Course Catalog

Biotechnology courses, BL 216 and BL 217, are listed under the Biology Department.

Over the past twenty years, the emerging field of biotechnology has fundamentally changed the world we live in. It has led to breakthrough medical discoveries, greater understanding of the building blocks of life, advances in evolutionary biology, environmental remediation, agriculture, industrial processes, biomaterials, and even artificial intelligence. It has also spawned intense controversy. Public policy debates, ethical and religious concerns, legal and financial scandals, and questions of research integrity have all been a part of the biotechnology revolution.

Today the U.S. biotechnology industry is valued at $311 billion, and directly employs roughly 200,000 people. Additionally, many more jobs have been created in research, government, law, finance, and other areas directly supporting the industry. The need for people trained to work in biotechnology is increasing at rates above the national average. People working in biotechnology are paid higher than average wages, making the field an attractive educational option for students. The opportunities for graduates with knowledge and skills in biotechnology are substantial.

At the core of a biotechnology curriculum is a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and laboratory expertise. It is the interconnection of these fields that creates opportunity. The School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing is able to deliver an interdisciplinary curriculum while maintaining the intimacy of a small liberal arts college, allowing students to explore various interconnected subspecialities through one-on-one research experiences with faculty and industry.

Biotechnology, however, is more than just a discipline of science. It touches ethics, public policy, government, economics, business, education, and law. Saint Vincent College has a distinct advantage in educating and preparing students for careers in biotechnology that extend beyond the laboratory. With strong existing programs in these liberal arts areas, we are in a position to address the whole discipline of biotechnology.

Certification in Biotechnology
May be completed as a post-Baccalaureate Certificate (usually in one year), or concurrently with a traditional major course of study (may require an additional semester to complete).

Certification Requirements
Prerequisites:

Course Requirements (32 credits):

The Certification in Biotechnology requires, in addition to coursework, an applied internship or research experience, either paid or unpaid (which can occur on or off campus, during the summer or during the school year), and the completion of an individualized Portfolio.
The Portfolio will be used to highlight a student’s acquired and demonstrated skills in biotechnology laboratory techniques, as well as their broader understanding of the field from a regulatory, policy, business, ethical, legal, and societal perspective. It will also convey a student’s communicative and presentation abilities.
At least 12 credits of the Certificate course requirements must be completed at Saint Vincent College.

Minor in Biotechnology
To be completed concurrently with a traditional major course of study.
Minor Requirements (21 Credits)

*These courses require the General Biology series (BL 151-154) as a prerequisite.

The minor in Biotechnology requires, in addition to coursework, an applied internship, research experience, or cumulative paper.