The biotechnology program offers two tracks, a research thesis track and a scholarly paper track:
- Research Thesis track: 33 credits minimum, 36 credits recommended for biotechnology concentration
- Scholarly Paper track: 36 credits
Because of the value of an extended research experience in preparing students for work in biotechnology, students are strongly recommended to follow the Research Thesis track, but it is also possible to complete the master’s degree by following the Scholarly Paper track; this would be especially appropriate for students who already have extensive lab experience.
| Course # |
Course Title |
|
BIO 645 |
Introduction to Biotechnology (3 credits) |
|
CHE 581 |
Laboratory Safety (1 credit) |
|
BIO 620 |
Experimental Design and Practical Statistics for Biologists |
|
BIO 794 |
Internship in Biotechnology (3 credits) |
| Choose one of the following lecture/lab combinations: |
 |
| Course # |
Course Title |
|
BIO 640/641 |
Graduate Genetics/
Graduate Genetics Lab (4 credits) |
BIO 650/651 |
Graduate Cell Biology/
Graduate Cell Biology Lab (4 credits) |
 |
| Choose one additional lab course from the following, including the co- or prerequisite lecture course: |
 |
| Course # |
Course Title |
|
BIO 504 |
Survey of Biochemistry (4 credits)
|
| BIO 506 |
Introduction to Molecular Biology (4 credits) |
| BIO 525 |
Transmission Electron Microscopy (4 credits) |
| BIO 526 |
Scanning Electron Microscopy (4 credits) |
| BIO 615/616 |
Regulatory Physiology/Regulatory Physiology Lab (4 credits) |
| BIO 626 |
Cell Culture Techniques (4 credits) |
| BIO 640/641 |
Graduate Genetics/
Graduate Genetics Lab (4 credits) |
| BIO 650/651 |
Graduate Cell Biology/Graduate Cell Biology Lab (4 credits) |
| BIO 674/675 |
Graduate Microbiology/Graduate Microbiology Lab (4 credits) |
| CHE 571/572 |
Biochemistry I and II (8 credits) |
| The following three courses in business (9 credits total, 3 credits each) |
 |
| Course # |
Course Title |
|
ACC 500 |
Financial Accounting (3 credits) |
|
BUS 551 |
Legal and Ethical Environment (intellectual property issues) (3 credits) |
|
MGT 561 |
Management Theory/Organizational Behavior (3 credits) |
 |
| One of the following business courses is recommended but not required
(3 credits): |
 |
| Course # |
Course Title |
BUS 580 |
Marketing (3 credits) |
|
or |
BUS 689 |
Persuasive Communication and Negotiation (3 credits) |
For the Research Thesis track, students must write and defend a thesis based on at least two semesters of Thesis Research (BIO 798/799, 6 credits total).
For the Scholarly Paper track (by permission only to biotechnology students), students must register for Scholarly Paper (BIO 796, 2 credits), and write and defend a scholarly paper based on library research in an area of interest in biology. Students will also need to complete additional course work in biology to give a total of 36 credits. Exceptions to the above courses may be approved only with special permission of the Graduate Committee.
Possible course program for Biotechnology students
The schedule below is one of several options and is designed for full-time students. This is a demanding program and students who are working should consider taking fewer courses per semester than outlined here.
In order to follow this sequence, students must take the GRE or GMAT in time to receive their scores by the beginning of the fall semester so that they could begin taking business classes immediately.
This course schedule may be subject to change.
Fall semester year one
|
BIO 640/641 |
Graduate Genetics/Graduate Genetics lab |
4 cr |
|
BIO 645 |
Introduction to Biotechnology |
3 cr |
|
CHE 581 |
Chemical Safety |
1 cr |
| BUS 551 |
Legal & Ethical Environment |
3 cr |
Spring semester year one
|
Graduate Level Biology Course |
3-4 cr |
|
ACC 500 |
Financial Accounting |
3 cr |
|
MGT 561 |
Management Theory/Organizational Behavior |
3 cr |
Summer sessions I & II
Fall semester year two
|
BIO 630 |
Experimental Design and Practical Statistics for Biologists |
3 cr |
|
BUS 580 |
Marketing |
3 cr |
|
BUS 689 |
Persuasive Communication and Negotiation |
3 cr |
| BIO 799 |
Thesis Research |
3 cr |
Fall and Spring semesters year two
Complete thesis research, write and defend thesis.