Academics > Undergraduate Programs > Biotechnology – Minor

Biotechnology – Minor

Biotechnology

The Biotechnology Minor introduces students to the foundations of biochemistry, cell biology, laboratory methods, and ethical considerations, providing a strong scientific complement to their studies. The program offers valuable preparation for students interested in engaging with the biotechnology field or considering postgraduate education in a STEM-related discipline. By integrating scientific understanding with business applications, the minor empowers students to pursue pathways in marketing, entrepreneurship, analytics, and beyond. Its mission is to provide relevant, practical, and forward-looking learning experiences that prepare students to contribute meaningfully to an industry shaping health, technology, and society.

The Biotechnology minor requires 12 units. There are two tracks to complete the minor:

Track 1:

BIO 200: Introductory Biochemistry (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission): This course provides a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry, focusing on the molecular and chemical processes that sustain life. Students will explore chemical principles in biological systems before exploring the structure, function, and metabolism of essential biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins). Emphasis is placed on understanding how biochemical pathways are integrated and regulated to maintain cellular function and how these processes are applied to real-world challenges, including disease and drug discovery.
BIO 296: Phage Discovery Lab (4 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission; only offered in Fall): SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) is a two-semester, discovery-based research project that provides students with foundations in molecular biology and bioinformatics and professional development, including a research symposium and authorship. Students new to college-level science conduct authentic research that explores bacteriophages: bacteria-specific viruses that have wide-reaching implications for ecology, biotechnology, and human health. In the first term, students isolate, purify, and amplify bacteriophages from environmental soil samples and name their discovered phage. Enrollment in this course requires subsequent enrollment in BIO 297 Bioinformatics, in which students work collaboratively to annotate their discovered phage genome.
BIO 297: Bioinformatics (4 units; Prerequisite: BIO 296; only offered in Spring): SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) is a two-semester, discovery-based research project that provides students with foundations in molecular biology and bioinformatics and professional development, including a research symposium and authorship. Students new to college-level science conduct authentic research that explores bacteriophages: bacteria-specific viruses that have wide-reaching implications for ecology, biotechnology, and human health. In the second term, students annotate and analyze their phage genome discovered in BIO 296, submitting their work to the national database GenBank. Students will share their research at the annual SEA Research Symposium orally and in writing.

BIO 398: Biotech Bay Immersion (1 unit; Prerequisite: BIO 200 with a C- or better OR BIO 297 with a “C-” or better): This immersion course connects students enrolled in the Biotechnology Minor to their surrounding “Biotech Bay” environment. Students visit local biotechnology companies, speak with scientists and entrepreneurs, and reflect on their immersive experiences in journal entries and group discussions. Ultimately, students will synthesize their knowledge from the Biotechnology Minor with the biotechnology activities and opportunities in Biotech Bay.

Track 2:

BIO 200: Introductory Biochemistry (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission): This course provides a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry, focusing on the molecular and chemical processes that sustain life. Students will explore chemical principles in biological systems before exploring the structure, function, and metabolism of essential biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins). Emphasis is placed on understanding how biochemical pathways are integrated and regulated to maintain cellular function and how these processes are applied to real-world challenges, including disease and drug discovery.
BIO 210: Introductory Cell Biology (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 200 with a C- or better): This course offers a comprehensive introduction to cell biology, focusing on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including plant cells. Building from biochemical knowledge, key topics include cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, cellular communication, and the cell cycle. Students will additionally explore cellular technologies and applications of cell biology in disease research and drug discovery.
BIO 300: Biotechnology Lab (4 units; Prerequisite: BIO 210 with a C- or better): This course is an introduction to common biotechnological techniques, synthesizing biochemistry and cell biology concepts for real-world application. Students will practice genomic technologies, including cloning, barcoding, and CRISPR-Cas9, and learn how these technologies are applied in personalized medicine, forensics, agriculture, and evolutionary biology.
BIO 330: Biotechnology Ethics (2 units; Prerequisite: BIO 300 with a C- or better OR concurrent enrollment in BIO 300): This course explores the ethical, legal, and social implications of advancements in biotechnology. Students will examine key ethics issues surrounding genome engineering, reproductive technologies, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and synthetic biology. Emphasis will be placed on balancing innovation with moral responsibility, cultural and global perspectives, the environment, and equitable distribution of advancements in medicine and agriculture. Students will engage in case studies to understand how biotechnology shapes society and the responsibilities of scientists, policymakers, and citizens.

The Biotechnology minor requires 12 units. There are two tracks to complete the minor:

Track 1:

BIO 200: Introductory Biochemistry (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission): This course provides a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry, focusing on the molecular and chemical processes that sustain life. Students will explore chemical principles in biological systems before exploring the structure, function, and metabolism of essential biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins). Emphasis is placed on understanding how biochemical pathways are integrated and regulated to maintain cellular function and how these processes are applied to real-world challenges, including disease and drug discovery.
BIO 296: Phage Discovery Lab (4 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission; only offered in Fall): SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) is a two-semester, discovery-based research project that provides students with foundations in molecular biology and bioinformatics and professional development, including a research symposium and authorship. Students new to college-level science conduct authentic research that explores bacteriophages: bacteria-specific viruses that have wide-reaching implications for ecology, biotechnology, and human health. In the first term, students isolate, purify, and amplify bacteriophages from environmental soil samples and name their discovered phage. Enrollment in this course requires subsequent enrollment in BIO 297 Bioinformatics, in which students work collaboratively to annotate their discovered phage genome.
BIO 297: Bioinformatics (4 units; Prerequisite: BIO 296; only offered in Spring): SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) is a two-semester, discovery-based research project that provides students with foundations in molecular biology and bioinformatics and professional development, including a research symposium and authorship. Students new to college-level science conduct authentic research that explores bacteriophages: bacteria-specific viruses that have wide-reaching implications for ecology, biotechnology, and human health. In the second term, students annotate and analyze their phage genome discovered in BIO 296, submitting their work to the national database GenBank. Students will share their research at the annual SEA Research Symposium orally and in writing.

BIO 398: Biotech Bay Immersion (1 unit; Prerequisite: BIO 200 with a C- or better OR BIO 297 with a “C-” or better): This immersion course connects students enrolled in the Biotechnology Minor to their surrounding “Biotech Bay” environment. Students visit local biotechnology companies, speak with scientists and entrepreneurs, and reflect on their immersive experiences in journal entries and group discussions. Ultimately, students will synthesize their knowledge from the Biotechnology Minor with the biotechnology activities and opportunities in Biotech Bay.

Track 2:

BIO 200: Introductory Biochemistry (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 101/102 with a C- or better OR instructor permission): This course provides a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry, focusing on the molecular and chemical processes that sustain life. Students will explore chemical principles in biological systems before exploring the structure, function, and metabolism of essential biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins). Emphasis is placed on understanding how biochemical pathways are integrated and regulated to maintain cellular function and how these processes are applied to real-world challenges, including disease and drug discovery.
BIO 210: Introductory Cell Biology (3 units; Prerequisites: BIO 200 with a C- or better): This course offers a comprehensive introduction to cell biology, focusing on both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including plant cells. Building from biochemical knowledge, key topics include cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, cellular communication, and the cell cycle. Students will additionally explore cellular technologies and applications of cell biology in disease research and drug discovery.
BIO 300: Biotechnology Lab (4 units; Prerequisite: BIO 210 with a C- or better): This course is an introduction to common biotechnological techniques, synthesizing biochemistry and cell biology concepts for real-world application. Students will practice genomic technologies, including cloning, barcoding, and CRISPR-Cas9, and learn how these technologies are applied in personalized medicine, forensics, agriculture, and evolutionary biology.
BIO 330: Biotechnology Ethics (2 units; Prerequisite: BIO 300 with a C- or better OR concurrent enrollment in BIO 300): This course explores the ethical, legal, and social implications of advancements in biotechnology. Students will examine key ethics issues surrounding genome engineering, reproductive technologies, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and synthetic biology. Emphasis will be placed on balancing innovation with moral responsibility, cultural and global perspectives, the environment, and equitable distribution of advancements in medicine and agriculture. Students will engage in case studies to understand how biotechnology shapes society and the responsibilities of scientists, policymakers, and citizens.