Program Coordinator/Contact
Volker Brözel, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141
Program Information
This interdisciplinary program helps prepare students in fundamental sciences so that they may successfully compete for career opportunities in the growing life sciences industries. Graduates with expertise in biotechnology fill 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 may choose this major for preparation for admission to professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The program provides an excellent background for students entering graduate school in a life sciences discipline.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biotechnology major, students will:
- demonstrate understanding and application of evolution; biological structure and function; biological and biochemical pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and biological systems for producing value added products.
- apply the process of science.
- demonstrate understanding of and application of quantitative reasoning; information flow, exchange, and storage in living systems; relationship between science and society.
- tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science.
- communicate and collaborate with other disciplines.
- prepare a professional quality technical report.
- demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts in genetic engineering and related methods of genetic transformation, screening, DNA characterization, and genetic cloning.
- demonstrate the ability to perform as part of a multidisciplinary team in group activities.
Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the major courses.
Course Delivery Format
Program coursework is on-campus, in classroom and laboratories, as well as field-based settings. Additional coursework is available at off-campus attendance centers. Limited coursework is available online.
