DRAFT OF DESCRIPTION FOR THE UNIVERSITY BULLETIN (04/04, modified 03/05)
(Note that this description may be changed somewhat in its final version)

Major in Biotechnology – B.S.
IMPORTANT SCHEDULE NOTE:  Students can declare a major in biotechnology beginning in the summer of 2004.  However, students need to be aware that this degree program will be phased in, and the earliest date at which a student could graduate with the B.S. in Biotechnology would be May 2008.  Required upper-level courses will be phased in during 2006-2008.  See the advisor for details.

Purpose The B.S. in biotechnology is designed for students who wish to pursue careers after graduation in the fields of biotechnology or the biomedical sciences.  It is also a basis for further graduate training in biotechnology, the biological and biomedical sciences, and related professional fields, such as medicine, business, and patent law.  The program provides fundamental training in basic scientific principles as well as knowledge of specific techniques and applications used in biotechnology.  Graduates will be expected to have acquired the following:  knowledge of the principles of biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioanalytical chemistry; practical laboratory skills in many of these areas with emphasis on techniques used in modern biotechnology; a firm foundation in scientific integrity and proper scientific procedures; an appreciation of the broader ethical, environmental and societal issues involved in biotechnology; exposure to career opportunities in biotechnology through independent research, internships, and seminar series. 

Requirements Students must complete the following fundamental skills and distribution requirements:

1. English Composition.
2. Intensive Writing.
3. Mathematics, fulfilled by major.
4. Foreign language, three semesters in the same language or equivalent proficiency.  Culture studies courses are not required.
5. Topics course, one course – students are advised to choose a course that will serve as one of the required Arts and Humanities or Social and Historical Studies courses listed below.
6. Arts and humanities, two courses.
7. Social and historical studies, two courses.
8. Natural and mathematical sciences, fulfilled by major.

Major Requirements Students must meet the following with a minimum grade of C- in each course and a minimum major grade point average of C (2.0):

1. Mathematics M211 (or M119 and M120).
2. Statistics (Biostatistics course when available), Mathematics, Psychology, or SPEA K300 or K310, or LAMP L316.
3. Chemistry A314.
4. Biology L112, L211, M250, M255, T310, T312, T315.
5. Chemistry C117, C118 or N330, C341, C342, C343, C484, and C485.
6. Physics P201-P202.
7. At least four of the following courses for a minimum of 12 credit hours: Biology L312, L313, M350, M360, M430, M435, M440, M445, M460, M465, M480, M485, L490 (or courses from M.S. Biotechnology program, when available); Chemistry C318, C361, C432, C443, C481, C487

Biotechnology majors will be required to take four 1-credit "Seminars in Biotechnology" seminar courses. Students must also meet the degree requirements for the B.S. degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship or research during summer sessions. Students who wish to complete a business minor as part of their degree program are advised that they may need to take some of the relevant courses in the summer or in an additional semester.