College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department of Biological Sciences
www.kent.edu/chemistry
About This Program
Our Biotechnology program offers a thorough education on the principles and techniques of biotechnology, equipping you with the necessary skills for a diverse array of careers in academia, government and industry. With access to cutting-edge research facilities, experienced faculty and real-world opportunities, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to make an impact in this exciting field. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- 3.8% about as fast as the average
- 1,050,800 number of jobs
- $62,870 potential earnings
Biological technicians
- 4.9% about as fast as the average
- 87,500 number of jobs
- $46,340 potential earnings
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- 6.1% faster than the average
- 138,300 number of jobs
- $91,510 potential earnings
Biological scientists, all other
- 2.2% slower than the average
- 44,700 number of jobs
- $85,290 potential earnings
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency unless they meet specific exceptions. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog.
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
Plan of Study Grid | Semester One |
! | BSCI 10120 | BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10060 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) | 4 |
! | CHEM 10062 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
| MATH 12002 | ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) | 5 |
| UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
| | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Semester Two |
| BSCI 30140 | CELL BIOLOGY | 4 |
| BTEC 10210 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| CHEM 10061 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) | 4 |
| CHEM 10063 | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Semester Three |
| BSCI 30171 | GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY | 4 |
| CHEM 20481 | BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I | 4 |
| PHIL 21001 | INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS (DIVG) (KHUM) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 |
| | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Semester Four |
| BSCI 30156 | ELEMENTS OF GENETICS | 3 |
| CS 10051 | COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES (KMCR) | 4 |
| PHY 13001 | GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) | 4 |
| PHY 13021 | GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) | 1 |
| Foreign Language | 4 |
| | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Semester Five |
| BUS 10123 | EXPLORING BUSINESS | 3 |
| MATH 30011 | BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS | 3 |
| PHIL 30015 | MEDICINE AND MORALITY | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| General Elective | 1 |
| | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Semester Six |
| BSCI 40158 | MOLECULAR BIOLOGY | 3 |
| CHEM 30284 | INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY | 4 |
| Major Elective | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Third Summer Term |
| BTEC 40192
| INTERNSHIP IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (ELR)
or INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (ELR) | 2-6 |
| | Credit Hours | 2 |
| Semester Seven |
| BTEC 40191 | SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY | 1 |
| BTEC 40210 | CASE STUDIES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (WIC) | 3 |
| BTEC 40220 | BIOINFORMATICS | 3 |
| Major Elective | 3 |
| Kent Core Requirement | 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 13 |
| Semester Eight |
| BTEC 40192
| INTERNSHIP IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (ELR)
or INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY (ELR) | 4-6 |
| CHEM 40251 | ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) | 2 |
| CHEM 40262 | BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION | 3 |
| Major Elective | 3 |
| | Credit Hours | 12 |
| | Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 120 |
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Apply knowledge and information to complex issues in biotechnology.
- Use problem-solving and data-gathering skills to comprehend issues in biotechnology.
- Develop inductive reasoning and technical communications skills in the context of working in a complex group environment.
- Analyze scientific papers and expand skills for listening to and critiquing scientific seminars based on the literature or current research.
- Effectively communicate scientific information.
- Develop collaborative working relationships with research mentors and laboratory members.
Full Description
The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary program that provides a strong academic foundation in biological sciences and chemistry, practical training in the various biotechnologies and a solid understanding of their application in industry and biomedicine. The science of biotechnology extends across many areas of biology and chemistry and provides cutting-edge technology tools for modern biology and biomedical research. The curriculum includes a research experience at Kent State and/or an internship at a biotechnology company.
Biotechnology graduates have employment opportunities in biomedical research and in the rapidly growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.