Requirements & Courses
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Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include:
- Core (12 credits): BIO 121, BCM 201, BCM 401, BCM 430;
- Electives (12 credits): Choose 12 credits from BIO 125, BCM 321, BCM 380, BCM 422, BIO 204, BIO 308, BIO 320, CHM 224, and either BIO 207 or IPH 227;
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Program Considerations:
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Note that some elective courses have additional prerequisites.
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Students with AP Biology test scores of 5 may elect to receive four credits of BIO-121, thus fulfilling this requirement.
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Students are invited to petition the Biotechnology Steering Committee in writing if they encounter new or distinctive course offerings that are relevant to the minor.
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BTC125M.Protein Expression Techniques4 creditsThis hands-on course focuses on various protein expression models in today’s molecular research laboratory. Expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial and animal cell culture has become a critical skill set for work in modern academic and applies industrial research settings. Instrumentation experience will include but not be limited to: Biosafety Level-2 in vitro cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, UV-VIS Spectrophotometry, SDS-PAGE, and affinity chromatography. Brief morning planning sessions coordinated by the instructor and upper level students will be followed by a full day in the laboratory. Course fee.
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BTC280.Biostatistics4 creditsIntroduction to the analytical methods commonly used in biotechnology and biomedical sciences. Emphasis on the basic concepts of experimental design, quantitative analysis of data and hypothesis testing. Provides a foundation to evaluate information critically to support research objectives and a better understanding of statistical design of experimental trials for biological products/devices.
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BTC299.Research in Biotechnology1 creditPrerequisite: PermissionStudents will work independently on a faculty-mentored research project. This typically involves conducting experiments, gathering data and analyzing data.
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BTC320.Medical Botany4 creditsPrerequisite: BIO-121 and CHM-223Study of the contribution of plants to modern medicine. Topics include the botany, anthropology, chemistry, and pharmacology of plant derived drugs. Course fee. (Cross-listed as BIO-320.)
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BTC325M.Protein Expression Techniques4 creditsThis hands-on course focuses on various protein expression models in today’s molecular research laboratory. Expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial and animal cell culture has become a critical skill set for work in modern academic and applies industrial research settings. Instrumentation experience will include but not be limited to: Biosafety Level-2 in vitro cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, UV-VIS Spectrophotometry, SDS-PAGE, and affinity chromatography. Brief morning planning sessions coordinated by the instructor and upper level students will be followed by a full day in the laboratory. Course fee.
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BTC399.Research in Biotechnology1 creditPrerequisite: PermissionStudents will work independently on a faculty-mentored research project. This typically involves conducting experiments, gathering data and analyzing data.
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BTC430.Molecular Genetics4 creditsPrerequisite: BCM-321 and BIO-204Study of the transmission of information at the molecular level and the techniques used in gene analysis. Topics include gene structure and function, gene expression, genetic mobility, genomics, transgenics and recombinant DNA methodology. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BTC499.Research in Biotechnology1 creditPrerequisite: PermissionStudents will work independently on a faculty-mentored research project. This typically involves conducting experiments, gathering data and analyzing data.
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BTC500.Senior Thesis4 creditsPrerequisite: PermissionIndependent laboratory research of an original problem resulting in a thesis and public presentation. Required for departmental honors.
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BCM321.Biochemistry4 creditsPrerequisite: BIO-121, CHM-223, CHM-224 (CHM-224 may be taken concurrently), and Junior StandingOverview of the major topics of biochemistry including the chemistry, structure, function, biological activity and molecular mechanisms of the major biological macromolecules. Introduction to bioenergetics and central metabolic pathways. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BCM430.Molecular Genetics4 creditsPrerequisite: BCM-321 or BCM-401Study of the transmission of information at the molecular level and the techniques used in gene analysis. Topics include gene structure and function, gene expression, genetic mobility, genomics, transgenics and recombinant DNA methodology. Laboratory. Course fee. (Offered Winter, Even numbered years)
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BIO121.Foundations of Biology4 creditsFoundational concepts of biology are introduced through a combination of activities, case studies, presentations and discussions, and hands-on laboratory experiences. Students explore the essentials of metabolism, basic cell membrane and organelle structure and function, biosynthesis, DNA replication, cell division, reproduction, and Mendelian genetics within broader biological contexts such as human ecology and health, environmental issues, and evolution. The laboratory component provides students with practical experiences that develop laboratory skills and that employ the scientific method and basic data analyses. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BIO204.Genetics4 creditsPrerequisite: BIO-121 and Sophomore StandingThe mechanics of inheritance at the molecular and cellular levels and the relationship of this phenomenon to gene action, organismal development, population changes and evolution. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BIO207.Comparative and Environmental Physiology4 creditsThe study of dynamic organ system functions that maintains animal homeostasis under varying activity levels and in the face of changing environmental conditions. Focus is placed on negative or positive feedback control systems that regulate physiological variables and on the mediating cellular mechanisms of sensors, effectors, integrators, and intervening pathways. Physiological adaptations as they allow animals to cope in their environments are stressed. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BIO308.Microbiology4 creditsPrerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing or PermissionSurvey of the bacteria, viruses and other protists emphasizing their structure, physiology, systematics, ecology and genetics. Focuses on microbes important to humans including disease and the immune response. Laboratory. Course fee.
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BIO330.Immunology4 creditsPrerequisite: BIO-121 or IPH-131 or permissionThe basic elements of the immune system that govern the innate and adaptive immune responses will be covered. Emphasis will be spent on B and T lymphocyte functions and the mechanisms of immune defense against pathogens. Course fee.
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CHM115.Chemical Analysis4 creditsPrerequisite: MTH-110 or PlacementIntroduction to the basic principles of chemistry in a context of chemical analysis. Intended for students in the sciences. Includes the periodic table, elements, ionic and covalent compounds, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, gases, pH and acid-base and oxidation-reduction reactions. DR and academic credit will only be awarded to one of CHM-103 or CHM-115. Laboratory. Course fee.
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CHM223.Organic Chemistry I4 creditsPrerequisite: CHM-115Study of the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds, emphasizing the various functional groups and their transformations, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry, and the development of synthetic schemes. Laboratory. Course fee.
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CHM224.Organic Chemistry II4 creditsPrerequisite: CHM-115, 223Study of the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds, emphasizing the various functional groups and their transformations, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry, and the development of synthetic schemes. Laboratory. Course fee.
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CHM230.Inorganic Chemistry4 creditsPrerequisite: CHM-224 or PermissionStudy of the chemistry of the metals and non-metals emphasizing periodic behavior, elementary thermodynamics, ionic and covalent structures, oxidation and reduction reactions, acid-base chemistry, equilibria, transition metal complexes and reaction kinetics. Laboratory. Course fee.
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IPH340.Pharmacology4 creditsPrerequisite: IPH-227 or BIO-207Overview of the major concepts of pharmaceutical sciences. Includes the study of basic pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles as related to the major classes of drugs used in the clinical setting today.
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PHY112.Physics of the Human Body I4 creditsPrerequisite: MTH-112, 113, or 121 or PermissionFirst half of an introductory course on general physics with examples drawn from applications to the human body. Uses algebra and trigonometry, but not calculus. Physical principles are used to explain body functions such as muscles and human motion, with topics including mechanics, rotation, and conservation laws. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY113.Physics of the Human Body II4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-112Second half of the introductory class started in PHY112. Uses algebra and trigonometry, but not calculus. General physical principles are introduced and used to explain body functions including: hearing and acoustics, vision and optics, and electric forces and signaling. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY121.Introduction to Physics I4 creditsPrerequisite: MTH-113 or MTH-121 previously or concurrentlyCalculus-based treatment of one and two-dimensional mechanics, vectors, force, work, energy, momentum, torque, and static equilibrium. Offered every Fall. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY122.Introduction to Physics II4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-121Continuation of PHY 121. Topics include oscillations and waves, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and basic thermodynamics. Offered every Winter. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PSY201.Physiological Psychology4 creditsPrerequisite: PSY-120 or 121Study of physiological processes and structures underlying behavior and development. Laboratory techniques for investigation of electrical and chemical brain activity. Laboratory. Course fee.
