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Biotechnology

  • Minor
  • Certification

Biotechnology describes the manipulation of a living system, at any level, for the purpose of creating a useful product or process.

Over the past twenty years, the emerging field of biotechnology has fundamentally changed the world we live in. It has led to breakthrough medical discoveries, greater understanding of the building blocks of life, advances in evolutionary biology, environmental remediation, agriculture, industrial processes, biomaterials and even artificial intelligence. It has also spawned intense controversy. Public policy debates, ethical and religious concerns, legal and financial scandals and questions of research integrity have all been a part of the biotechnology revolution.

Applicants to the program have the opportunity to apply for a four year, $5000 annual STEP Scholarship. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program or STEP, is a national initiative that encourages global competitiveness in the sciences. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Collaborative Learning Program, a peer-led learning program.

Apply now for four year, $5000 STEP scholarships!

Undergraduate Programs

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements for a Minor in Biotechnology

    Minor in Biotechnology
    To be completed concurrently with a traditional major course of study.

    Minor Requirements (21 Credits)
    BL 214 Molecular Genetics* - 3 credits 
    BL 215 Molecular Genetics Laboratory - 1 credit
    BL 216 Biotechnology* - 3 credits 
    BL 217 Biotechnology Laboratory - 1 credit
    BIN 218 Bioinformatics I - 3 credits
    PS 218 Policy and Business of Technology - 3 credits
    PL 218 Bioethics 3 or RS 282 Christian Bioethics - 3 credits
    3 credits selected from: 
    BA 104 Introduction to Management - 3 credits
    BA 230 Introduction to Entrepreneurship - 3 credits
    PS 150 Government and Business - 3 credits
    Internship/Research Experience/Cumulative Paper - 1 credit

    *These courses require the General Biology series (BL 151-154) as a prerequisite. The minor in Biotechnology requires, in addition to coursework, an applied internship, research experience or cumulative paper.

  • Certification Prerequisites

    BL 150 General Biology I - 3 credits
    BL 152 General Biology II - 3 credits
    BL 151 General Biology Laboratory I - 1 credit
    BL 153 General Biology Laboratory II - 1 credit
    CH 101 General Chemistry I - 3 credits
    CH 102 General Chemistry II - 3 credits
    CH 103 General Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
    CH 104 General Chemistry Laboratory II - 1 credit
    CH 221 Organic Chemistry I - 3 credits
    CH 222 Organic Chemistry II - 3 credits
    CH 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
    CH 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II - 1 credit
    BL 214 Molecular Genetics - 3 credits
    BL 215 Molecular Genetics Laboratory - 1 credit 
    BL 208 Cell Biology - 3 credits
    BL 209 Cell Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
    MA 109 Calculus I - 4 credits

  • Requirements for a Certification in Biotechnology

    This certification may be acquired as a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (usually in one year), or concurrently with a traditional major course of study (may require an additional semester to complete).

    Certification Requirements (32 credits): 
    BL 216 Biotechnology - 3 credits
    BL 217 Biotechnology Laboratory - 1 credit
    BIN 218 Bioinformatics I - 3 credits
    BL 260 Biostatistics - 3 credits
    CH 251 Proteins & Metabolism - 3 credits
    CH 253 Proteins & Metabolism Laboratory - 1 credit
    CH 252 Nucleic Acids - 3 credits
    CH 254 Nucleic Acids Laboratory - 1 credit
    PS 218 Policy and Business of Technology - 3 credits
    PL 218 Bioethics 3 or RS 282 Christian Bioethics - 3 credits
    4 credits (course & laboratory) selected from:
    BL 220 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy - 3 credits
    BL 221 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory - 1 credit
    BL 222 Developmental Biology - 3 credits
    BL 223 Developmental Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
    BL 224 Mammalian Physiology - 3 credits
    BL 225 Mammalian Physiology Laboratory - 1 credit
    3 credits selected from: 
    BA 104 Introduction to Management - 3 credits
    BA 220 Principles of Marketing - 3 credits
    BA 230 Introduction to Entrepreneurship - 3 credits
    Internship/Research Experience & Portfolio Completion - 1 credit

    The Certification in Biotechnology requires, in addition to coursework, an applied internship or research experience, either paid or unpaid (which can occur on or off campus, during the summer or during the school year), and the completion of an individualized Portfolio. The Portfolio will be used to highlight a student’s acquired and demonstrated skills in biotechnology laboratory techniques, as well as their broader understanding of the field from a regulatory, policy, business, ethical, legal and societal perspective. It will also convey a student’s communicative and presentation abilities. At least 12 credits of the Certificate course requirements must be completed at Saint Vincent College.

Program Highlights

Student Learning Outcomes

At the core of a biotechnology curriculum is a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and laboratory expertise. It is the interconnection of these fields that creates opportunity. The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing is able to deliver an interdisciplinary curriculum while maintaining the intimacy of a small liberal arts college, allowing students to explore various interconnected subspecialties through one-on-one research experiences with faculty and industry.

Biotechnology, however, is more than just a discipline of science. It touches ethics, public policy, government, economics, business, education and law. Saint Vincent College has a distinct advantage in educating and preparing students for careers in biotechnology that extend beyond the laboratory. With strong existing programs in these liberal arts areas, we are in a position to address the whole discipline of biotechnology.

Undergraduate Programs
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