Overview
Biotechnology is a field of applied science that equips you to work in a variety of biological and medical research settings.
As a biotechnology student at Calvin, you will:
- have access to advanced instrumentation through labs and summer research
- isolate DNA, denature proteins and grow cell cultures
- prepare for a future career or graduate level work
Careers in Biotechnology
- Cellular Biologist
- Biomedical Research
- Scientific Writing
- Genetic Counseling
- Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Research
- Molecular Biology Research
- More
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Become a lab assistant in a biology laboratory course; join the Environmental Stewardship Coalition and the International Health and Development Club; work on ecosystem restoration projects
Course Requirements 2012-13
Biotechnology major (BS)
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in biology or biotechnology is a minimum average of C (2.0) in Biology 123, 224, and 225 or approved equivalent courses.
(35-40 semester hours)
- BIOL-123 The Living World: Concepts & Connections
- BIOL-224 Cellular & Genetic Systems
- BIOL-225 Ecological & Evolutionary Systems
- BIOL-250 Research Design & Methodology
- BIOL-295 Biology Seminar (taken twice, one concurrently with BIOL-250)
- BIOL-325 Biotechnology
- BIOL-334 Cell and Tissue Culture
- CHEM-324 Biochemistry II
- CHEM-383 Laboratory in Biochemistry
- One from:
- One from:
- BIOL-354 Biology Investigations Course
- BIOL-385 Internship in Biology
- BIOL-399 Undergraduate Research
- A research contract in an advanced course (see department website for contract details)
- One capstone course:
- Completion of the biology major field test
Cognates (29-33 semester hours)
- CHEM-103* General Chemistry I
- CHEM-104 General Chemistry II
- One from:
- One from:
- MATH-143 Probability and Statistics
- One from:
- CS-106 Intro Scientific Computation & Modeling
Biotechnology minor
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in biology or biotechnology is a minimum average of C (2.0) in Biology 123, 224, and 225 or approved equivalent courses.
(20-21 semester hours)
The biotechnology minor complements diverse majors, providing beneficial backgrounds for careers in bioinformatics, nanotechnology, patent law, bioethics, genetic counseling, writing/policy, and other emerging fields. Students considering this minor should contact the biotechnology advisor, D. Koetje.
The college?s course overlap policy requires 14 distinct courses between a student?s major and minor programs. Biology majors pursuing a biotechnology minor may only count Biology 123 and 224 (or 141) toward both programs. Biochemistry and chemistry majors may apply Chemistry 103 and 104 to both programs.
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.
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Debra Deur Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,800
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
-
James and Beatrice Harkema Family Scholarship
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- award amount: $1,750
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; pursuing biomedical science
- apply through the Calvin Portal
-
Ann, Myrtle, Eunice, Faith and Marie Huizenga Scholarship for Women
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- award amount: $1,900
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.2+
- financial need required; interested in missions
- apply through the Calvin Portal
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NSF Scientific Computing Scholarship
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- award amount: $5,000 to $8,000
- any class level
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; US citizen; full-time student; demonstrate an interest in scientific computation and modeling
- apply through the Integrated Science Research Institute
-
West Michigan Optometric Scholarship
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- award amount: $1,500
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; intending to pursue a career in optometry
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- View all scholarship opportunities