Biotechnology Major

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Don Marshall, Associate Dean
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Agricultural Hall 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 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 preprofessional 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

System General Education Requirements* Credits: 34

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Humanities and Arts/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 121-121L
or
MATH 123

MATH 123L
Credits: 5
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151-151L
and
BIOL 153-153L
Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements** Credits: 9

Goal #1 Land and Natural Resources:
BIOL 383
Credits: 4
Goal #2 Personal Wellness
Credits: 2-3
Goal #3 Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness
Credits: 3

Major Requirement Credits: 61-62

CHEM 112-112L - General Chemistry I and Lab* (COM) Credits: 4
CHEM 114-114L - General Chemistry II * (COM) Credits: 4
BIOL 202-202L - Genetics and Organismal Biology and Lab Credits: 4
CHEM 326-326L - Organic Chemistry I and Lab(COM) Credits: 4
ABS 205 - Biotechnology in Agriculture and Medicine Credits: 2
BIOL 204 - Genetics and Cellular Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 204L - Genetics and Cellular Lab Credits: 1
CHEM 328-328L - Organic Chemistry II and Lab(COM) Credits: 4
CHEM 464 - Biochemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 466 - Laboratory Methods- Biochemistry Credits: 1
PHYS 111-111L - Introduction to Physics I and Lab* (COM) Credits: 4
MICR 231-231L - General Microbiology and Lab (COM) Credits: 4
PHYS 113-113L - Introduction to Physics II and Lab* (COM) Credits: 4
BIOT 399-399L, Biotechnology and Lab Credits: 4
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) Credits: 3

Select one of the following:

Any course from the
Advanced Writing
List

AGEC 479 - Agricultural Policy (AW) (G) Credits: 3
PS 383-383L - Principles of Crop Improvement and Lab(AW) Credits: 3

Advanced Genetics Requirement

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:

ABE 343-343L - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials and Lab Credits: 3
BIOL 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

Electives: additional credits to reach a total of 128

Total Required Credits: 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.