Biotechnology

Major Requirements

Major: Biotechnology

Degree Type: B.S.
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 120

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major requirements

Biotechnology Requirements
MICR 189Skills for Academic Success 11
CSCI 114Computer Applications3
or CSCI 122 Visual BASIC
MATH 165Calculus I4
PHYS 211
211L
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
PHYS 212
212L
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
BIOL 150
150L
General Biology I
and General Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 151
151L
General Biology II
and General Biology II Laboratory
4
PLSC 315
315L
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory Cross-listed as BIOL 315/L
4
CHEM 121
121L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 122
122L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHEM 341
341L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II3
BIOC 460Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I3
BIOC 461Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II3
BIOC 474Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology 24
MICR 350
350L
General Microbiology
and General Microbiology Lab
5
MICR 470Basic Immunology 23
MICR 471Immunology and Serology Laboratory 22
MICR 485Capstone Experience I: Reflecting and Planning1
MICR 486Capstone Experience II: Reflection and Dissemination1
Ethics - Select one philosophy/ethics course from the following:3
Professional Responsibility and Ethics
Ethics
Contemporary Moral Issues
Business Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Ethics, Engineering, and Technology
Capstone - Select one of the following capstone experiences from the following:2
Undergraduate Research (Research Experience) 3
Individual Study
FE/Coop Ed/Internship (Internship Experience)
Biotechnology Elective - Select one course from the following:2-3
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
Microbial Biotechnology 2
Genetics Elective - Select one course from the following:3
Animal Genetics 2
Microbial Genetics 2
Intermediate Genetics 2
Physiology Elective - Select one course from the following:3
Microbial Physiology 2
Principles of Plant Physiology 2
Animal Physiology 2
Major Electives - Select 9 credits from the following:9
Biological Materials Processing
Biobased Energy 2
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts 2
3D Printing and Manufacturing
Methods of Biochemical Research 2
Molecular Biology of Gene Expression 2
Food Ingredient Technology 2
Analytical Chemistry I 2
Biopolymers and Biocomposites 2
Microbiological Principles for Environmental Engineers
Program and Project Management
Critical Skills in Microbiology
Critical Skills in Microbiology Laboratory Research
Animal Cell Culture Techniques 2
Microbial Genomics with Computational Laboratory 2
Genomics 2
Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology 2
Total Credits90-91
1

MICR 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take AGRI 189.

2

Courses that offer a 600 level dual course can be taken for the B.S./M.S. accelerated program. The 600 level courses have additional outcomes/requirements that students will have to complete. Students approved for accelerated programs must complete and submit the Accelerated Declaration form, which will require the student and advisor to identify which graduate courses (no more than 15 credits) will be counted toward the B.S. degree.

3

The research may also be completed as BIOC or PLSC.

Degree Notes:

  • An accelerated undergraduate to master's degree program is available for the B.S. in Biotechnology major to the M.S. in Microbiology. Students must have a 3.00 GPA. Instructions to apply can be found in the online catalog and a sample 5-year plan can be found on the departments website. Students may complete a thesis-based or comprehensive study-based master's program.

Minor Requirements

Minor: Biotechnology

Required Credits: 20

BIOC 460Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I3
BIOC 461Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II3
PLSC 315
315L
Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory
4
Biotechnology Technique Electives: Select 4 credits from the following:4
Methods of Biochemical Research
Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology
Animal Cell Culture Techniques
Immunology and Serology Laboratory
Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology
Specialized Electives: Select 6 credits from the following:6
ANSC 314
Animal Genetics
Microbial Biotechnology
Basic Immunology
Microbial Physiology
Microbial Genetics
Principles of Plant Physiology
Intermediate Genetics
Cell Biology
Animal Physiology
Total Credits20

 Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.