Agricultural Biotechnology
The Agricultural Biotechnology Program is solidly based in the arts and sciences with a further focused and advanced specialization in modern cellular biology, genetics, and molecular biology as they relate to organisms important in agriculture. As such, students will be required to take the major's sequence of science (biology and chemistry) and mathematics courses.
Students will then specialize in an area appropriate to his or her interest and career objectives. Specialization areas include microorganisms, plants, and animals used in modern agriculture. Capstone courses will provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of molecular biology and genetic engineering as they relate to plants (both genomic and chloroplast emphasis), animals, and microorganisms used in agriculture.
Advanced knowledge areas include: ethics, biosafety, cell culture, gene identification, gene isolation, cloning (amplification), insertion methods, screening, and post-transcriptional and post-translational analysis of gene activity. All students will be expected to take a minimum of 49 hours of major's-specific courses (including an independent study project in their area of interest and/or an internship in the agricultural biotechnology industry) and 9 required electives. The remaining hours are in the areas of arts and sciences and free electives.
The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology will prepare students for transfer to related graduate programs or to assume positions directly in biotechnology industry, government, and universities with research and technology applications to agriculture and food production.
