The Bachelor of Science Program in Biotechnology is intended to provide students with strong core science concepts and an application-oriented undergraduate education. Strongly interdisciplinary, this innovative program strives to help students develop critical-thinking skills and increased interest and /or persistence in STEM related courses. The program's objective is to prepare students for employment opportunities in the critically important and dynamic biotechnology industry. In addition, the curriculum will provide students with knowledge and core set of skills that span across basic sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. With an emphasis on environmental biotechnology, this is the first program in the state of Texas that integrates bioprocessing, nanobiotechnology, bioinformatics and environmental biotechnology into the undergraduate curriculum.

The program recognizes the need for cross-disciplinary training and fosters collaborative interactions that will strengthen undergraduate education.

The program is specifically designed to:

• Develop adaptable students with a strong foundation in skills that are relevant to the changing world of biotechnology.
• Provide students with practical training in the skills and techniques of biotechnology.
• Integrate the laboratory and lecture components of the program through the use of an experimental approach to learning.
• Uniquely combine practical, hands-on biotechnology training with cutting-edge biotechnology research and teaching.

Two curriculum tracks: 1) Bioprocessing, and 2) Bioinformatics give students the flexibility to tailor their degree based on their interest, educational background and career goals. These tracks, in combination with core courses, will provide our students with a broad exposure to the field of biotechnology. The presence of the Texas Medical Center in the greater Houston area and a growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, places this program at the forefront of Biotechnology Education.

Students pursuing the Biotechnology major must complete the following requirements in addition to the university core and general college requirements.