Fayetteville State University
Department: Natural Sciences
Program: Biotechnology
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
BTCH 210 (3-3-0) Introduction to
Biotechnology: An introduction to the
fundamentals of biotechnology and career
options emphasizing the types of biotechnology
workplaces and their unique requirements. The
course includes a study of the use of
mathematics, principles of instrumentation used,
and analysis of measurements, solutions,
centrifugation, spectrophotometry,
chromatography, and electrophoresis. The
importance of laboratory safety and precision
will also be stressed.
BTCH 220 (3-0-3) Biotechniques I: A
laboratory course in basic biotechnology theory,
skills, and applications. Includes
spectrophotometry, gel filtration
chromatography, gel electrophoreses, DNA
isolation, Restriction enzyme digestion, genetic
engineering, DNA fingerprinting, Southern and
Western blot analysis.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 Or CHEM 160
Course Objectives
Artifacts/Evidence
BTCH 230 (3-0-3) Biotechniques II: A
laboratory course teaching biotechnology
theory, skills, and applications. Includes DNA
sequencing, PCR, immunology, cell culture,
separation technology, principles of
fermentation technology, basic aptitudes for the
biotechnology industry.
Prerequisite: BTCH 420
BTCH 310 (3-3-0) Immunology: Examines the
components of the immune systems, immune
responses, immune effectors, and immune
diseases. Methods used in experimental studies
of immunology are also introduced.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 (may be taken
concurrently)
BTCH 320 (3-3-0) NanoBiotechnology: This
introductory course is designed to explore
applications of nanotechnology to
biotechnology. Nanotechnology deals with
materials and devices that are or have structures
of a size between 1 to 100 nm. Students will be
introduced with the nano-based labeling
technologies, fabrication strategies, nanofoods
and nanotoxicology. Design and working of the
nanodevices will also be discussed for
applications in therpeutics, agriculture, food and
diagnostic areas. A thorough understanding of
DNA proteins, carbohydrates and lipid
molecules is expected of the students.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200
BTCH 340 (3-2-2) Toxicology: Introduces the
principles of toxicology. This course covers
general concepts underlying the absorption,
distribution, metabolism, action, and excretion
of xenobiotics and the consequences to
biological systems following exposure of
toxicants, particularly the relevance to human
health.
Prerequisite: CHEM 140 And CHEM 160
BTCH 350 (3-3-0) Advanced Biomolecular
Science: A seminar course which discusses
pioneering and cutting edge research in
molecular biology, cell biology, and
developmental biology. Students will also be
introduced to basic tools of biomolecular
science.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 And CHEM 140
BTCH 360 (3-2-2) Molecular Genetics: A
study of the molecular definition of genes, gene
sets, and gene expressions, with applications of
gene functions to health, disease, and molecular
evolution. Methods of gene analysis are studied
with special reference to the human genome
project and current genomic research.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200
BTCH 410 (3-3-0) Biotechology Seminar:
Discusses current topics and current research in
biotechnology. Also includes review of the
requirements and ethics of the biotechnology
workplace and laboratory. Presentations will be
required.
BTCH 425 (3-3-0) Bioinformatics: Introduces
bioinformatics using computational methods to
analyze and help interpret the content of large
volumes of biological data generated by genome
sequencing, DNA micro-arrays, proteomics,
metabolites and metabolic fluxes. The
computational methods used in this course
include analysis of sequences, gene clustering,
and pattern recognition/discovery in large scale
expression data. Application of bioinformatics
to drug design, and biotechnology will be
discussed.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 And (CHEM 220 Or
CHEM 221)
BTCH 430 (3-3-0) Biotechniques II: A
laboratory course teaching biotechnology
theory, skills, and applications. Includes DNA
sequencing, PCR, immunology, cell culture,
separation technology, principles of
fermentation technology, basic aptitudes for the
biotechnology industry.
Prerequisite: BTCH 420
BTCH 435 (3-2-2) Plant Biotechnology: This
course provides an introduction to the theory,
application, and techniques that are involved in
plant cells and tissues and in the micropropagation process. The course will also focus
on the use of techniques in molecular biology in
the study, development, and improvement of
various plant species.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 Or BTCH 230
BTCH 440 (3-0-3) Tissue Culture and
Hybridoma: A laboratory course which teaches
techniques for the establishment, assay, and
maintenance of a variety of types of cells, tissue
and hybridoma cultures.
Prerequisite: BIOL 200 Or BTCH 430
BTCH 450 (3-3-0) Problems in
Biotechnology: A course designed to give
students interactive exposure to and experience
in biotechnology environments. Credit may be
earned (with instructor approval) through one or
more of the following: internships or
cooperative experiences in biotechnology
related sites, research project studying a
biotechnology problem/question, research paper
on a controversial biotechnology issue or
procedure, or approved online or on-site course
from on-site bio-works/biotechnology
workplace programs. The course will also
include a seminar sequence on workplace issues
and ethics supported by on-site interview.