Academic Catalog

Biotechnology (B.S.) 2023-2024 Catalog Year
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biotechnology provides students the opportunity to gain an understanding of living organisms, at the cellular and molecular level, and in relationship with their environment for the purpose of enhancing human health and improving the environment.  The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and provides undergraduate research experience. Students learn through elective courses and research how to apply biological knowledge to solve current problems in fields such as Agriculture, Medicine, Environmental and Marine Sciences.  The program prepares students pursuing graduate studies, entering the work force in industrial, academic or governmental laboratories, acceptance into medical, dental, veterinary or pharmacy schools.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

For timely degree completion, students must complete all program milestones. The following actions occur when milestones are missed: first occurrence—advising hold and counseling regarding progression requirements; second occurrence—counseling and change to a major outside of the Department of Biology or Department of Chemistry and Physics that is more appropriate to student goals and academic performance. Appeals are handled through the relevant department. The decision of the appeal committee is final. Program milestones include the following:

  • BSC 1010C or BSC 1011/1011L minimum grade of C completed one calendar year from admission as first time in college (FTIC) or 30 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • BSC 1010C and BSC 1011/1011L minimum grade of C completed by end of fourth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 45 credits earned, whichever is earlier.
  • PCB 3023C, PCB 3043C or PCB 3063C minimum grade of C completed by end of sixth semester (including summers) from admission as FTIC or 60 credits earned, whichever is earlier.

Transfer students may declare the major after they have completed BSC 1010C, BSC 1011, and BSC 1011L with grades of C or better in each course. Transfer students must complete PCB 3023C, PCB 3043C or PCB 3063C with a grade of C or better within three semesters (including summer) of declaring the major.

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
  • Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
  • Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/.
  • Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
  1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)

    To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.

  2. Common Prerequisites
    For this major, common prerequisite courses with an asterisk (*) require prior knowledge and skills demonstrated through degree acceleration programs (e.g., the College Board's Advanced Placement Program [AP], International Baccalaureate Program [IB], College-Level Examination Program [CLEP], Advanced International Certificate of Education Program [AICE]); dual enrollment; placement exam; or college coursework.

    FGCU Course: BSC 1010C Gen’l Biology w/Lab I (4) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX010C or (BSCX010 and BSCX010L)

    FGCU Course: BSC 1011 General Biology II (3) and BSC 1011L General Biology II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: BSCX011C or (BSCX011 and BSCX011L)

    FGCU Course: *CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3) and CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHM045C or (CHMX045 and CHMX045L)
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3) and CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX046C or (CHMX046 and CHMX046L)

    FGCU Course: CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I (3) and CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX210C or (CHMX210 and CHMX210L)

    FGCU Course: CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II (3) and CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: CHMX211C or (CHMX211 and CHMX211L)

    FGCU Course: *MAC 2311 Calculus I (4) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: MACX311 or MACX233 or MACX253 or MACX281
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C then MAC 1147 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: *PHY 2053 College Physics I (3) and PHY 2053L College Physics Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: PHYX053C  or (PHYX053 and PHYX053L) or PHYX048C or (PHYX048 and PHYX048L)
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C then MAC 1105 minimum grade of C then MAC 1147 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

    FGCU Course: PHY 2054 College Physics II (3) and PHY 2054L College Physics II Laboratory (1) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: PHYX054C or (PHYX054 and PHYX054L) or PHYX049C or (PHYX049 and PHYX049L)

    FGCU Course: *STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3) Minimum grade of C
    Acceptable Substitute: STAX023 or STAX122 or STAX014 or STAX024 or STAX321
    [Prerequisites of MAT 1033 minimum grade of C; or relevant accelerated credit; or placement exam]

  3. Required Courses in the Major (30 credits)
    A minimum grade of C is required in each course

    BCH 3023C Biochemistry (3)
    BSC 4422C Methods in Biotechnology (3)
    BSC 4942C Senior Res. Biotech. (2)
    BSC 4943 Sr. Proj. Pres. Biotech. (1)
    IDS 3300 Foundations of CivicEngagement (3)
    ISC 3120C Scientific Process (3)
    MCB 3020C General Microbiology (4)
    PCB 3023C Cell Biology (4)
    PCB 3063C Genetics (4)
    PCB 4522C Molecular Genetics (3)

  4. Restricted Electives in the Major (18 credits)
    A minimum grade of C is required in each course

    Select 2 credits from the following:

    BSC 4905 Dir. Ind.Study/Res. Biotech. (1-3) or
    BSC 4941 Internship in Biotechnology (1-3)

    Select 16 credits from the following:

    ANS 3440 Animal Nutrition (3)
    BCH 3025C Analytical Biochemistry (3)
    BOT 3015C The Lives of Plants and Algae (3)
    BOT 4394C Plant Molecular Biology (3)
    BOT 4503C Plant Physiology (3)
    BSC 4905 Dir. Ind.Study/Res. Biotech. (1-3)
    BSC 4930 Special Topics in Biology (2-4)
    BSC 4941 Internship in Biotechnology (1-3)
    MAC 2312 Calculus II (4)
    MCB 3652C Environmental Microbiology (3)
    MCB 4223C Food Microbiology (3)
    MCB 4502C Virology (3)
    PCB 3703C Human Physiology (4)*
    PCB 3723C Comparative Animal Physiology (3)*
    PCB 4233C Immunology (3)
    PCB 4253C Developmental Biology (3)
    PCB 4454C Biological Statistics (3)
    PCB 4671C Evolution in the Omics Age (3)
    PCB 4714 Comparative Immunology (3)
    ZOO 4513C Animal Behavior (3)
    ZOO 4753C Histology (3)

    *Credits from only one course, either PCB 3723C Comparative Animal Physiology or PCB 3703C Human Physiology, will count towards the required hours of electives in Biotechnology.

  5. University Requirements (3 credits)
    IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)

  6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree

Total Credits Required: 120

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