Course Descriptions

College Catalog

Biotechnology Courses

Below is a list of Biotechnology courses offered by Stevenson University. To earn a degree in Biotechnology, students must also complete coursework in other areas. To view a complete listing of all course requirements for the Biotechnology degree, please see the University catalog.

BT 201
Introduction to Biotechnology
An introduction to the biotechnology industry. Students will explore the wide array of scientific, business and legal fields that form the basis of the biotechnology field, the types of products and companies that are included in the biotechnology industry and the functional units within a typical biotechnology company. Topics covered include the general techniques and technologies used in biotechnology, products of biotechnology, fields of biotechnology and career paths within the biotechnology industry. Prerequisite: BIO 113. Spring semester. Two credits. (10 Nov 2006)

BT 205
Biosafety and Quality Assurance
(Replaces BIO 300) Introduces the safety and quality control issues related to product development in the biotechnology industry. The course includes safety, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials according to current standards, development and implementation of quality assurance programs, and issues related to local, state, and federal regulations. Prerequisites: BIO 113 and BT 201. Fall semester. Two credits. (10 Nov 2006)

BT 255
Techniques in Molecular Biology
(Same as BIO 255) This course introduces the theory and practical uses of instrumentation and procedures currently used to analyze nucleic acids and proteins. Directed laboratory exercises in molecular biology techniques and independent student research are included. Techniques learned include gene cloning, nucleic acid isolation, PCR and RTPCR techniques, nucleic acid and protein electrophoresis and Southern hybridization. Instruction in the fundamentals of bioinformatics tools to analyze nucleic acid and protein sequences is also incorporated. Student groups will conduct a semester-long research project using the research tools and techniques taught in the course. Prerequisites: BIO 113 and CHEM 210 (CHEM 211 may be taken concurrently). Six hours laboratory each week. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

BT 355
Advanced Techniques in Molecular Biology
(Same as BIO 355) This course builds on the molecular biological techniques that were taught in BT 255 by applying them to a specified research problem. Students will be presented with a research question similar to those encountered in a small biotechnology company or academic laboratory and asked to design, perform, analyze, and present experiments in order to study the problem. Prerequisites: BIO 113, BT 255, and CHEM 211. Six hours laboratory each week. Three credits. (10 Nov 2006)

BT 410
Biotechnology Internship
(Formerly BIO 410). This course is one of two required capstone experiences for the biotechnology major. The student gains workforce experience off campus in a bioscience company. A minimum of 300 hours of on-site work is required. The work must integrate and apply laboratory methodologies, regulatory standards, and management skills to the development, manufacturing, or marketing of a product. Each student is required to create and present a formal poster based on the student's work. In addition, each student prepares a cumulative and comprehensive academic portfolio. This course is taken concurrently with BT 400. Prerequisites: ENG 215 (with a grade of "C" or better) and senior year status. Spring semester. Five credits. Restricted to Biotechology majors. (10 Nov 2006)