California State University San Marcos

The Biotechnology major is housed in the Biological Sciences Department. Biotechnology refers to the long practiced skill of applying our knowledge of the molecular basis of life processes for the benefit of society. While classic examples of biotechnology include using bacteria and enzymes to produce cheeses and using yeast to make bread and beer, modern applications exploit DNA-based technologies such as immunology, biochemistry, and microbiology to make new products or provide services to improve health care, agriculture, food, and the environment. Over the past 40 years, biotechnology has caused a profound revolution in science and has had significant technological and social implications.

Today, pharmaceuticals and vaccines are being designed through biotechnology to treat various cancers, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, obesity, and other conditions. Biotechnology is responsible for hundreds of medical diagnostic tests that keep the blood supply safe from the AIDS virus and detect other conditions early enough to be successfully treated. Home pregnancy tests are also biotechnology diagnostic products. Food and agriculture biotechnology has resulted in the development of crops that are naturally resistant to pests and viruses; more tolerant of environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme cold; and more nutritious and longer lasting than their conventional counterparts. Environmental biotechnology products make it possible to more efficiently clean up hazardous waste without the use of caustic chemicals.

The Biotechnology curriculum comprises courses selected from the curricula of the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and the College of Business Administration. The core curriculum provides students with a solid foundation in molecular biosciences and biochemistry. It also introduces students to the applied technologies of fields such as molecular genetics/recombinant DNA technology, immunology/cell culture-hybridoma technology, biochemistry/protein purification methods, and DNA sequencing/computational biology.

Students are also exposed to fundamental business management and marketing theory as part of the core, and will develop skills and aptitudes important for success in the business arena. These include written and oral communication, problem solving, teamwork, leadership, flexibility, negotiation, and regulatory documentation. Since biotechnology-related industries are varied, the degree provides technical background and experience that can be applied across the diverse disciplines within the field, enabling students to adapt to their employment situation as it evolves or to move between the various biotechnology-related industries. The curriculum is meant to provide graduates with the knowledge and training needed to earn entry-level positions not only in research and development, but also in areas such as technical services, sales, marketing, management, operations, regulatory affairs, technical writing, quality control, and quality assurance.

Students in the Biotechnology degree program will have access to modern well-equipped laboratories and will gain experience using state-of-the-art instrumentation. The academic environment is enriched by a close faculty/student interaction and by the possibility of internship positions with biotechnology companies. Internship employment with a biotechnology company provides a valuable, real world, career-sampling experience. Student  research opportunities are also available in faculty laboratories and provide valuable training that will enable students to gain rewarding employment thereafter.