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Biotechnology

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Biotechnology
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Biotechnology Facilities
	Careers in Biotechnology
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Contact Information

Biotechnology

Biotechnology enables industries to make new or better products with greater speed, efficiency, and flexibility by applying a new level of understanding of organisms and biological processes. Biotechnology uses modern molecular, computer, and engineering techniques to answer basic biological questions and to develop products and practices for use by society. The applications of biotechnology are broad and have already brought impressive results in agriculture, human health, and environmental protection and restoration. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science • Available at: Pullman

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Requirements and Core Courses

--Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Students majoring in biotechnology take the following core courses as well as other University, college, and degree requirements. Biol 106 & 107––Introductory Biology I & II Chem 105 & 106––Principles of Chemistry I & II Chem 345—Organic Chemistry I Phys 101 & 102––General Physics I & II EconS 101––Fundamentals of Microeconomics Math 140—Mathematics for Life Scientists      or 171––Calculus I Math 212––Intro to Statistical Methods      or Stat 412--Biometry      or MgtOp 215--Statistics MBioS 301––General Genetics MBioS 305 & 306––General Microbiology & Lab MBioS 303 & 304––Introductory Biochemistry & Lab MBioS 404––Molecular Genetics MBioS 401––Cell Biology MBioS 454––Techniques in Molecular Biology MBioS 494--Senior Project Phil 365--Biomedical Ethics      or Phil 370--Environmental Ethics MgtOp 301--Management and Organization Mktg 360--Marketing Degree Electives NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. Students should consult with their academic advisor for specific details.

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Biotechnology Facilities

Biotechnology students have access to the following outstanding lab facilities: • Equipment for ultracentrifugation, recombinant DNA techniques, HPLC, protein analysis and purification, DNA sequencing and synthesizing, and more. • Bioanalytical Laboratory • Electron Microscopy Center • Nuclear Radiation Center • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center. • X-ray Crystallography Laboratory • Science Learning and Instruction Center (SLIC), a resource center for science majors that provides computer access, science software and videos, old tests, and other study aids • Owen Science and Engineering Library, the largest in the Northwest

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Careers in Biotechnology

Biotechnology majors have excellent career opportunities. Growth of the biotechnology industry is surpassing expectations. In Washington state, where in 1999 there were some 437,000 jobs in biotechnology, it is estimated that 2,000 new, trained biotech employees will be needed each year well into the future. Biotechnologists use knowledge, databases, and new tools to make, modify, or improve plants, animals, and microorganisms for specific uses. Biotechnology companies in health fields focus on research and development of therapeutic drugs, diagnostic products, and genetic testing. Other firms concentrate on increasing agricultural productivity, reducing environmental wastes, or using computer technologies to mine the knowledge contained in the vast databases created by the human genome project.

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Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• A good high school preparation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics • At least three years of sciences and math in high school recommended • Strong reading, writing, reasoning, and computer skills

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Biotechnology majors are eligible for scholarships offered by the College of Sciences and the School of Molecular Biosciences. Additionally, a variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs are available to assist qualified students with education costs.

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Contact Information

School of Molecular Biosciences

Washington State University PO Box 647520 Pullman, WA 99164-7520

smbugrad@wsu.edu

509-335-1276

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Strengths of the Program

• Get advanced computer training in bioinformatics/biotechnology.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree in four years or a non-thesis master of science degree in five. This is the only program of its kind in the Northwest.
• Learn advanced lab techniques and computer skills needed by today’s biotechnology and pharmacological companies.
• Study in state-of-the-art facilities.
• Study with faculty noted for their work in protein biochemistry, DNA repair, structural biology, and reproductive biology.
• Individualize your course of study within the School of Molecular Biosciences.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us