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Biotechnology Program

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements BIOTECBS
The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology provides students with fundamental training in basic scientific principles as well as specific concepts, techniques, and applications used in biotechnology. B.S. in Biotechnology graduates will be trained to work in biotechnology and related industries, including the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries; enroll in graduate programs (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Biotechnology or related fields such as Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and Biochemistry; or pursue advanced professional degrees such as M.D. (Medicine), M.B.A. (Business), or J.D. (Law) with an emphasis on Biotechnology issues. The B.S. is a rigorous degree that provides an excellent preparation for medical school, dental school and graduate school, as well as jobs in the life sciences.

Requirements

The major requires at least 39 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Biology and Biotechnology.
    1. Foundations of Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
      • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
    2. Molecular Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
      • BIOL-S 211 Molecular Biology, Honors
    3. Microbiology. One of the following options:
      • Microbiology. Two (2) courses:
        • BIOL-M 250 Microbiology
        • BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory
      • Virology. Two (2) courses:
        • BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
        • BIOL-M 435 Viral Tissue Culture Laboratory
    4. Seminar in Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 301 Seminar in Biotechnology
    5. Biotechnology Lecture. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 310 Biotechnology Lecture
    6. Societal Issues in Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 312 Societal Issues in Biotechnology
    7. 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
    8. Biotechnology Writing and Communication. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 322 Biotechnology Writing and Communication
    9. Theory and Applications of Biotechnology. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 415 Theory and Applications of Biotechnology Laboratory I
      • BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
      • Both of the following: when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • BUS-X 418 LIFE SCIENCE GLOBAL EVENTS AND TRENDS when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • BUS-X 419 LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRY FROM RESEARCH TO PATIENT when taken Summer 2024 or later
    10. Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules. One (1) course:
      • BIOT-T 440 Structure, Function, and Regulation of Biomolecules
  2. Electives. Three (3) courses:
    • BIOT-T 415 Theory and Applications of Biotechnology Laboratory I
    • BIOT-T 425 Laboratory in Macromolecular Production, Purification, and Characterization
    • BIOT-X 499 Biotechnology Research Capstone
    • BIOL-L 311 Genetics
    • BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
    • BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
    • BIOL-L 319 Genetics Laboratory
    • BIOL-L 321 Human Immunology
    • BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
    • BIOL-L 324 Human Molecular Biology Laboratory
    • BIOL-L 331 Introduction to Human Genetics
    • BIOL-L 388 Digital Biology: A Survey of Topics in Bioinformatics and Genomics
    • BIOL-L 411 Advanced Gene Regulation: Transcription, Epigenetics, and Human Disease
    • BIOL-L 417 Developmental Biology and Stem Cells
    • BIOL-M 250 Microbiology
    • BIOL-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory
    • BIOL-M 350 Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
    • BIOL-M 360 Microbial Physiology Laboratory
    • BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
    • BIOL-M 435 Viral Tissue Culture Laboratory
    • BIOL-M 440 Medical Microbiology: Lecture
    • BIOL-M 445 Medical Microbiology: Laboratory
    • BIOL-M 460 Microbial Evolution
    • BIOL-M 465 Environmental Microbiology Laboratory
    • BIOL-M 480 Microbial and Molecular Genetics
    • BIOL-M 485 Microbial and Molecular Genetics Laboratory
    • BIOL-P 451 Integrative Human Physiology
    • BIOL-Z 466 Endocrinology
    • BIOL-Z 469 Endocrinology Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
    • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
    • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
    • CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
    • CHEM-N 330
    • ANAT-A 464 HUMAN TISSUE BIOLOGY
  3. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Mathematics. One of the following options:
      • Calculus I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
        • MATH-S 211 Honors Calculus I
      • Brief Survey of Calculus. Two (2) courses:
        • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I
        • MATH-M 120 Brief Survey of Calculus II
    2. 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
      4. Organic Chemistry II. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures
        • CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II when taken Summer 2024 or later
        • CHEM-S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
      5. Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
      6. Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory. One (1) course:
        • CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
    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
    4. Physics.
      1. Physics I. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-P 201 General Physics I
        • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
        • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
      2. Physics II. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-P 202 General Physics II
        • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
        • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
  4. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. 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.
    2. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    4. 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.
    5. Exceptions to major requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.