Biotechnology B.S./M.S. (4 +1)
Master of Science in Biotechnology
The 4+1 BS/MS program is a combined Biotechnology BS major/Biotechnology MS degree that students complete in 5 years.
The Biotechnology degree is geared for those seeking a career in the biotechnology industry. Students in the program take core classes in both biotech science-related and bio-entrepreneurship curricula. This program combines molecular biology rigor with soft skills to provide the essential background for interfacing research with successful workplace interactions in the biotech industry. Our mission is to provide motivated students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter or advance their careers in the biotechnology industry.
Admission Requirements and Application to the 4+1 Accelerated Program:
Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for the 4+1 accelerated PSM:
- Students must apply after their sophomore year in the BS program (Most students apply in the spring semester of their sophomore year.)
- Maintain a GPA of 3.2 or above in their BS work (both overall and in their major)
- Submit an essay up to 500 words that describes their interest in the program and future career plans
- Complete 90 credits by the end of their sixth semester or 60 credits by the end of the fourth semester in the BS
- Submit an official copy of their transcripts
- Submit one (1) letter of recommendation from a professor in their major
- Please note: The GRE is waived for 4+1 applicants.
Applications may be obtained from the Biological Sciences Department.
ADVANTAGES OF THE 4+1 PROGRAM:
- Once accepted into the PSM program, students can transfer up to 14 credits from their undergraduate courses to the MS degree, provided:
- They have more than the required 120 credits for their undergraduate degree
- Students obtain a grade of B or better in each course.
- Students can take up to two graduate-level (400 level or above) science courses during each of their final three semesters.
- Students are charged the undergraduate tuition rate for graduate courses taken during the final three semesters of their undergraduate program.
VU Biology graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in general biology concepts and theories, as well as in self-selected biology sub-disciplines in order to succeed in careers and graduate programs.
- Illustrate sufficient proficiency in calculus, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics in order to understand biological concepts involving these disciplines.
- Operate basic scientific instruments necessary for biological investigations such as microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, electrophoresis equipment and pH meters thus demonstrating competency in basic laboratory skills, cell culture, and field techniques.
- Design and conduct experiments –both individually and in small groups– using appropriate strategies such as: collect, organize, analyze, interpret, and present quantitative & qualitative data and incorporate them into the broader context of biological knowledge.
- Analyze and evaluate various types of scientific information including primary research articles, mass media sources and world-wide web information.
- Disseminate and present biological data with theoretical and historical perspectives –both in oral and written formats– to a diverse audience.
- Use critical and creative thinking to solve problems by compiling and analyzing scientific information from library, electronic, and experimental sources. Effectively apply current technology and scientific methodologies for problem solving.
- Articulate historical, current, and theoretical issues relating to biology and society within a Christ-centered worldview that allows for evaluation of the relationship of scientific theories with ethical and religious perspectives, particularly those common to Pentecostal Christians.
Course Requirements:
Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (122 units, 4 years)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 46 | |
| Biotechnology Major Requirements | 76 | |
| General Electives | 0 | |
| Total Units | 122 | |
Biotechnology Major requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division: | ||
| BIOL-111 & 111L | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology and Principles of Biology Lab,Principles of Cell/Molecular Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL-112 & 112L | Principles of Organismal Biology and Principles of Organismal Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL-220 & 220L | Cell Biology and Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIOT-200 & 200L | Introduction to Biotechnology and Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM-120 & 120L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| CHEM-121 & 121L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| MATH-180C | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MATH-265C | Intro to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| or MATH-270C | Health Professions Statistical Methods | |
| PSCI-130C & 130CL | General Physics I and General Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PSCI-131 & 131L | General Physics II and General Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Upper Division: | ||
| BIOL-309 & 309L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL-440 & 440L | Molecular Biology and Techniques in Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-450 | UG Research or Internship Program | 2 |
| or BIOL-485 | Undergrad Biological Research | |
| BIOL-499C | Capstone Seminar in Biology | 2 |
| BIOT-403 | Adv. Research Methods in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT-405 & 405L | Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOT-413 | Cell Culture Techniques | 3 |
| CHEM-304 & 304L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Techniques I | 4 |
| CHEM-305 & 305L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Technqs II | 4 |
| MNGT-325 | Management Theory/Practice | 3 |
| CHEM-430 & 430L | Biochemistry and Experimental Tech/Biochemistry | 4 |
| Total Units | 76 | |
Master of Science in Biotechnology (22 units, 1 year)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Project Options (6 units, may be split between two semesters): | 6 | |
| Internship Program | ||
or BIOT-685 | Independent Advanced Research | |
| BIOT-508 | Legal and Social Ethics in Science | 3 |
| BIOT-511 | Regulations and Quality Management | 2 |
| BIOT-515 | Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| BIOT-600 | Bioinnovation/Entrepreneurship/Biotech | 2 |
| BIOT-603 | Bus Analytics and Professional Comm | 3 |
| BIOT-699 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| PSOG-507 | Intro to Psychology and Behavior in Org In Organizations | 3 |
| Total Units | 23 | |
Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Biology.
Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.
| Year 1 Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| CORE-100C | Cornerstone | 1 |
| BIOL-111 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-111L | Principles of Biology Lab,Principles of Cell/Molecular Biology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-120 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-120L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| NT-101C | New Testament Survey | 3 |
| ENGL-120C | Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 1 Term 2 | ||
| BIOL-112 | Principles of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-112L | Principles of Organismal Biology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-121 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-121L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| PSYC-103C | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Units | 11 | |
| Year 2 Term 1 | ||
| BIOL-220 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-220L | Cell Biology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM-304 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM-304L | Organic Chemistry Techniques I | 1 |
| KINE-148C | Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture | 3 |
| THEO-101C | Foundations of Christian Life | 3 |
| ENGL-220C | Researched Writing | 3 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 2 Term 2 | ||
| BIOT-200 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT-200L | Introduction to Biotechnology Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM-305 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM-305L | Organic Chemistry Technqs II | 1 |
| MATH-PLSTAT | Math Sci Stat Or Into to Stat | 3 |
| OT-201C | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| FINA-PLCR | Fine Arts Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 3 Term 1 | ||
| MATH-180C | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| PSCI-130C | General Physics I | 3 |
| PSCI-130CL | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL-309 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL-309L | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| COMM-201C | Speech Composition and Presentation | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 Term 2 | ||
| PSCI-131 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PSCI-131L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| MNGT-325 | Management Theory/Practice | 3 |
| BIOT-413 | Cell Culture Techniques | 3 |
| HIST-PLCR1 | History Core Req (US Hist Or Democracy) | 3 |
| BIOL-PLUGR | Undergraduate Research or Internship | 2 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 Term 1 | ||
| BIOL-440 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-440L | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 1 |
| CHEM-430 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM-430L | Experimental Tech/Biochemistry | 1 |
| THEO-300C | Developing a Christian World View | 3 |
| HIST-PLCR2 | History Core Requirement (World Civ) | 3 |
| SOC-PLCR | Social Science Core Curriculum Reqm't | 3 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 4 Term 2 | ||
| BIOT-403 | Adv. Research Methods in Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIOT-405 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIOT-405L | Bioinformatics Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL-499C | Capstone Seminar in Biology | 2 |
| CHIS-400C | Christian Heritage | 3 |
| ENGL-230C | Literature and the Human Experience | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 Term 3 | ||
| BIOT-PLHDRS | Biotechnology Advanced Project Option | 6 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Year 5 Term 1 | ||
| PSOG-505 | Intro to Psychology and Behavior in Org In Organizations | 3 |
| BIOT-515 | Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| BIOT-508 | Legal and Social Ethics in Science | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Year 5 Term 2 | ||
| BIOT-603 | Bus Analytics and Professional Comm | 3 |
| BIOT-511 | Regulations and Quality Management | 2 |
| BIOT-600 | Bioinnovation/Entrepreneurship/Biotech | 2 |
| BIOT-699 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| Units | 8 | |
| Total Units | 145 | |