Program Details

The major in Biotechnology is designed to respond to a rapidly growing field in which employers are seeking baccalaureate prepared graduates. This degree also prepares students who seek further education at the graduate level. Students who major in Biotechnology can be employed in both the traditional laboratory setting and a less traditional one such as field work. The expansion of biotechnology into a large variety of sectors allows students to work in vaccine development, plant and crop development, food enhancement, renewable fuels, and numerous other areas. Students who are interested in improving the quality of life will be attracted to this area. Varied employers include those in private and government research laboratories and manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies. Students are prepared through foundational courses in general biology, genetics, cell biology, physiology, and biotechnology. Additional courses in the sciences ensure that students meet the educational demands of a variety of potential employers.

Transfer credit for Biology courses must be taken within the past 10 years.

Did You Know?

Biotechnology is used to produce foods such as bread, yogurt, soy sauce, cheeses, beer and wine, usually by fermentation. Many fruits and vegetables that we know today were produced by crossing two different species; for example, a nectarine is a cross between a plum and a peach.

Biotechnology is also being used to improve traditional foods called functional foods. Examples include golden rice with vitamin A, soybean oils with less saturated fats and more omega 3, plants with more active vitamin E, potatoes with higher protein content, antioxidants in berries, peanuts without the allergenic protein, naturally decaffeinated coffee and edible vaccines.

Many medicines are produced using biotechnology techniques such as Insulin, Codeine, and cancer therapy drugs. Biotechnology is also important for the environment including advances such as crops resistant to insects and pests allowing for less use of pesticides, using bacteria to clean up oil spills and other contaminants, making ethanol from corn (allowing less use of fossil fuels), as well as producing biodegradable plastics in bacteria.

Biotechnology techniques are used to produce gene therapies and to improve upon techniques of forensics.

Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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