College Schools, Departments & Programs

Biotechnology

Major in Biotechnology—B.A.
Purpose

The B.A. major in Biotechnology is tightly integrated with the needs of numerous life science businesses. The B.A. curriculum is designed for students who will receive rigorous training to pursue aspects of biotechnology such as pharmaceutical sales, marketing, technical writing or data specializations. Completing a major in Biotechnology would be advantageous to those who are planning to undertake non-research-oriented business or sales opportunities in the life sciences. Students may combine a major in Biotechnology with degrees in Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry.

Requirements
  1. CHEM-C 117 and CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry Lecture and Lab (3 + 2 cr.), and CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures (3 cr.)
  2. One mathematics course chosen from MATH-M 118, M119, M211, M212, or M213 (3-4 cr.)
  3. One of the following statistics courses:
    • MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques
    • PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
    • LAMP-L 316 Junior Seminar: Analytical Problem Solving
    • STAT-S 300 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
    • STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences
    • SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (Note that although SPEA-K 300 fulfills the statistics requirement, it does not count as hours inside the major.)
  4. BUS-X 418 Life Sciences Global Events and Trends and BUS-X 419 The Life Sciences Industry from Research to Patient
  5. One of the following health care courses:
    • SPEA-H 352 Healthcare Financial Management I
    • SPEA-H 432 Health Care Marketing
    • MSCI-M 440 Health Care in America
  6. 22 credit hours of coursework in Biology and Biotechnology to include:
    • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
    • BIOL-M 250 Microbiology
    • BIOT-T 301 Seminar in Biotechnology
    • BIOT-T 310 Biotechnology Lecture
    • BIOT-T 312 Societal Issues in Biotechnology
    • BIOT-T 315 Biotechnology Laboratory
    • BIOT-T 322 Biotechnology Writing and Communication
    • BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules

Students must also complete the degree requirements for the B.A. in the College of Arts and Sciences.