Biotechnology, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Every living organism, from the smallest and most primitive bacteria to every plant, insect, animal or human being, contains DNA as the primary genetic material. DNA directs all cellular processes, creating the incredible variety and diversity of living organisms in the biosphere. Biotechnology focuses on the mechanics of life processes and their application. Biotechnology means "life technology" and represents an integrated, multidisciplinary field, with a profound impact today on almost every aspect of human endeavor.

Preparatory Requirements

UC Davis students who wish to change their major to Biotechnology must complete the following courses (representing the subject areas of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Mathematics) with a grade point average of at least 2.500 in each subject area. All of these courses must be taken for a letter grade:

Biological Sciences
BIS 002A
BIS 002B
BIS 002C
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
and Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
and Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
15
Chemistry
One series:15
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
Chemistry for Life Sciences: Determining Structure & Predicting Properties
and Chemistry for Life Sciences: Predicting & Characterizing Chemical Change
and Chemistry for Life Sciences: Controlling Processes & Synthetic Pathways
Mathematics
One series:6-8
Short Calculus
and Short Calculus
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
Calculus
and Calculus

The Program

In the first two years, students develop a strong and general background in biological science with an emphasis on fundamental concepts and basic principles of genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. Four options, Animal Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, Fermentation/Microbial Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics, provide in-depth training and specialized knowledge in an aspect of biotechnology. Each option has a strong laboratory component to reinforce the theoretical concepts. Students also do an internship in a biotechnology company or university or government laboratory.

Internships & Career Opportunities

In the last decade, more industries are turning to biotechnology to solve problems and improve products, creating a growing job market for individuals trained in biotechnology in the agricultural, food and beverage, health care, chemical, pharmaceutical and biochemical, and environmental and bioremediation industries.

Graduates trained in the technologies designed for biotechnology will find their training applicable to advanced research in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and the plant and animal sciences.

Lead Faculty Advisor

Diane Beckles in 133 Asmundson Hall

Faculty includes members of the Departments of Animal Science; Engineering: Chemical Engineering & Materials Science; Computer Science; Engineering: Biological & Agricultural; Food Science & Technology; Land, Air, & Water Resources; Plant Pathology; Plant Sciences; Viticulture & Enology; and the College of Biological Sciences.

Major Advisor

Advising Center for the major is located in 1220 Plant & Environmental Sciences; plsadvising@ucdavis.edu.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Biotechnology Bachelor of Science is 114.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Biological Science15
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
Biotechnology5
Introduction to Biotechnology
Undergraduate Seminars in Biotechnology
Chemistry21-27
002 series:
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
Choose CHE 008 series or 118 series or 128 series & 129A:
Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
and Organic Chemistry: Brief Course
OR
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
OR
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Mathematics
Choose a series:6-8
Short Calculus
and Short Calculus
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
Calculus
and Calculus
Physics8
General Physics
General Physics
Choose one:4
Applied Statistics in Agricultural Sciences
Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences
Choose one:4
May overlap with the English Composition Requirement; may be waived by passing the upper division composition exam.
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Writing in the Disciplines: Special Topics
Writing in the Disciplines: Biology
Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations
Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering
Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology
Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Law
Writing in the Professions: Journalism
Writing in the Professions: Elementary & Secondary Education
Writing in the Professions: Science
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal63-71
Depth Subject Matter
Biological Science10-17
Genes & Gene Expression
Cell Biology
Choose BIS 105, or BIS 102 & BIS 103, or ABI 102 & ABI 103:
Biomolecules & Metabolism
OR
Structure & Function of Biomolecules
and Bioenergetics & Metabolism
OR
Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
and Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism
Biotechnology3
Professionalism & Ethics in Genomics & Biotechnology
Microbiology3
Introductory Microbiology
Molecular & Cellular Biology3
Advanced Molecular Biology
Internship or Independent Research
Must be approved by major advisor
Choose one:3
Laboratory Research in Genomics & Biotechnology
Internship in Biotechnology
Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates
The following two courses are optional:
Undergraduate Research Proposal
Honors Thesis in Biotechnology
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal22-29
Areas of Specialization
Choose one:29-31
Areas of Specialization Subtotal29-31
Total Units114-131

Fermentation/Microbiology Biotechnology Option

Fermentation/Microbiology Biotechnology Option
BIT 161AGenetics & Biotechnology Laboratory5-6
or MCB 160L Principles of Genetics Laboratory
FST 104LFood Microbiology Laboratory3-4
or MIC 104L General Microbiology Laboratory
Choose one:3
Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis (Discontinued)
Microbial Ecology
MIC 140
(Discontinued)
Genomes of Pathogenic Bacteria (Discontinued)
MMG 170
or MIC 170 DISCONTINUED
Fungal Biology & Disease
AND
Choose one from the previous list or below:3
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Principles of Genomics
Restricted Electives
Choose 15 units:15
BIS 132
(Discontinued)
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Applied Bioinformatics
Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
Undergraduate Research Proposal
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
Computational Drug Design
Biotechnology Facility Design & Regulatory Compliance
Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory
Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics
Computational Structural Bioinformatics
Introduction to Evolution
Malting & Brewing Science
Practical Malting & Brewing
Food Microbiology
Food Microbiology Laboratory
Food Processing
Fermented Foods
Introduction to Enzymology
Enzymology Laboratory
Microbial Diversity
Microbial Diversity Laboratory
Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis (Discontinued)
Microbial Ecology
MIC 140
(Discontinued)
Genomes of Pathogenic Bacteria (Discontinued)
MIC 155L
(Discontinued)
General Virology (Discontinued)
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory
Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
Principles of Genomics
MMG 170
or MIC 170 DISCONTINUED
Fungal Biology & Disease
PLP 140
(Discontinued)
Microbiology & Safety of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Wine Production
Wine Production Laboratory
Wine Microbiology
Wine Technology & Winery Systems
Total Units29-31

Plant Biotechnology Option

Plant Biotechnology Option
Biotechnology13
Principles of Plant Biotechnology
Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
Microbiology2
Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Molecular & Cellular Biology3
Plant Biochemistry
Plant Science4
Plant Genetics
Restricted Electives
Choose 9 units:9
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Applied Bioinformatics
Undergraduate Research Proposal
Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
Computational Drug Design
Properties of Materials in Biological Systems
Selected Topics in Biological Systems Engineering: Forest Engineering
Selected Topics in Biological Systems Engineering: Plant Production & Harvest
Selected Topics in Biological Systems Engineering: Postharvest Engineering
Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics
Computational Structural Bioinformatics
Arthropod Pest Management
Introduction to Evolution
Food Microbiology
Food Microbiology Laboratory
Food Processing
Introduction to Enzymology
Enzymology Laboratory
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory
Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
Principles of Genomics
Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis (Discontinued)
General Virology (Discontinued)
Plant Nematology
Introduction to Nematology
Developmental Plant Anatomy
Plant Physiology
Plant Growth & Development
Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants
Evolution of Crop Plants
Introduction to Plant Pathology
Plant-Virus-Vector Interaction
Fungal Biology & Disease
PLP 140
(Discontinued)
Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants
Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants
Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants
Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
Plant, Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture (Discontinued)
Introduction to Plant Breeding
Physiology of Environmental Stresses in Plants
Mineral Nutrition of Plants
Biology and Quality of Harvested Crops
PLS 173
(Discontinued)
Microbiology & Safety of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
Total Units31

Animal Biotechnology Option

Animal Biotechnology Option
Animal Genetics4
Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques
Animal Science4
Ethics of Animal Use
Microbiology2
Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Molecular & Cellular Biology6-7
Developmental Biology
Developmental Genetics
Principles of Genomics
Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior5
Systemic Physiology
Restricted Electives
Choose 9 units:9
Animal Cytogenetics
Genetics & Animal Breeding
Reproduction & Early Development in Aquatic Animals
Management of Laboratory Animals
Avian Development & Genomics
Avian Reproduction
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Applied Bioinformatics
Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
Undergraduate Research Proposal
Introduction to Evolution
Population & Quantitative Genetics
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Associated Lecture
Principles of Genetics Laboratory
Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
Animal Cell Culture Laboratory
Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis (Discontinued)
General Virology (Discontinued)
MMI 188
(Discontinued)
Physiology of Reproduction
Physiology of Reproduction Laboratory
Nature vs. Nurture: Physiological Interactions Among Genes, Nutrients & Health
PLP 140
(Discontinued)
Fundamentals of Immunology
Immunology Laboratory
Medical Bacteria & Fungi
Biology of Animal Viruses
Total Units30-31

Bioinformatics Option

Bioinformatics Option
Biological Science3
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Biotechnology4
Applied Bioinformatics
Choose one:4-5
Genomics Laboratory
Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics
Computational Structural Bioinformatics
Computer Science Engineering4
Introduction to Programming
Introduction to Programming
Microbiology2
Introductory Microbiology Laboratory
Molecular & Cellular Biology3
Principles of Genomics
Restricted Electives
Choose 9 units:9
Sequence Analysis in Molecular Genetics
BIS 132
(Discontinued)
BIS 134
(Discontinued)
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Undergraduate Research Proposal
Special Topics in Applied Science: Biophotonics/Biotechnology
Discrete Mathematics For Computer Science
Introduction to Data Structures
Software Development in UNIX & C++
Computer Organization & Machine-Dependent Programming
Algorithm Design & Analysis
Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics
Computational Structural Bioinformatics
Programming Languages
Operating Systems & System Programming
Computer Architecture
Introduction to Evolution
Population & Quantitative Genetics
Phylogeny, Speciation & Macroevolution
Human Genetic Variation & Evolution
Microbial Phylogenomics; Genomic Perspectives on the Diversity & Diversification of Microbes
Mathematical Biology
Human Genetics & Genomics
Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis (Discontinued)
Nature vs. Nurture: Physiological Interactions Among Genes, Nutrients & Health
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course
Introduction to Probability Theory
Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science
Total Units29-30