Biology, Biotechnology Concentration, B.S.

Overview

The Biology Department is at the forefront of biotechnology, offering students an opportunity to study the technologies and products that improve our lives and the health of our planet. Students who are interested in biotechnology can prepare for careers in combating disease, reducing our environmental footprint, feeding the hungry, creating clean energy and more of society’s most pressing challenges.

Life Sciences forecast for Massachusetts Biotechnology sector: 2023 and beyond

  • 12,000 new jobs are forecast to be created between May 2017 and May 2023.
  • 83% of life sciences companies reported plans to expand their headcount in the next 12 months
  • Skills and knowledge learned align with those desired by Massachusetts biotechnology companies

Data from MassBioEd

  • 12,000+

    New Jobs Forecasted

  • INTERNSHIP

    REQUIRED

Requirements

Program Description

The Biotechnology concentration prepares students for the biotechnology workforce, a strong, growing industry in the region. The program was developed as a result of a needs assessment and in consultation with the Westfield State University Biotechnology Advisory Committee, consisting of 2-year and 4-year faculty, students, and biotechnology industry professionals.

Requirements for the Biotechnology Concentration - 61 - 63 Credits-

General Education and Common Core Courses

BIOL 0102 - Environmental Biology for a Changing World, BIOL 0104 - Human Biology, and BIOL 0106 - Practical Biology for the World Today each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements, however they DO NOT satisfy requirements for the Biology Major and should not be taken by students within the major. MATH 0105 - Calculus I and MATH 0108 - Elementary Statistics  each satisfy General Education and Common Core requirements. BIOL 0237- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 0278 - Biostatistics each satisfy Common Core requirements, but do not satisfy General Education requirements. Courses should be selected with guidance from faculty advisor.

Introductory Sequence

Math Requirement

Students must choose two courses from the following:

Chemistry

Required Biology Courses

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate a comprehension of the following core concepts from the molecular to ecosystem level:

  • Evolution: Change over time and mechanisms involved
  • Structure and function: How the shape of something affects performance
  • Energy transformation: Energy capture, use and transfer
  • Information flow: Transmission and interpretation of biological information
  • Systems: Interaction and organization of components
Biology student at a microscope

Internship/Job Shadow Opportunities

The Biotechnology Concentration requires an internship. Potential internship sites are available through the Massachusetts Life Center Internship Challenge including these additional internship sites:

  • Microbiotix, Inc.
  • Cellmosaic
  • Celltreat Scientific Products
  • Iomics Intelligent Analytics

Baystate Hospital has served as a previous internship site.

Still have questions?

Biology Department, Chair
David Christensen, Ph.D.
dchristensen@westfield.ma.edu

Kristen Porter, Ph.D.
kporter@westfield.ma.edu