Biotechnology (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Student working in a lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Yajun Wu, Interim 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.

Academic Requirements

A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the major courses.

Requirements for Biotechnology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences:
SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: MATH 115 - Precalculus (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 5 (Major Requirement) or Higher SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3-5
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
(Major Requirement), BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement), BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement), and BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement)

Major Requirements

ABE 343 - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials Credits: 2
ABE 343L - Engineering Properties of Biological Materials Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 2
BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
BIOL 202 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 202L - Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 204 - Introduction to Cell Biology (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 204L - Introduction to Cell Biology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 235 - Introduction to Biotechnology (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
BIOL 235L - Introduction to Biotechnology Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
BIOL 290 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1 (Introduction to Capstone and Scientific Communication)
BIOL 383 - Bioethics (COM) Credits: 4
CEE 225 - Principles of Environmental Science and Engineering Credits: 3
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 332 - Analytical Chemistry (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 332L - Analytical Chemistry Lab (COM) Credits: 1
MATH 115 - Precalculus (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 5 or higher SGR #5. Consult advisor as some professional schools require calculus.
MICR 233 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
MICR 233L - Introductory Microbiology Lab Credits: 1
MICR 448 - Molecular and Microbial Genetics Credits: 4
MICR 438L - Techniques in Molecular Biology Laboratory Credits: 2
MICR 450 - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Credits: 3
PHYS Electives Credits: 4
STAT 281 - Introduction to Statistics (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
STAT 435 - Applied Bioinformatics Credits: 3

Advanced Fundamentals and Applications Requirements

Select at least 14-18 credits from the following courses. Credits: 14-18

AS 332 - Livestock Breeding and Genetics Credits: 4
AS 333 - Livestock Reproduction Credits: 2
AS 333L - Livestock Reproduction Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 221L - Human Anatomy Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 325 - Physiology (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 325L - Physiology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 415 - Mycology (COM) Credits: 2
BIOL 415L - Mycology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 470 - Cancer Biology (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 483 - Developmental Biology (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 433 - Bioanalytical Chemistry Credits: 2
CHEM 448 - Biophysical Chemistry Credits: 3
CHEM 448L - Biophysical Chemistry Lab Credits: 1
CHEM 464 - Biochemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 465 - Biochemistry II (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 466 - Laboratory Methods - Biochemistry Credits: 1
DS 312 - Dairy Cattle Breeding and Evaluation Credits: 2
DS 312L - Dairy Cattle Breeding and Evaluation Lab Credits: 2
DS 415 - Dairy Microbiology Credits: 2
DS 415L - Dairy Microbiology Lab Credits: 2
HO 414 - Plant Propagation Credits: 2
HO 414L - Plant Propagation Lab Credits: 1
HO / PS 383 - Principles of Crop Improvement Credits: 2
HO / PS 383L - Principles of Crop Improvement Lab Credits: 1
MICR 332 - Microbial Physiology Credits: 2
MICR 332L - Microbial Physiology Lab Credits: 2
MICR 424 - Medical and Veterinary Virology Credits: 3
MICR 439 - Medical and Veterinary Immunology Credits: 3
MICR 440L - Infectious Disease Lab Credits: 3
MICR 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required. Max of 3 credits allowed.)
or BIOL 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required. Max of 3 credits allowed.)
MICR 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-4 (3 credits required. Max of 3 credits allowed.)
or BIOL 498 - Research (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required. Max of 3 credits allowed.)
VET 223 - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Credits: 3
VET 223L - Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals Lab Credits: 1

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements*: 21 Credit Hours
Major Requirements: 84-90 Credit Hours
Electives**: 9-15 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.