Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Biotechnology at Utah Tech trains students in cellular and molecular processes to develop technologies and products that improve lives and the planet. The interdisciplinary program combines biological, chemical, and biotechnology sciences, preparing students for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry. Local companies provide internships, mentorship, and employment opportunities, creating a pipeline for the local and regional biotechnology industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Biotechnology is designed to train students to apply cellular and molecular processes in living and non-living organisms. This program aims to develop technologies and products to improve lives and the health of the planet. The program is interdisciplinary, combining biological sciences, chemical sciences, and biotechnology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the field. Students will gain knowledge and experience through lectures and laboratory sessions that cover the biotechnology field's ever-evolving techniques, protocols, practices, and career opportunities. This program is particularly well-suited for students transferring with a Biotechnology Certificate from Dixie Tech who wish to further their education and earn an AAS degree. Upon completion, students will be qualified for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry.
Outline:
Program Curriculum:
The program consists of 63 credit hours, including:
- General Education & Institutional Requirements:
- English: COMM 2110 Interpersonal Communication (SS, GC) or PSY 1010 General Psychology (SS, GC)
- English Composition: ENGL 1010 Introduction to Writing (EN) or ENGL 1010D Introduction to Writing (EN)
- Fine Arts: 3 credit hours
- Quantitative Reasoning: MATH 1050 College Algebra / Pre-Calculus (MA) (or higher) 4 credit hours
- Human Relations: SSC 1010 2 credit hours
- Biotechnology Requirements:
- BIOL 2060 & BIOL 2065 Principles of Microbiology and Principles of Microbiology Lab 4 credit hours
- BIOL 2890R Introductory Life Science Internship 2 credit hours
- BTEC 1010 Fundamentals of Biotechnology 3 credit hours
- BTEC 2020 Protein Purification and Analysis 2 credit hours
- BTEC 2030 Cell Culture Techniques 2 credit hours
- BTEC 2040 Advanced Nucleic Acids Laboratory 3 credit hours
Graduation Requirements:
- Minimum of 63 college-level credits (1000 and above).
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Graduation Plan:
- 1st Year
- Fall Semester: 16 credit hours
- BIOL 1610 & BIOL 1615 (5)
- BTEC 1010 (3)
- ENGL 1010 (3)
- MATH 1050 (4)
- SSC 1010 (2)
- Spring Semester: 15 credit hours
- BIOL 2060 & BIOL 2065 (4)
- ENGL 2010 (3)
- BTEC 2010 (2)
- General Education (Fine Art) (3)
- GE Electives (2)
- 2nd Year
- Fall Semester: 16 credit hours
- BTEC 2030 (2)
- BTEC 2040 (3)
- GE Elective (Social/Behavioral Sciences) (3)
- BIOL 2890R (2)
- Elective (3)
- Spring Semester: 15 credit hours
- GE Elective (Literature/Humanities) (3)
- GE Elective (American Institutions) (3)
- GE Elective (Exploration) (3)
- CHEM 1210 & CHEM 1215 (5)
- General Elective (2)
- BTEC 2020 (2)
Careers:
- The program prepares students for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry.
- Local biotechnology companies such as Soft Cell Biological Research, Soft Cell Laboratories, Intermountain-Precision Genomics, Red Mesa Science and Refining, Deseret Laboratories, and Gene Stat will provide internships, mentorship, and employment opportunities for students.
- The program aims to create a pipeline for the local and regional biotechnology industry.
