B.S. in Biotechnology

A student inside of a lab wearing a white coat, and blood vials in front of her.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology uses laboratory and computational methods to develop products and technologies in medicine, agriculture, energy, and the environment. Students build a foundation in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, chemistry, and computational biology, then specialize in Bioprocessing, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biotechnology, or Plant and Animal Biotechnology, and complete a writing-intensive Capstone in Biotechnology.

Only Fort Worth offers the Bioprocessing concentration. It follows a biologic product from cells in a bioreactor through harvest and purification, with each step documented to entry-level Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

Program Benefits

  • The only undergraduate bioprocessing concentration in North Texas.
  • Internships with regional biomanufacturers, including Fort Worth Diagnostics, a cGMP assay manufacturer.
  • Stackable industry-recognized credentials through TRIBEC, a statewide consortium of 18 institutions.
  • DFW ranks seventh in the nation for life-science and biotechnology employment.
  • Hands-on training in bioreactor operation, downstream purification, and GMP documentation.
  • Undergraduate research including the HHMI SEA-PHAGES and SEA-GENES projects.
  • New laboratory facilities and equipment at both campuses.
  • Affordable public university tuition, with scholarships through a single application.

Courses

The curriculum combines laboratory and computational coursework preparing students for work in biotechnology. Core topics for all biotechnology majors include molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, computational biology, biotechnology research techniques, and biotechnology compliance. Several courses integrate with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute SEA-PHAGES and SEA-GENES programs for bacteriophage discovery and characterization. Each concentration adds specialized coursework, and students can work with an adviser to customize their plan.

Visit the University Catalog

More About the Program

At Fort Worth the program is based at the Chisholm Trail campus, with molecular, microbiology, and bioprocessing lab courses held at the downtown Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus.   Texas is home to more than 5,000 biotechnology manufacturing and research firms. Alcon, founded in Fort Worth in 1945, employs roughly 4,500 people in the city and is among the largest employers in Tarrant County.   The downtown campus is home to the Tarleton State Biotechnology Institute, established with $1.2 million of a $2.1 million National Science Foundation award and administered through Tarleton's Division of Research, Innovation and Economic Development. The Institute focuses on bioinformatics and computational modeling and on cross-disciplinary research spanning agriculture, medicine, energy, and the environment.   Departmental, college, and university scholarships are available through Tarleton's single online application, including the Gregory Nowlin Fort Worth ISD Scholarship for Fort Worth ISD graduates and the Community College Bridge Scholarship for first-time community college transfers.

Offered Concentrations

Learning Outcomes

  • Perform core laboratory techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, and tissue culture, including transformation, selection, and biochemical assays.
  • Apply recombinant DNA methods to manipulate gene expression and protein production.
  • Explain how microbial systems are engineered to produce pharmaceuticals and biofuels.

Career Outcomes

  • Bioprocess or manufacturing associate: operates the production of biologics and other bioproducts under GMP.
  • Downstream processing associate: recovers and purifies biomolecules from production batches.
  • Quality control or quality assurance analyst: performs bioassay, microbiological, and analytical testing and reviews batch records.

Certification and Licensure Preparation

Biotechnology is not a licensed field, and no national or state licensure exam applies.

  • TRIBEC, the Texas Regional Industrial Biomanufacturing Education Credential: three stackable industry-recognized credentials, TRIBEC Core, TRIBEC Laboratory Fundamentals, and TRIBEC Advanced Capstone.
Learn about Certification and Licensure

Admissions Requirements

  • Meet Tarleton State University freshman or transfer admission requirements; no separate departmental application is required.
  • Math placement determines entry point (Precalculus / Calculus I); Calculus I is required for the degree.
  • Transfer applicants: submit official transcripts for credit evaluation. See Tarleton Undergraduate Admissions (https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/).

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

Program Flyer

Discover Biotechnology brochure, Stephenville version (attached). Brochure design is being updated; refer to the advising guides and catalog for current course requirements.
Download Program Flyer (PDF)
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