Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

• BIOT-T 500 Project Lab in Biotechnology (1-3 cr.) Students explore different stages of scientific investigation by performing research using the techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology on problems related to biotechnology. Students design and execute research projects under supervision of the Instructor in a teaching laboratory setting on problems chosen in consultation with the Instructor.
• BIOT-T 501 Biochemical Instrumentation (2 cr.) This laboratory course is focused on the biotechnology instrumentation used to characterize proteins. Students will learn theory as well as gain hands-on training in mass spectrometry, spectroscopic analysis of protein-ligand interactions, and capillary electrophoresis. Data generated will be used to develop lab reports.
• BIOT-T 502 Mammalian Tissue Culture (2 cr.) This laboratory course is designed to guide students through culturing and manipulations of different mammalian cell lines. Students will gain hands-on experience culturing cells, performing cell-based assays, and data interpretation.
• BIOT-T 508 Theory and Application of Biotechnology Lecture (3 cr.) This course teaches concepts of molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry to help understand recent advances made in biotechnology. 
• BIOT-T 515 Theory and Application of Biotechnology Lab (3 cr.) Students will learn advanced laboratory techniques currently used in biotechnology with a focus on the application of molecular genetics and recombinant DNA technology.
• BIOT-T 521 Contemporary Topics in Research Ethics (2 cr.)  The course focuses on the responsible conduct of research pertaining to biochemistry and biotechnology, including topics related to current research ethics in both academic and industrial research.
• BIOT-T 525 Protein Expression, Purification, and Characterization Lab (3 ) This is a laboratory course focused on the expression of proteins in a variety of systems ranging from E. coli, yeast, and tissue culture. The students are involved in optimizing protein expression, affinity protein isolation, and biophysical characterization of their isolated proteins. 
• BIOT-T 540 Structure and Function of Biomolecules (3 cr.) This applied biochemistry course provides mechanistic and applied analysis of proteins, enzymes and nucleic acids. Students also critique scientific papers and write ideas, as well as research the mechanism of action of specific drugs and present their findings.
• BIOT-T 590 Graduate Research (1-12 cr.) This course offers graduate research credit to MS Biotechnology students undertaking thesis research in an academic laboratory under direct supervision of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or senior graduate students. Opportunities range from basic to translational research. Students will be exposed to, and often become proficient with, a wide range of state-of-the-art procedures such as PCR DNA amplification, DNA cloning and sequencing, directed mutagenesis, mutant screening, protein overexpression, purification and characterization, as well as viral, bacterial and tissue culture techniques. 
• BIOT-T 680 Specialized Topics in Biotechnology (1-3 cr.) This is a specialized topics course. The content of which will vary from one semester to the next depending on the instructor. The course content is meant to be specialized to offer a wide variety of topics of interest to Biotechnology graduate students and students minoring in Biotechnology. Instructors will include faculty in the Biotechnology program, other faculty whose research interests include Biotechnology, as well as visiting researchers from Biotechnology industries that will offer unique insights into research topics in the Biotechnology field.