Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Penn State Science
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BIOTC Gen programs goals, entrance to major requirements, requirements to graduate

BIOTC Major - General Option (GEN)

The General Option (GEN) of the Biotechnology major requires a strong foundation in the sciences and builds on that foundation with courses that teach many of the specialized culture, genetic and molecular techniques used in the biotechnology/ biopharmaceutical industries.  The heart of the General Option consists of a lecture course in industrial microbiology and two laboratory courses that teach students how to initiate and maintain cell cultures and genetically modify animal and plant cells.  A third laboratory course introduces students to the use of biofermentors and to the team approach that many industries use to develop new products for commercialization.  Students who graduate from the General Option of the Biotechnology major quickly find employment in the industrial sector and discover that their undergraduate preparation makes the transition from student to employee quite easy.

Program Goals

  1. Graduates will have and be able to communicate an understanding of biotechnology sufficient to qualify for entry-level positions as industrial scientists or for graduate schools.

  2. Graduates will develop basic laboratory skills and be familiar with the standard techniques and equipment used in the modern biotechnology laboratory.

  3. Graduates will generate and interpret data with subsequent application to the solution of novel problems in biotechnology.

  4. Graduates will identify career opportunities and professional and ethical issues that concern scientists in the biotechnology field.

Requirements to enter a major

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and must complete Chem 110, 111, 112, and Math 140 with a grade of C or better.

Requirements to graduate

To graduate, students must meet all three of the following requirements:

  1. 2.0 cumulative GPA.

  2. a grade of C or better in two of the following three courses: BMB/Micrb 251, BMB/Micrb 252 & Micrb 201.

  3. 400-level Biotc/Micrb/BMB lecture courses (for Biotc majors).