Biotechnology

How do scientific breakthroughts in genetics, artificial intelligence and food science become the vaccines, treatments and products that prevent and treat disease and help us living healthier lives?

The growing field of biotechnology focuses on the application of the biological sciences and biochemistry to develop technologies and products that improve public health and the health of our planet.

The College's Fenway neighborhood is home to biotech and biopharma powerhouses such as Biogen, Genzyme, and Merck Research Laboratories Boston, as well as incubators such as LabCentral, a non-profit founded in 2013 as a launchpad for high-potential life sciences and biotech start-ups. Alongside medical breakthroughs such as Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, Boston-area startups are developing virtual reality experiences to treat cognitive disorders, exploring alternatives for human testing by engineering materials that behave like human specimens, creating wearable technologies that use AI to develop targeted treatment for chronic illnesses, and addressing public health issues such as food science, air quality and age-related diseases and more.

Students within Emmanuel's biotechnology major will complete a rigorous biology curriculum and receive training in the laboratory methods required to carry out biotechnology research and apply their assessment of scientific literature to research that has the potential to be commercialized. Additionally, through courses within the School of Business & Management, students will understand basic principles of organizational behavior, management and business strategy, prepared to meet the needs of the field's constantly evolving job market.

Major Requirements

View the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for B.S. in Biotechnology

  • BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (SI-L) (NSL)
  • BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (SI-L) (NSL)
  • BIOL2123 Genetics
    BIOL2131 Biochemistry 
  • BIOL2301 Experimental Biology 
  • BIOL4160 Seminar 
  • BIOL 4194/4195 Research Internship in Biotechnology OR INT 3211 Experiential Internship in Biotechnology 
  • CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I AND CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II  OR CHEM1103 Chemical Perspectives 
  • CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

Electives:

In addition to the core Biology courses, students must take the following biotechnology–relevant classes:

  • BIOL 2303 Biotechnology Applications
  • BIOL 3103 Cell Biology with Lab 
  • BIOL 3127 Microbiology with Lab (Prerequisite; BIOL2301, or permission of the instructor)
  • MGMT 1101 Introduction to Business
  • MGMT 2301 Legal Environment of Business
  • MGMT 2307 Organizational Behavior

Learning Goals & Outcomes

Upon completion of the Biotechnology program:

  1. Students will be well trained in the laboratory applications and methods required to carry out biotechnology research. They should be able to assess the relevant scientific literature and apply their assessment to research that has the potential to be commercialized.
  2. Students will additionally understand basic principles of organizational behavior and management. They should understand the legal basics of management, and possess a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of business strategy. They should be able to develop plans and approaches to commercialize the outcomes of scientific research.
  3. Finally, Emmanuel College graduates are expected to approach their profession ethically and with a consideration of how their activities can contribute to equity and social justice.

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