Biotechnology

Program

Name: Scott Gygax, PhD
Position: Vice-Chair & Program Director, Biotechnology
Organization: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Biotechnology

Contact Admissions

Contact Number(s):

Curriculum

The curriculum for Biotechnology varies based on the program option you choose.

Bachelor of Science, Two-Year Option

A two-year Bachelor of Science program.

Credit Summary Credits
Credits Required for Admission 55
Credits for Year One (minimum) 31
Credits for Year Two (minimum) 35
Total Credits for BS in Biotechnology 121

Fall Semester (19 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 303 Lab Design & Stewardship w/ Lab 3
BT 310 Fundamental Molecular Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 405 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3
LS 301 Molecular Biology 3
LS 304 Biochemistry 3
BT 305 Survey of Biotechnology Applications 3
Spring Semester (15-16 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 320 Cell Culture & Expression Systems w/ Lab 4
BT 410 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 411 Protein Purification and Characterization w/ Lab 3
LS 440 Current Research in the Biosciences 2
TBD Program-Approved Elective 2-3

Fall Semester (14-15 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 412 Biotechnology Practicum I 3
BT 422 Biotechnology Practicum II 3
LS 403 Research Design 2
LS 331 Immunology w/ Lab 3
TBD Program-Approved Elective 2-3
LS 404 Experimental Research I 1
Spring Semester (18 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 325 Product Development and Management 3
BT 403 Human Genetics 3
BT 406 Bioinformatics 2
BT 416 Comprehensive Examination 0
BT 432 Biotechnology Practicum III 3
BT 442 Biotechnology Practicum IV 3
LS 430 Laboratory Standards and Practices 3
LS 405 Experimental Research II 1

Bachelor of Science, One-Year Option

An accelerated, one-year Bachelor of Science program.

Credit Summary Credits
Credits Required for Admission 70
Credits for Senior Year 57
Total Credits for BS in Biotechnology 127

Course Title Credits
BT 303 Lab Design & Stewardship w/ Lab 3
BT 310 Fundamental Molecular Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 405 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3
LS 301 Molecular Biology 3
LS 304 Biochemistry 3
LS 331 Immunology w/ Lab 3
LS 403 Research Design 2

Course Title Credits
BT 320 Cell Culture & Expression Systems w/ Lab 4
BT 325 Product Development and Management 3
BT 403 Human Genetics 3
BT 406 Bioinformatics 2
BT 410 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 411 Protein Purification and Characterization w/ Lab 3
LS 440 Current Research in the Biosciences 2

Course Title Credits
BT 412 Biotechnology Practicum I 3
BT 416 Comprehensive Examination 0
BT 422 Biotechnology Practicum II 3
BT 432 Biotechnology Practicum III 3
BT 442 Biotechnology Practicum IV 3
LS 430 Laboratory Standards and Practices 3

Bachelor of Science & Master of Science

A two-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Science program.

Credit Summary Credits
Credits Required for Admission 82
Undergraduate Credits 38
Graduate Credits 32-34
Total Credits for BS and MS in Biotechnology (minimum) 152-154

Fall Semester (19 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 303 Lab Design & Stewardship w/ Lab 3
BT 305 Survey of Biotechnology Applications 3
BT 310 Fundamental Molecular Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 405 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3
LS 301 Molecular Biology 3
LS 304 Biochemistry 3
Spring Semester (19 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 320 Cell Culture & Expression Systems w/ Lab 4
BT 403 Human Genetics 3
BT 406 Introduction to Bioinformatics 2
BT 410 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques w/ Lab 4
BT 411 Protein Purification and Characterization w/ Lab 3
LS 540 Current Research in the Biosciences 3

Fall Semester (17-18 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 812 Biotechnology Practicum I 3
BT 813 Biotechnology Practicum II 3
LS 531 Immunology w/ Lab 3
LS 603 Research Design 2

LS 640 Methods in Bioscience Education
-OR-
LS 805* Experimental Research II

3
 LS 804 Experimental Research I  1
TBD Program-Approved Elective 2-3
Spring Semester (15-16 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 525 Product Development and Management 3
BT 814 Biotechnology Practicum III 3
BT 815 Biotechnology Practicum IV 3
BT 816 Comprehensive Examination 0
LS 610 Regulatory and Fiscal Issues in Laboratory Management 3
LS 805 Experimental Research II 1
TBD Program-Approved Elective 2-3

Master of Science, One-Year Option

A one-year Master of Science program.

Credit Summary Credits
Total Credits for MS in Bioscience Technologies (1-year option) 57

Course Title Credits
BT 503 Lab Design & Stewardship w/ Lab 3
BT 510 Fundmental Molecular Techniques  w/ Lab 4
BT 605 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3
LS 501 Molecular Biology 3
LS 504 Biochemistry 3
LS 531 Immunology  w/ Lab 3
LS 603 Research Design 2

Course Title Credits
BT 520 Cell Culture & Expression Systems  w/ Lab 4
BT 525 Product Development and Management 3
BT 603 Human Genetics 3
BT 606 Bioinformatics 2
BT 610 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques  w/ Lab 4
BT 611 Protein Purification and Characterization  w/ Lab 3

Course Title Credits
BT 812 Practicum I 3
BT 813 Practicum II 3
BT 814 Practicum III 3
BT 815 Practicum IV 3
BT 816 Comprehensive Examination 0
LS 610 Regulatory and Fiscal Issues in Laboratory Management 3
LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research 2

Master of Science, Two-Year Option

A two-year Master of Science program.

Credit Summary Credits
Total Credits for MS in Biotechnology 57

Fall Semester (16 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 503 Lab Design & Stewardship  w/ Lab 3
BT 510 Fundamental Molecular Techniques  w/ Lab 4
BT 605 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3
LS 501 Molecular Biology 3
LS 504 Biochemistry 3
Spring Semester (16 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 520 Cell Culture & Expression Systems  w/ Lab 4
BT 603 Human Genetics 3
BT 606 Bioinformatics 2
BT 610 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques  w/ Lab 4
BT 611 Protein Purification and Characterization  w/ Lab 3

Fall Semester (12 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 812 Biotechnology Practicum I 2
BT 813 Biotechnology Practicum II 3
LS 531 Immunology w/ Lab 3
LS 603 Research Design 3
LS 804 Experimental Research I  1
Spring Semester (13 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 525 Product Development and Management 2
BT 814 Biotechnology Practicum III 2
BT 815 Biotechnology Practicum IV 3
BT 816 Comprehensive Exam 3
LS 610 Regulatory and Fiscal Issues in Lab Management 0
LS 805 Experimental Research II 1

Advanced Master of Science, Two-Year Option

A two-year Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree Program for students with a Bachelors degree in STEM or biotechnology who are currently working in the biotechnology,  pharmaceutical or STEM-based industry. This PSM degree is a flexible degree plan, tailored to the student’s interests and professional goals. Minimum of 31 graduate credits earned at completion.

Credit Summary Credits
Total Credits for MS in Biotechnology 31-34

Fall Semester (6 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 605 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3

LS 504/MLSO 504 Biochemistry

-OR- LS531/MLSO531 Immunology Lecture OR Immunology w/Lab

-OR- TBD Program Approved Elective

3
Spring Semester (7-8 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 606 Bioinformatics 3

BT 603/MLSO 603 Human Genetics

-OR- TBD Program-Approved Elective

3

BT 812 Biotechnology Practicum I

-OR TBD Program-Approved Elective

2-3
Summer Session (6 credits)
Course Title Credits

LS 610/MLSO 610 Regulatory and Fiscal Issues in Laboratory Management 

-OR- TBD Program-Approved Elective

3
BT 813 Biotechnology Practicum II (or program-approved elective) 3

Fall Semester (6 credits)
Course Title Credits
LS 603 Research Design 2
BT 814 Biotechnology Practicum III (or Program-Approved Elective) 3
 LS 804* Experimental Research I 1
Spring Semester (6-8 credits)
Course Title Credits
BT 525 Product Development and Management 3
BT 815 Biotechnology Practicum IV (or Program-Approved Elective) 2-3
LS 803* Contemporary Topics Research
-OR-
LS 805* Experimental Research II

2

1

*To meet the research requirement, students may take a classroom literature review-based course (LS 803) or, under special circumstances, engage in a two-semester wet bench research project with a selected PI (LS 804 and LS 805). Students must meet with their faculty advisor and/or program director to determine which option best meets their educational goals. LS 804 and LS 805 are not a substitute for nor may run concurrently with practica courses.

Advanced Master of Science, One-Year Option

A full-time one-year Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree Program for students with a Bachelors degree in STEM or biotechnology who are currently working in the biotechnology,  pharmaceutical or STEM-based industry. This PSM degree is a flexible degree plan, tailored to the student’s interests and professional goals. Minimum of 32 graduate credits earned at completion.

Credit Summary Credits
Total Credits for MS in Biotechnology 32-33

Course Title Credits
BT 605 Applied Microbial Biotechnology 3

LS 504/MLSO 504 Biochemistry 

-OR- LS 531 Immunology w/Lab

-OR- MLSO 531 Immunology Lecture

-OR- Program-Approved Elective

2-3
LS 603 Research Design 2

Course Title Credits
BT 525 Product Development and Management 3

BT 603 Human Genetics (or program-approved elective)

-OR- TBD Program-Approved Elective

3
BT 606 Bioinformatics 2

Course Title Credits
BT 812 Biotechnology Practicum I 3
BT 813 Biotechnology Practicum II 3
BT 814 Biotechnology Practicum III 3
BT 815 Biotechnology Practicum IV 3
BT 816 Comprehensive Examination 0

LS 610/MLSO 610 Regulatory and Fiscal Issues in Laboratory Management

-OR- TBD Program-Approved Elective

3
LS 803 Contemporary Topics Research 2