Biology B.S. - Biotechnology/Molecular Biology
Biotechnology is a growing area where biological research provides technical advances for a number of growing industries. The concentration in Biotechnology/Molecular Biology prepares students to take advantage of the exciting and challenging opportunities in the expanding field of biotechnology and molecular biology. Because biotechnology is not one discipline but the interaction among several, the best preparation for work in biotechnology is training in a traditional biological science such as genetics and molecular biology with some training in business and computer science. This concentration will provide a broad foundation in the biological sciences and allow for more focused upper level courses in genetics, biotechnology and molecular biology. Students enrolled in this concentration are encouraged to enhance their skills by getting a minor in entrepreneurship, business and/or information science. Students graduating with a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Biotechnology will be competitive for entry level positions in academic and government laboratories and the bioscience industry. Students with this concentration will be well prepared for graduate work.
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a concentration in Biotechnology/Molecular Biology requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Required Courses:
Select one course from the list of Biological Breadth electives below: 4 sh
In addition, a required experiential component selected from one of the following:
(a) internship (BIO 4985)
(b) research under the direction of BIO faculty member
Select one of the following Physics sequences: 8 sh
Choose 12 hours from the following courses: 12 sh
- 4 of the elective semester hours can be any 2000-4000 level biology elective (i.e. a wildcard) that is not being counted elsewhere in the major.
- students may count up to 4 hours of BIO 4999 towards their electives if the level of biological content covered is deemed equivalent to an elective course (requires chair review)
- Students may count up to 8 semester hours from non-lab BIO courses at the 3000-4000 level.
- Students may count up to 8 semester hours from 2000 level BIO elective courses.
- Students cannot count more than one 2000-3000 level course of the same topic toward elective credits. Topics in question are Biochemistry (BIO 3210, BIO 3200, CHM 3510), Anatomy (BIO 2312, BIO 3312), Microbiology (BIO 2122, BIO 3122), and Physiology (BIO 2412, BIO 3412).
Program Outcomes
Students completing the biology program will be well rounded and knowledgeable in the major areas of biology.
They will:
a. Recognize the basic structure of the cells as the basic units of all living organisms and as building block of multi-cellular organisms
b. Explain the processes and patterns of biological evolution and support its role as the central unifying concept of biology.
c. Discuss the scope of biological diversity and the genealogical relationships among major groups of organisms.
d. Apply the principles of genetics from molecular mechanisms to population consequences to real world examples.
e. Relate form and function in biology as expressed in molecular, cellular and whole- organism physiology
f. Predict the interactions of organisms and their environment and the consequences of these in natural populations, communities and ecosystems.
Students completing the biology program will apply the scientific approach or way of knowing to answer biological questions and solve problems.
They will:
a. Formulate testable research hypotheses and choose appropriate experimental design to test hypotheses
b. Collect, analyze, interpret and report data using appropriate statistical analysis.
c. Interpret data correctly and clearly display results in support of reasonable conclusions.
d. Acquire laboratory skills and field techniques using appropriate equipment and instrumentation
e. Utilize computers for simulations, data acquisition, and quantitative/statistical analysis
Students Students completing the biology program will be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing using a variety of techniques appropriately chosen for material to be presented and audience.
They will:
a. Find, access, and critically evaluate primary literature.
b. Present biological information orally and visually via posters and formal and informal oral presentations.
c. Write effectively using professional scientific writing formats appropriate to purpose (WEI outcome)
d. Use CSE style accurately in scientific writing.
Students completing the biology program will be able to synthesize and integrate information from the various areas of biology to obtain a progressively more complete picture of the complexity and reality of biological systems.
They will:
a. Appreciate the history, limitations, and controversy of biological concepts
b. Understand the contributions of biology to the resolution of ethical, social and environmental issues in human affairs.
c. Integrate and synthesize biological knowledge to understand the complexity and reality of biological systems.
Total Credit Hours: 68