Biotechnology Major

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Biotechnology Major

Don Marshall, Acting Dean and Director of Academic Programs
SAG 156
605-688-5133
email: Donald.Marshall@sdstate.edu

This interdisciplinary program helps prepare students in fundamental sciences so that they may successfully compete for career opportunities in the growing life sciences industries. Both a major and minor are available. Graduates with expertise in biotechnology will help fill the increasing demand from employers utilizing technologies such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, tissue culture, reproductive intervention, and biomass conversion in a variety of applications, such as vaccine and pharmaceutical development, agronomic seed production, livestock breeding, genetic and disease diagnostic testing, identity and parentage verification, criminal forensics, biorenewable product development, or biomedical research. Students could also choose this major for preparation for admission to professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The Biotechnology Major will also provide career alternatives for pre-professional students that are not admitted to a professional program. The program will provide excellent background for students entering graduate school in a life sciences discipline.

Requirements for Biotechnology Major
Bachelor of Science in Biological Science

Freshman Year:

Fall

BIOL 151 - General Biology I * (COM) Credits: 4
BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab * (COM) Credits: 0
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I * (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab * (COM) Credits: 1

Fall or Spring

SGR Goal 2 : Oral Communication Credits: 3
SGR Goal 3 : Social Science/Diversity Credits: 3
SGR Goal 4 : Humanitites and Arts/Diversity Credits: 3

ENGL 101 - Composition I * Credits: 3
MATH 121 - Survey of Calculus * (COM) Credits: 4
and MATH 121L - Survey of Calculus Applications Lab
or
MATH 123 - Calculus I * (COM)
and
MATH 123L - Calculus I Lab (COM)

Spring

BIOL 153 - General Biology II * Credits: 4
BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab * (COM) Credits: 0
CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II * (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab * (COM) Credits: 1

Sophomore Year:

Fall

BIOL 202 - Genetics and Organismal Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 202L - Genetics and Organismal Lab Credits: 1
CHEM 326 - Organic Chemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 326L - Organic Chemistry I Lab (COM) Credits: (1)

Fall or Spring

IGR Goal 2: Personal Wellness Credits: 2
IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: 3
SGR Goal 3: Social Science/Diversity Credits: 3
SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity Credits: 3

ENGL 201 - Composition II * Credits: 3

Spring

ABS 205 - Biotechnology in Agriculture and Medicine Credits: 2
BIOL 204 - Genetics and Cellular Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 204L - Genetics and Cellular Lab Credits: 1
CHEM 328 - Organic Chemistry II (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 328L - Organic Chemistry II Lab (COM) Credits: (1)

Junior Year:

Fall

BIOL 383 - Bioethics ** (G) Credits: 4
CHEM 464 - Biochemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 464L - Biochemistry I Lab (COM) Credits: 1
PHYS 111 - Introduction to Physics I * (COM) Credits: 4
PHYS 111L - Introduction Physics I Lab * (COM) Credits: 0

Fall or Spring

Electives Credits: 5

MICR 231 - General Microbiology (COM) Credits: 4
MICR 231L - General Microbiology Lab (COM) Credits: 0

Take one from the following:

AGEC 479 - Agricultural Policy (AW) (G) Credits: 3

Or

PS 383 - Principles of Crop Improvement (AW) Credits: 2
PS 383L - Principles of Crop Improvement Lab Credits: 1

Or

Any course from the Advanced Writing list.

Spring

PHYS 113 - Introduction to Physics II * (COM) Credits: 4
PHYS 113L - Introduction Physics II Lab * (COM) Credits: 0
BIOT 399 - Biotechnology Credits:
BIOT 399L - Biotechnology Lab Credits: 0

Senior Year:

Fall or Spring

STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) Credits: 3

Advanced Genetics Requirement

Select one from the following courses:

BIOL 453-553 - Advanced Genetics Credits: 3
PS 453-553 - Advanced Genetics Credits: 3
MICR 436 - Molecular and Microbial Genetics Credits: 4

Applications Requirement

Select one of the following courses:

ABE 343 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials Credits: 3
ABE 343L - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials Lab Credits: 0
BIOL 459-559 - Bioinformatics Credits: 3
MATH 459-559 - Bioinformatics Credits: 3
MICR 450 - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Credits: 3

Experiential Learning Requirement

Minimum 3 credits total required from the following:

(Prefix could be different if approved by program coordinator.)

BIOT 494 - Internship Credits: 1-6
BIOT 498 - Undergraduate Research Credits: 1-6

Additional elective credits to reach a total minimum of 128.

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.