The biotechnology program offers two tracks, a research thesis track and a scholarly paper track:

1. Research Thesis track: 33 credits minimum, 36 credits recommended for biotechnology concentration
2. 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

BIO 794	Internship in Biotechnology	3 cr
BIO 798	Thesis Research	3 cr

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.