Certificate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

The Certificate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is designed to better prepare undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students interested in pursuing the following areas:

  1. Advanced degrees molecular biology or applied biosciences and bioengineering.
  2. Professional degrees in biomedical sciences, biochemistry and gene technology programs.
  3. Employment in industry with a focus on biotechnology.

Many of the advances in Biological Sciences in the second half of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st century have occurred in the fields of molecular biology and genetics.  We have entered an era where genomic sequencing and the examination of entire biological systems is commonplace.  In this era of genomic sequencing and genetic engineering of a whole host of organisms a knowledge of Molecular biology is essential.  The Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is designed to prepare students for careers in fields where an in depth knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnology are needed. 

The current Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences is very broad.  No clear track to knowledge and skills in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is discernable.  In this program students will be prepared for research or technically intensive graduate programs and career positions requiring a knowledge set and expertise in molecular biology/ biotechnology.  Also students from this program that choose a public policy career will be better informed of the issues facing society in regards to molecular biology than their peers.

This program is aimed to be an interface between fundamental basic sciences and applied sciences.  The degree will require almost no additional resources from the University.  The Department of Biological Sciences and the STEM college already have the faculty, research base, and courses to implement this program.  The Bachelors degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology will simply clarify for students a pathway to acquiring a specific set of skills and knowledge that are already available at Youngstown State University.

The B.S. Certificate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is designed to give the student a competitive edge in obtaining career opportunities in pharmaceuticals, biomedical, biotechnology, recombinant DNA technology based fields as well a broader opportunities. This is a research and techniques focused curriculum that emphasizes the molecular biology sciences.

Criteria for admission to the certificate program: Due to the research-intensive aspects of this program, a limited number of competitive candidates will be selected for participation in the Certificate. Minimum requirements for admission to the Certificate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology are; 1) completion of the prerequisite course in the certificate curriculum and 2) a 3.0 GPA. Admission to the program is determined by the program coordinator (Departmental Chair) after review of formal application. 

To receive the certificate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, students must complete 35-38 semester hours and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their required and elective courses in the certificate program.

Prerequisites for admission to the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology certificate.

These prerequisite courses are designed to select for the students that will be successful in the molecular biology and biotechnology fields. They all apply to the BS or BA degree program.

COURSE TITLE S.H.
BIOL 2601
2601L
General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells
and General Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory
4
BIOL 2602
2602L
General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology
and General Biology: Organisms and Ecology Laboratory
4
BIOL 3721Genetics3
BIOL 3702
3702L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
4
OR
BIOL 3711Cell Biology: Fine Structure3
Total of Prerequisites BIOL courses: 14-15 s.h.

Required Certificate Courses

COURSE TITLE S.H.
BIOL 4890Molecular Genetics3
BIOL 4800
4800L
Bioinformatics
and Bioinformatics Laboratory
4
BIOL 4850 A-Z Problems Course. Pick one course number specific to the topic/instructor1 s.h. then 2 s.h. with same instructor
BIOL 5827Gene Manipulation2
CHEM 3785Biochemistry 13
or BIOL 4829 Microbial Physiology
Subtotal of required BIOL courses: 15 s.h.

Biochemistry 1 can replace the chemistry recitation sections in satisfying the Chemistry minor. These courses are designed to give the student a firm foundation for molecular biology and the applied sciences in molecular biology. 

Elective certificate BIOL courses. Pick at least two lecture courses and one lab course from the following (6-8 s.h.)

COURSE TITLE S.H.
BIOL 3759Evolution3
BIOL 3703Clinical Immunology3
BIOL 3703LClinical Immunology Laboratory1
BIOL 4890LMolecular Genetics Laboratory1
BIOL 48371
BIOL 48363
BIOL 4801
4801L
Environmental Microbiology
and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory
4
BIOL 3730Human Physiology4 or 3 or 3
or BIOL 3745 Plant Physiology
or BIOL 4829 Microbial Physiology
BIOL 48932
BIOL 4822Principles of Pharmacology3
BIOL 4823Cancer Biology2
BIOL 4848Biology of Fungi3
BIOL 5823Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics3
BIOL 5840Advanced Microbiology3
Subtotal of elective BIOL courses: 6-8 s.h.

Learning Outcomes

  • The student will learn research approaches to modern questions in molecular biology by experiencing a research intensive environment.
  • The student will learn and master scientific approaches and perspective of  problems involing the  molecular biology of living organisms. With his molecular perspective and context, will develop in the student a high level of problem solving ability.
  • The student will become skilled in biotechnology techniques and methods.