Biotechnology Major

Learning Format

On-Campus

Types

Bachelor's
Biotechnology Major

Pursue a Career in Science and Technology

If you are interested in microbiology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, and immunology, this could be the right major for you. You’ll have the opportunity to work on projects alongside our experienced faculty and industry scientists in related fields like chemistry and physics, while also engaging in cutting-edge work that can impact human health, agriculture, and environmental biology. You will participate in on-campus research and off-campus internships, joining previous students who have worked for biotech companies, hospitals, and academic research labs. 

A degree in Biotechnology will prepare you to work in the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries, agriculture, or biomedical research. You may also choose to pursue graduate school in biology or biomedical sciences. 

Interior Shot, Hemenway Labs

Biotechnology Learning Outcomes

  • Explain how the basic principles of the biological hierarchy (molecular, cellular, organismal, population, communal, ecological, and global) are interconnected. 

  • Differentiate diverse organismal characteristics by their causal evolutionary mechanism. 

  • Investigate a hypothesis relevant to their major by using the scientific process.

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate biological information and deliver it in a form appropriate for the target audience.

  • Use a biological perspective as a foundation for civic engagement in discussion of contemporary policy, including anti-racism, public health, and climate change.

This program is appropriate for students interested in careers in diverse areas of biotechnology including research, pharmaceuticals, product development, sales, quality control and technical training. Students interested in graduate school should meet with their academic advisor prior to choosing electives.

Major Core Requirements

  • BIOL 125 The Biology Experience
  • BIOL 135/135L Foundations of Biological Science with Lab
  • BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab
  • BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
  • BIOL 402 Processes of Organic Evolution
  • CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • MATH 180 Precalculus or
  • MATH 219 Calculus I
  • STAT 203 Statistics for the Natural Sciences or
  • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists or 
  • STAA 127 Statistics for the Social Sciences

Biology Major Capstone:

BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology**

**An original research project is required of all Biotechnology majors. Prior to enrollment in BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology, the student should meet with their academic advisor and with other Biology faculty to tailor the research project to the student’s interests and career goals. 

Students must take following concentration requirements (9-10):

  • CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
  • PHYS 201/201L Physics with Applications to Earth and Life Systems with Lab or
  • PHYS 211/211L Principles of Physics I with Lab and 
  • PHYS 212/212L Principles of Physics II with Lab

One (1) courses from Molecular Systems:

  • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
  • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab

One (1) course from Cell Systems:

  •  
  • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology

One (1) course from Organismal and Physiological Systems

  • BIOL 212/212L Wildlife Specimen Preparation Techniques
  • BIOL 232/232L Invertebrate Zoology with Lab
  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 236/236L Ornithology with Lab
  • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • BIOL 251/251L Vascular Plant Taxonomy with Lab
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 323 Biology and Conservation of Crocodiles
  • NEUR 225 Biopsychology
  • NEUR 306 Neurophysiology

One (1) courses from Ecological Systems:

  • BIOL 203 Plants and Society
  • BIOL 233/233L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 320/320L Animal Behavior with Lab
  • BIOL 321/321L Limnology with Lab
  • BIOL 335/335L Principles of Wildlife Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 381 Theories of Infectious Diseases
  • BIOL 393 Wildlife Management and Conservation Topics

Three (3) courses from the following list of Restricted Electives:

Note: Choices are limited to those courses not previously taken for this concentration.

  • BIOL 218/218L Introduction to Bioinformatics with Lab
  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 356 Biology of Cancer
  • BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
  • BIOL 426 Human Immunity
  • BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
  • CHEM 208/208L Organic Chemistry II with Lab
  • CHEM 300 /300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab or 
  •          CHEM 301 /301L Biochemistry I with Lab
  • CHEM 332/332L Biochemistry II with Lab*
  • CSCI 156 Python Programming for Applications
  • MATH 219 Calculus I

  • NEUR 380 Neuropharmacology

    * Students who complete CHEM 332/332L Biochemistry II and its prerequisites are eligible for a Biochemistry minor.

Career Opportunities

Biotechnology majors will be prepared to pursue graduate work and career opportunities across a wide range of exciting fields, including:

Classroom with three students and one professor

Clinical laboratories

Collect and process research and medical specimens.

Academic research

Basic or applied biomedical research about cells and systems

Biopharmaceutical industry

Develops new treatments for human disease

Agricultural biotechnology

Develops methods to improve agricultural practices

Biomedical Equipment Technician

Responsible for overseeing the operation of biomedical machines and tools. 

Microbiologist

Study the behavior of microorganisms to learn about what conditions they need to thrive. 

Meet Your Faculty

Sandra Sanchez

Sandra Sanchez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biology Department
ssanchez4@framingham.edu
Jeffrey White

Jeffrey D. White, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Biology Department
508-215-5721
jwhite10@framingham.edu
Hemenway Annex
Aline Davis

Aline Davis, PhD

Professor, Biology Department
508-626-4797
adavis@framingham.edu
Hemenway
Aviva Liebert

Aviva Liebert, Ph.D.

Professor, Biology Department
508-626-4790
aliebert@framingham.edu
Hemenway Hall
View All

Learn More

If the Biotechnology major sounds like a good fit but you would like to learn more, contact Admissions at admissions [at] framigham.edu or 508-626-4500. 

 Apply 

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