department of Biological Sciences website to establish a graduate planner appropriate to your individual needs.
| Year 1 | Credits |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 105 Biological Principles I: Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 106 Laboratory Biology | 1.5 |
| CHY 113 Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 114 Laboratory Techniques I | 1 |
| ENG 100 College Writing | 3 |
| EYE 1XX Entry Year Experience | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 107 Biological Principles II: Evolution, Biodiversity, and Ecology | 4.5 |
| CHY 115 Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 116 Laboratory Techniques II | 1 |
| MAT 152 Calculus A | 4 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Year 2 | |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 201 Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 408 Experimental Genetics | 2 |
| CHY 251 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 252 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| MAT 220 Statistics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 281 Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 282 Microbiological Laboratory | 2 |
| CHY 253 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHY 254 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Year 3 | |
| Fall semester | |
| CHY 461 Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHY 462 Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| PHY XXX Elements of Physics I or General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 114 Introductory Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| BIO 409 Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 410 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 2 |
| CHY 463 Biochemistry II | 3 |
| PHY XXX Elements of Physics II or General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 116 Introductory Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Year 4 | |
| Fall semester | |
| BIO 431 Principles of Immunology | 3 |
| AMS 530 Molecular Biology (if BIO 409 not taken) | 3 |
| AMS 531 Molecular Biology Laboratory (if BIO 410 not taken) | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Spring semester | |
| AMS 551 Immunology Laboratory | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| Core curriculum course | 3 |
| General elective(s) | variable |
Note: Total credits must add up to 120, with a minimum of 74 credits required for the biotechnology specialization.Suggested schedule is based on 8 semesters (4 years) with approximately 15 credits per semester. Needing to meet the English or Math proficiency requirements in your first year will alter and possibly lengthen your coursework beyond 4 years. Summer courses can reduce course load during the year.