Minor in Biotechnology
Overview
The Minor in Biotechnology provides students with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills at the interface of biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. The program equips students with the scientific, computational, and regulatory competencies needed to contribute to the rapidly evolving biotechnology sector, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, agriculture, environmental biotechnology, and biomedical research.
Students gain a strong foundation in molecular genetics and biotechnology while developing competencies in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence applications in the life sciences, regulatory affairs, biosafety, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through a combination of required and elective courses, the minor prepares graduates to understand the complete biotechnology pipeline—from scientific discovery and data analysis to product development, regulatory compliance, and commercialization.
The program complements undergraduate degrees in Biology, Bioinformatics, and Chemistry, providing students with valuable interdisciplinary expertise for graduate studies and careers in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical industries, research laboratories, and biotechnology startups.
Learning 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.
Minor in Biotechnology Total Credits: 18
Suggested Curriculum Plan
|
Semester |
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | BIO321 | Genetics | 3 |
| Elective | Biotechnology Elective (from Pool 1, 2 or 3) | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 6 | ||
| Semester 2 | BIO410 | Biotechnology (Prereq: BIO321) | 3 |
| BIO436/BIF436 | Applied Bioinformatics & AI in the Life Sciences | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 6 | ||
| Semester 3 | BIO411 | Regulatory Affairs & Biosafety for Biotechnology (Prereq: BIO410) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 3 | ||
| Semester 4 | Elective | Biotechnology Elective (from a different pool) | 3 |
| Semester Total | 3 |
**A maximum of 9 credits may be counted toward both the major and the minor.
Biotechnology Elective Courses
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