Biology, Biotechnology Concentration, B.S.

The Biotechnology concentration prepares students for the biotechnology workforce, a strong, growing industry in the region. The program was developed as a result of a needs assessment and in consultation with the Westfield State University Biotechnology Advisory Committee, consisting of 2-year and 4-year faculty, students, and biotechnology industry professionals.

Requirements for the Biotechnology Concentration - 61 - 63 Credits-

General Education and Common Core Courses

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology for a Changing World , BIOL 0104 - Human Biology , and BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements, however they DO NOT satisfy requirements for the Biology Major and should not be taken by students within the major. MATH 0105 - Calculus I and MATH 0108 - Elementary Statistics each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements. BIOL 0237- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 0278 - Biostatistics each satisfy Common Core requirements, but do not satisfy General Education requirements. Courses should be selected with guidance from faculty advisor.

Introductory Sequence

BIOL 0128 - General Biology II Credits: 4
BIOL 0129 - General Biology I Credits: 4
BIOL 0180 - Introductory Seminar in Biology Credits: 1

Math Requirement

Students must choose two courses from the following:

MATH 0105 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH 0108 - Elementary Statistics Credits: 3
BIOL 0278 - Biostatistics Credits: 3

Chemistry

CHEM 0109 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 0111 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHEM 0201 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 0203 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4

Required Biology Courses

BIOL 0230 - Evolution Credits: 3
BIOL 0281 - Seminar: Practices and Policies in Biotechnology Credits: 3
BIOL 0288 - Seminar: Writing for Biology Credits: 1
BIOL 0201 - General Ecology Credits: 4
or BIOL 0202 - Conservation Biology Credits: 4
Students must choose two from the following:
BIOL 0203 - Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 0205 - Cell Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 0223 - Microbiology Credits: 4
Required 300-level courses:
BIOL 0377 - Research Experience Credits: 3 (TWO Biotechnology Related 0377 courses to be determined by advisor)
BIOL 0380 - Senior Seminar Credits: 1
One 300-level elective:
BIOL 0319 - Immunology Lecture Credits: 3
Biotechnology Internship Experience Credits: 3
Recommended Courses:
CHEM 0315 - Biochemistry Credits: 4
PHSC 0101 - Everyday Physics: Understanding the Natural World Credits: 4
or PHSC 0115 - General Physics I Credits: 4

or PHSC 0125 - Physics I Credits: 4

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .