Skip to main content
Biotechnology Program

Bachelor of Arts in Biotechnology

Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements BIOTECBA

The Bachelor of Arts 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

The major requires at least 31 credit hours (45 with the Addenda requirements), including the requirements listed below.
  1. Foundations.
    1. Foundations in Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
      • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
    2. Foundations in Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 105 Introduction to Biotechnology
    3. Molecular Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
      • BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
  2. Biotechnology.
    1. Seminar in Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 301 Seminar in Biotechnology
    2. Biotechnology Lecture. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 310 Biotechnology Lecture
    3. Societal Issues in Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 312 Societal Issues in Biotechnology
    4. Biotechnology Laboratory. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 315 Biotechnology Laboratory
      • BIOT-X 150 ASURE Biotechnology Research Lab 1
      • BIOL-X 150 ASURE Biology Research Lab 1 (Approved topics: "GENOME ENGINEERING" (TPC 1); "PHAGE HUNTERS" (TPC 5) when taken Summer 2024 or later)
      • PSY-X 150 ASURE Psychological and Brain Sciences Research (Approved topics: "CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH LAB" (TPC 3)) when taken Summer 2024 or later
    5. Biotechnology Writing and Communication. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 322 Biotechnology Writing and Communication
    6. Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules
  3. Life Sciences Industry. Three (3) credit hours:
    • BIOT-T 412 Product Development, Regulation, and Commercialization in Biotechnology
    • BIOT-T 415 Theory and Applications of Biotechnology Laboratory I
    • BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
    • BIOT-X 325 ASURE Biotechnology Research Lab 2
    • BIOL-X 325 ASURE Biology Research Lab 2 (approved topic: "Genome Engineering")
  4. Biotechnology Breadth Elective. One (1) course:
    • ECON-B 251 Fundamentals of Economics for Business I
    • ECON-E 344 Health Economics
    • GEOG-G 341 Ecological Restoration: Science, Politics, and Ethics
    • GEOG-G 359 Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
    • GEOG-G 469 Food and Global Poverty
    • GEOG-G 478 Global Change, Food, and Farming Systems
    • HPSC-X 305 History and Philosophy of Medicine
    • LAMP-M 302 Ethics and Responsible Management
    • SOC-S 315 Work in the New Economy
    • SOC-S 319 Science, Technology, and Society
    • SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
    • SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
    • BUS-X 418 LIFE SCIENCE GLOBAL EVENTS AND TRENDS
    • BUS-X 419 LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRY FROM RESEARCH TO PATIENT
    • MSCI-M 440 HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA
  5. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Chemistry.
      1. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
        • CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
        • CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
      2. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory
        • CHEM-H 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory, Honors
        • CHEM-X 150 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I
      3. Organic Chemistry I. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures
        • CHEM-J 341 Principles of Organic Chemistry I when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • CHEM-S 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors
    2. Mathematics. One (1) course:
      • MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics
      • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
      • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
      • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
      • MATH-M 213
      • MATH-S 118 Honors Finite Mathematics
      • MATH-S 211 Honors Calculus I
      • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
      • MATH-V 119 Applied Brief Calculus I (approved topic: "Applied Brief Calculus I for the Life Sciences")
    3. Statistics. One (1) course:
      • LAMP-L 316 Junior Seminar: Analytical Problem Solving
      • PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
      • STAT-S 300 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
      • STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences
      • SPEA-K 300 STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES
  6. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    5. College Breadth. At least 58 credit hours must be completed in courses from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines outside of the major area.

Major Area Courses

Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

  • Any course at the 100–499 level with the BIOT subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
  • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
  • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception

    This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

    • Accelerated Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Biotechnology (BIOTBSMSBS)
    • Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (BIOTECBS)
    • Minor in Biotechnology (BIOTECMIN)

    Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.