The undergraduate Minor in Biotechnology is a university-wide program and draws upon NC State’s strength in the life sciences, agriculture, and engineering. Students in the minor will participate in a series of cutting-edge laboratory-intensive courses. Upon completion of the minor, students will have a conceptual understanding of a wide array of research applications in biotechnology, as well as mastery of numerous techniques.

Biotechnology is not universally accepted, and one role of a university is to ensure that this technology is used wisely. A key part of the training provided by the Biotechnology Minor is the requirement for an ethics course that promotes critical thinking of ethical issues and discussions of individual and collective rights and responsibilities. By active participation in break-out sessions, each student can contribute their concerns and thoughts regarding the complex issues that accompany the use of genetically engineered organisms.

Admissions and Certification of Minor

Students who have questions or who would like to be admitted to the minor should complete the Change of Degree Application (CODA) to Add a Minor. The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from their degree program. The CODA should be completed during the registration period that will complete the requirements for the minor or during the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State.

Contact Persons

Carlos C. Goller
6104 Jordan Hall
919.513.4231
ccgoller@ncsu.edu

Robert M. Kelly
Partners II Bldg., Room 3309
840 Main Campus Drive
919.515.6396
rmkelly@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

The requirements for the Biotechnology Minor include 8-11 credits of biotechnology-related laboratory courses (see Group B and C), and a 1-3 credit biotechnology ethics course (Group E). A 3 credit research experience related to biotechnology (Group D) is strongly recommended but may be replaced with an additional 2 credit biotechnology-related laboratory course (Group C) and a 1 credit  biotechnology professional development course (Group D), Group A describes the pre-requisite courses a student will need to have completed satisfactorily in order to be eligible to start the minor. The minor requires 19-22 credit hours depending on course selection.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours	Counts towards
Group A: Preparatory Classes		7
BIO 183	Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
CH 223	Organic Chemistry II 1
Group B		4
BIT 410	Manipulation of Recombinant DNA 2
or BCH 454	Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
Group C: Biotechnology Techniques Modules 3		4-5
BIT 455	Cancer Drug Discovery and Development
BIT 464	Protein Purification
BIT 471	RNA Interference and Model Organisms
BIT 473	Protein Interactions
BIT 474	Plant Genetic Engineering
BIT 477	Metagenomics
BIT 479	High-Throughput Discovery
BIT 480	Yeast Metabolic Engineering
BIT 482	Virus Biotechnology: Pathogens to Therapeutics
Other 400-level BIT laboratory courses
Group D		3
Select one of the following: 4
ALS 499	Honors Research or Teaching II
CHE 497	Chemical Engineering Projects I
Any 492 or 493 course in a Science Department, providing that a biotechnology-related research topic is pursued
Group E		1-3
Any of these courses will fulfill this requirement. Other courses may be used with departmental approval. 5
IDS 201	Environmental Ethics
STS 302	Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values
IDS 303	Humans and the Environment
STS 304	Ethical Dimensions of Progress
PHI/STS 325	Bio-Medical Ethics
BIT 501	Ethical Issues in Biotechnology
Total Hours		19-22

¹

This course is required after the above course has been completed.

²

One of these courses should be taken preferably during the junior or senior year, prior to or concurrently with the research internship in Group D. BIT 410 Manipulation of Recombinant DNA is the preferred course for students to take and will be offered in fall, spring, and most summer semesters.

³

​These courses will be offered in pairs of 7.5-week modules during the Fall and Spring semesters. You may combine any two courses from this list. BIT special topic laboratory courses designated BIT 495 Special Topics in Biotechnology or BIT 595 Special Topics may be used with departmental approval. Other BIT 400-level laboratory courses are permitted with departmental approval. BIT laboratory courses are constantly added and updated to cover new biotechnology techniques. To view the latest BIT special topics laboratory courses, visit the BIT program website: http://biotech.ncsu.edu/courses

⁴

A 3 credit research experience related to biotechnology is strongly recommended. This should be done through your major department if possible. Most majors have 492/493 level courses that give credit for research experience. An additional 2 credit biotechnology-related laboratory course (Group C) plus a 1 credit biotechnology professional development course (BIT 402 Biotechnology Networking and Professional Development) may replace this research requirement. There are many opportunities for summer internships in the Research Triangle Park. Please consult with your advisor, the coordinator of advising for your major, the Career Services office, or the BIT advisor. 

⁵

You must enroll for 1-3 credits of courses that include ethical discussions of biotechnology.