UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Biotechnology

Students who have completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in biotechnology or a related field from a community college with which UMUC has an articulation agreement for this major may seek an academic major in biotechnology. Students should consult an advisor before selecting this major. The major in biotechnology is based on a collaborative arrangement between UMUC and specific Maryland community colleges. Students with a similar degree from another institution may be considered for this program only based on an institutional articulation agreement with UMUC.

Major in Biotechnology

The biotechnology major is designed to build on the technical and scientific knowledge gained through the associate’s degree program and direct experience in the field. It combines laboratory skills and applied coursework relevant to the biotechnology industry with extensive biotechnology internship experience and upper-level study.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in biotechnology will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the basic principles of biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology.
  • Perform standard laboratory procedures employed in academic, industry, and government biotechnology and molecular biology laboratories.
  • Apply the principles of biotechnology to problems encountered in medicine, public health, research and development, agriculture, industrial and commercial production, and environmental science.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in biotechnology requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework from UMUC and the collaborating community college, including 36 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 43 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 18 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Course Requirements for the Biotechnology Major

Coursework for a major in biotechnology includes the following lower-level coursework taken as part of an appropriate Associate of Applied Science degree program at a collaborating community college:

  • Foundation courses (15 credits): General microbiology (with laboratory), general genetics (with laboratory), and biotechnology techniques
  • Required related courses (17 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the bachelor’s degree: Chosen from biotechnology, biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, physics, and virology courses

Coursework for a major in biotechnology also includes the following:

  • Required core courses (12 credits): BIOL 350 and 400 and 6 credits of Co-op internship courses (numbered 486A or 486B) in any discipline related to biotechnology
  • Supplemental major courses (9 credits): Chosen from BIOL 320, 330–339, 350–359, 362, 422, and 430–439; NSCI 301; and an additional Co-op internship

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BTPS in biotechnology (if the student selects appropriate courses as part of the articulated degree program from the community college). Coursework for the major is indicated by ◆. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ◆

Required Courses from Community College

  • ◆ Lower-level coursework in the following areas: (15)
    • General microbiology with lab
    • General genetics with lab
    • Biotechnology techniques
  • Additional coursework related to biotechnology (17)
    • Selected from biotechnology, biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, physics, or virology, as specified by the articulated associate’s degree program (should also fulfill general education requirements in biological and physical sciences)

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits at UMUC if not brought in transfer)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics or a higher-level math course (3)

Introductory and General Education Courses (to be taken within the
first 30 credits)

  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or SPCH 482 Intercultural Communication (recommended elective)

Required Upper-Level Courses for Major (to be taken after introductory and general education courses)

  • WRTG 393/393X Technical Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
  • ◆ BIOL 350 Molecular and Cellular Biology (3)
  • ◆ BIOL 400 Life Science Seminar (3)
  • ◆ BIOL 362 Neurobiology (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ◆ BIOL 320 Forensic Biology (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ◆ BIOL 422 Epidemiology of Emerging Infections (3) or other supplemental major course

Internship for Major (to be taken in the last 30 credits)

◆ Internship through Cooperative Education (6)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (30)


Total credits for BTPS in biotechnology: 120