Biotechnology

Overview

While classic examples of biotechnology include using bacteria and enzymes to produce cheeses and using yeast to make bread and beer, modern applications exploit DNA-based technologies such as immunology, biochemistry, and microbiology to make new products or provide services to improve health care, agriculture, food, and the environment. Over the past 40 years, biotechnology has caused a profound revolution in science and has had significant technological and social implications.

Today, pharmaceuticals and vaccines are being designed through biotechnology to treat various cancers, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, obesity, and other conditions. Biotechnology is responsible for hundreds of medical diagnostic tests that keep the blood supply safe from the AIDS virus and detect other conditions early enough to be successfully treated. Home pregnancy tests are also biotechnology diagnostic products. Food and agriculture biotechnology has resulted in the development of crops that are naturally resistant to pests and viruses; more tolerant of environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme cold; and more nutritious and longer lasting than their conventional counterparts. Environmental biotechnology products make it possible to more efficiently clean up hazardous waste without the use of caustic chemicals.

The Biotechnology curriculum at the California State University San Marcos comprises courses selected from the curricula of the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and the College of Business Administration. The core curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in molecular biosciences and biochemistry. It also introduces students to the applied technologies of fields such as molecular genetics/recombinant DNA technology, immunology/cell culture-hybridoma technology, biochemistry/protein purification methods, and DNA sequencing/computational biology.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology will be able to:

• Apply fundamental knowledge of biology, biological processes, and the scientific method to solve problems in biotechnology.

• Integrate biological knowledge and concepts with the legal, ethical, and business perspectives of the biotechnology and life sciences industry.

• Work in groups or individually to develop written and oral presentations that effectively communicate scientific concepts and opinions using language appropriate to the discipline.

• Apply major quantitative and computational skills and tools to solve problems in the biotech and the life sciences industry.

Career Opportunities

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from CSU San Marcos prepares students to succeed in entry-level positions in a number of market sectors, including pharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, environmental protection, medical therapeutics, scientific services, and scientific equipment and supplies. The degree will also enable graduates to pursue higher degrees in areas as diverse as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Environmental Science, Molecular Biology, and Plant Science.