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Pre-2019 | Illustrative Biotechnology Course Sequence

These course sequence models are provided as examples of ways to meet all the graduation requirements of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the Biotechnology Curriculum in the specific options within four years. This is only an illustrative tool to show you an example of how to meet the requirements and does not substitute for faculty advising. You must consult with your faculty advisor before registration for classes. The examples shown here (even though "OR" is shown in some cases) do not cover all the possibilities, just some of the most common ones. There may be other sequences that satisfy the requirements.

Important Notice for All Biotechnology Majors

Please be aware of course and grade requirements as prerequisites for core biotechnology courses:

  1. Molecular Genetics (11:126:481; offered fall semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Genetics 01:447:380 (offered in fall, spring and summer semesters)
  2. Molecular Genetics Laboratory (11:126:482; offered spring semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Molecular Genetics (11:126:481); additional prerequisite: General Microbiology 11:680:390 (offered in fall, spring, and summer)
  3. Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (11:126:427; offered fall semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Based on past experience, students doing poorly in prerequisite courses are not capable of comprehending course material. Therefore, any student who does not meet the appropriate grade requirement(s) will be deregistered from the relevant course prior to the start of each semester.

Prerequisite Structure

TO STAY ON TRACK FOR A 4 YEAR PROGRAM, THE FOLLOWING COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DESIGNATED JUNCTURES:

  1. General Biology (2 semesters) - BEFORE FIRST SEMESTER OF SOPHOMORE YEAR
  2. Genetics - BEFORE FIRST SEMESTER OF JUNIOR YEAR
  3. General Microbiology - BEFORE THE SECOND SEMESTER OF JUNIOR YEAR
  4. Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetics Lab - BY THE END OF JUNIOR YEAR

Biotechnology Options Pre-2019 (2019 version here)

Animal Biotechnology Option
Bioinformatics Option
Bioscience Policy and Management Option
General Biotechnology Option
Microbial Biotechnology Option
Plant Biotechnology Option
 

Animal Biotechnology Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)
Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15
  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:119:117 General Biology Laboratory (2)
  3. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  5. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  6. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
Total Semester Credits: 15.5 (or 16.5)
Cumulative Total Credits: 30.5 -31.5
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
  2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent *
  4. Course fulfilling SEBS core requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 45.5 - 46.5

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

  1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent *
  4. Courses fulfilling SEBS core requirements (6)
Total Semester Credits: 18
Cumulative Total Credits: 63.5-64.5

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
  3. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3)
  4. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3))
  5. Courses fulfilling SEBS Core requirements (3)
Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 79.5 - 80.5
  1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
  3. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3)
  4. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)
  5. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
Total Semester Credits: 16
Total Credits: 96.5-97.5
F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1.5)
  2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
  3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
  4. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  5. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)
  6. SEBS Core curriculum requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 15.5-17.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 112 - 115

** An appropriate SPIN placement approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
  1. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)
  2. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3) OR 11:126:498 Research in Biotechnology (3)
  3. SEBS Core Curriculum requirement (9)
  4. Free option elective (0-3)
Total Semester Credits: 15-18
Cumulative Total Credits: 128-130

** An appropriate cooperative education placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

Bioinformatics Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)
Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15
  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:119:117 General Biology Laboratory (2)
  4. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  5. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4)
  6. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
Total Semester Credits: 15.5 or 16.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 30.5 - 31.5
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
  2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4) *
  4. SEBS core curriculum requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 45.5 - 46.5

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

  1. 01:198:112 Data Structures (4)
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
  4. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4)*
Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 61.5 - 62.5

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  2. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  3. 11:115:403 General Biochemistry (4)
  4. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
  5. SEBS core curriculum requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 17
Cumulative Total Credits: 78.5.5 - 79.5
  1. 01:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  2. 11:115:404 General Biochemistry (3)
  3. 01:960:379 Basic Probability and Statistics (3) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  4. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
  5. SEBS core curriculum requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 94.5 - 95.5
F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:401 Seminar in Biotechnology(1.5)
  2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
  3. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  4. 11:126:485 Bioinformatics (3)
  5. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
  6. SEBS core curriculum Requirements (3)
Total Semester Credits: 15.5-17.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 110 - 113

** An appropriate cooperative education placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
  1. 11:126:484 Tools for Bioinformatic Analysis (3)
  2. SEBS core curriculum requirements (9)
  3. Free electives (3-6)
  4. Total Semester Credits: 15-18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

Bioscience Policy and Management Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)
Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15
  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:119:117 General Biology Lab (2)
  3. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  5. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  6. 11:373:121 Principles and Applications of Microeconomics (3)
Total Semester Credits: 17 - 18
Cumulative Total Credits: 32 - 33
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  2. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
  3. 11:373:231 Introduction to Marketing (3)
  4. 11:373:241 Introduction to Management (3)
  5. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
Total Semester Credits: 17
Cumulative Total Credits: 49 - 50
  1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
  4. Bioscience Policy OR Management Option Elective (3)
  5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
  6. SEBS core requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 17.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 66.5 - 67.5
T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
  3. Bioscience Policy OR Management Option Elective (3)
  4. SEBS core requirements (6)
Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 82.5 - 83.5
  1. 01:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
  3. Bioscience Policy OR Management Option Elective (3)
  4. 11:373:404 Bioscience Policy (3)
  5. SEBS core requirement (3)
Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 98.5 - 99.5
F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:401 Seminar in Biotechnology (1.5)
  2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
  3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
  4. 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
  5. 11:126:497/498 Reasearch in Biotechnology (3) **
  6. 11:373:403 Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)
Total Semester Credits: 16.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 115 - 116

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

** An appropriate cooperative education placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
  1. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent *
  2. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
  3. SEBS core requirement (6)
Total Semester Credits: 13
Cumulative Total Credits: 128-129

*Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

General Biotechnology Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15

  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  4. 01:119:117 Gen. Biology Lab (2)
  5. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  6. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5 - 16.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 30.5 - 31.5
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
  2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
  4. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 45.5 - 46.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

  1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) *
  4. SEBS core curriculum reqs. (6)

Total Semester Credits:18
Cumulative Total Credits: 63.5 - 64.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
  3. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
  4. Option Elective Course (3)
  5. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)

Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 79.5 - 80.5

  1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
  3. Required General Biotechnology Option course (3)
  4. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
  5. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)

Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 95.5 - 96.5

F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Bio. (4)
  2. 11:126:401 Seminar in Biotechnology (1.5)
  3. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  4. SEBS core curriculum req. (6)
  5. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1) (3)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5-18.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 111 - 115
** An appropriate SPIN placement approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology

  1. 11:067:430 Animal Microtechniques and Tissue Culture (4) OR 11:776:452 Plant Tissue Culture (3)
  2. Gen. Option Elective Course (6)
  3. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)
  4. Free Elective Course(s) (0 – 5)

Total Semester Credits: 13 -17
Cumulative Total Credits: 128

Microbial Biotechnology Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)*

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15

  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:119:117 Gen. Biology Lab (2)
  4. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  5. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  6. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5 - 16.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 30.5 - 31.5
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
  2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)*
  4. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 45.5 - 46.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

  1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) *
  4. SEBS core curriculum req. (6)

Total Semester Credits: 18
Cumulative Total Credits: 63.5 - 64.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
  3. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
  4. SEBS core curriculum req. (3)
  5. 11:680:494 Applied Microbiology (4)

Total Semester Credits: 17
Cumulative Total Credits: 80.5 - 81.5
  1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
  3. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
  4. Option Elective Courses (6)

Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 96.5 – 97.5
F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:401 Seminar in Biotechnology (1.5)
  2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
  3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
  4. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  5. SEBS core curriculum req. (6)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5-17.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 112 - 115
** An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
  1. Option Elective Courses (7)
  2. SEBS core requirements (6)
  3. Free elective (3)

Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 128-131
*An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

Plant Biotechnology Option
 
Fall Term Spring Term
F
I
R
S
T

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  2. 01:119:115 General Biology (4)
  3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
  4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 15

  1. 01:119:116 General Biology (4)
  2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
  3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
  4. 01:119:117 Gen. Biol, Lab (2)
  5. 01:640:136 Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
  6. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5 - 16.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 30.5 - 31.5
S
E
C
O
N
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4) *
  2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 11:776:305 Plant Genetics (4)
  4. SEBS core requirement (3)

Total Semester Credits: 15
Cumulative Total Credits: 45.5 - 46.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

  1. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) *
  2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
  3. 11:776:242 Plant Science (3)
  4. SEBS core requirement (6)

Total Semester Credits:17
Cumulative Total Credits: 62.5 - 63.5
* Physics lab is not required for biotechnology majors, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

T
H
I
R
D

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
  2. 11:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
  3. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
  4. Option elective course (3)
  5. SEBS core requirement (3)

Total Semester Credits: 17
Cumulative Total Credits: 79.5 – 80.5
  1. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
  2. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (4)
  3. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
  4. 11:126:413 Plant Molecular Biology (3)
  5. SEBS core requirement (3)

Total Semester Credits: 16
Cumulative Total Credits: 95.5 - 96.5

F
O
U
R
T
H

Y
E
A
R
  1. 11:126:401 Seminar in Biotechnology (1.5)
  2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
  3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
  4. 11:126:383 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
  5. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  6. SEBS core requirement (3)

Total Semester Credits: 15.5-17.5
Cumulative Total Credits: 111 - 114
** An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
  1. Option Elective Course (3) OR 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3) **
  2. Option elective (3)
  3. SEBS core requirement (6)
  4. Free Elective Course (3-6)

Total Semester Credits: 14-17
Cumulative Total Credits: 128