Overview

The Minor in Biotechnology provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills at the interface of biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. The program complements undergraduate degrees in Biology, Bioinformatics, and Chemistry, providing students with valuable interdisciplinary expertise relevant to graduate studies and careers in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical industries, research laboratories, and biotechnology startups.

The minor offers students a strong foundation in molecular genetics and biotechnology while exposing them to bioinformatics, artificial intelligence applications in the life sciences, regulatory affairs, biosafety, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through a combination of required and elective courses, students gain an understanding of the biotechnology pipeline, from scientific discovery and data analysis to product development, regulatory compliance, and commercialization.

Mission

The mission of the Minor in Biotechnology is to provide students with interdisciplinary scientific, computational, and regulatory knowledge and practical skills that prepare them to contribute effectively to the rapidly evolving biotechnology sector. The program integrates concepts from biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and biotechnology to foster critical thinking, innovation, ethical awareness, and problem-solving skills applicable to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, agriculture, environmental biotechnology, and biomedical research.

Program Educational Objectives

The Minor in Biotechnology seeks to:

1. Apply interdisciplinary knowledge in biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and biotechnology to address scientific and technological challenges in the life sciences.
2. Demonstrate competency in biotechnology tools and approaches, including molecular genetics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence applications in the life sciences.
3. Understand the biotechnology development pipeline, from scientific discovery and data analysis through product development, regulatory compliance, and commercialization.
4. Apply principles of regulatory affairs, biosafety, ethics, innovation, and entrepreneurship in biotechnology-related contexts.
5. Pursue further education and professional opportunities in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical industries, research laboratories, and biotechnology-related enterprises.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Biotechnology, students will be able to:

• Apply fundamental principles of genetics and biotechnology to solve biological and biomedical problems.
• Analyze biological data using bioinformatics and computational tools, including emerging artificial intelligence applications in the life sciences.
• Explain modern biotechnology techniques used in research, diagnostics, therapeutics, and biomanufacturing.
• Demonstrate knowledge of biosafety, regulatory affairs, and ethical principles governing biotechnology research and applications.
• Integrate scientific, technological, and entrepreneurial concepts in the development of biotechnology-based solutions.
• Evaluate current advances in biotechnology and their societal, legal, and commercial implications.

Curriculum

To complete the Minor in Biotechnology, a total of 18 credits are required, as follows:

Core Courses

• BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
• BIO346 Applied Bioinformatics & AI in the Life Sciences (3 cr.)
• BIO410 Biotechnology (3 cr.)
• BIO411 Regulatory Affairs & Biosafety for Biotechnology (3 cr.)

Elective Courses

• Elective Pool1 (3 cr.) or
• Elective Pool2 (3 cr.) or
• Elective Pool3 (3 cr.)

Students must complete two elective courses from at least two different pools.

Pool 1 – Bioinformatics, Data & Artificial Intelligence

• BIF244 Introduction to Script Programming
• BIF455 Computational Drug Design
• BIO435 Functional Genomics
• BIF435 Structural Bioinformatics
• BIF513 Computational Biology
• BIO323 Synthetic Biology & Genome Engineering

Pool 2 – Discovery, Development & Biomanufacturing

• CHM350 Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry I
• CHM450 Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry II
• CHM352 Method Validation and Quality Assurance
• CHM451 Chemical Pharmacology
• CHE502 Bioprocess Engineering
• BIO346 Cell & Gene Therapy / mRNA Technology

Pool 3 – Innovation, Ethics, Law & Entrepreneurship

• MGT411 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• FEM311 Small Business Startup Laboratory
• LAS302 Inquiry for Innovation
• BUS213 Business Law and Ethics
• LAS204M Ethics in Biomedical Research and Practice

*A maximum of 9 credits may be counted toward both the major and the minor.

Sample Study Plan

Semester One (6 credits)

• BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
• Biotechnology Elective  (From Pool 1, 2 or 3)  (3 cr.)

Semester Two (6 credits)

• BIO410 Biotechnology (Prerequisite BIO 321)  (3 cr.)
• BIO346/BIF436 Applied Bioinformatics & AI in the Life Sciences (3 cr.)

Semester Three (3 credits)

• BIO411 Regulatory Affairs & Biosafety for Biotechnology (3 cr.)

Semester Four (3 credits)

• Biotechnology Elective  (From a different pool)  (3 cr.)