Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology

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Experience Hands-On Learning for High-Demand Biotech Careers

Eastern Washington University’s Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology is designed to launch you into one of today’s most exciting and rapidly growing industries.

Developed in partnership with leading biotech employers in the Spokane region, this program gives you the real-world experience, skills, and scientific knowledge necessary to excel in the lab and beyond.

You’ll get a solid foundation in core biotechnology concepts and the flexibility to customize your degree through electives in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, business, technical communications, and more.

Whether you aim to enter the workforce immediately or pursue graduate studies, EWU’s biotechnology program prepares you to lead in the future of innovation and discovery.

Request Info Curriculum & Requirements

 

Biotechnology Student Story

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Biotechnology Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)

Required Courses
BIOL 171
& 171L		BIOLOGY I
and BIOLOGY I LAB		5
BIOL 172
& 172L		BIOLOGY II
and BIOLOGY II LAB		5
BIOL 173
& 173L		BIOLOGY III
and BIOLOGY III LAB		5
BIOL 270
& 270L		BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
and BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION LAB		3
BIOL 301
& 301L		MICROBIOLOGY
and MICROBIOLOGY LAB		5
BIOL 310FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETICS5
BIOL 340BIOETHICS2
BIOL 380DATA ANALYSIS FOR BIOLOGISTS5
or MATH 380 ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
BIOL 383BIOTECH INDUSTRY CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES2
BIOL 384BIOTECH INDUSTRY REGULATORY AFFAIRS3
BIOL 385MOLECULAR BIOTECHNIQUES3
BIOL 438MOLECULAR BIOLOGY5
or CHEM 480 BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOL 484TOPICS IN MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY2
BIOL 485MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY5
BIOL 488MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY2
CHEM 171
& 171L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I		5
CHEM 172
& 172L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II		5
CHEM 173
& 173L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III		5
CHEM 304
& 304L		QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
and QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS LAB		6
CHEM 351ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I4
CHEM 352ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II4
CHEM 372ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I3
PHYS 131
& PHYS 161		INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
and MECHANICS LABORATORY		5
PHYS 132
& PHYS 162		INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
and HEAT AND OPTICS LABORATORY		5
Electives20
Up to 5 credits of BIOL 399, BIOL 495, and/or BIOL 499
BOTANY
and BOTANY LAB
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
and VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY LAB
MYCOLOGY
and MYCOLOGY LAB
MEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY
and MEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY LAB
IMMUNOLOGY
VIROLOGY
BIOLOGY OF CANCER
CELL BIOLOGY
HEMATOLOGY
and HEMATOLOGY LAB
SKELETAL BIOLOGY
NEUROBIOLOGY
and NEUROBIOLOGY LAB
WORKPLACE COMMUNICATIONS USING COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS
INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS
and INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS LAB
INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING
CALCULUS I
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS III
and ELECTRONICS LABORATORY I
INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES
Required Senior Capstone
BIOL 490A
& 490AL		BIOTECHNOLOGY CAPSTONE
and BIOTECHNOLOGY CAPSTONE LAB		5
Total Credits124

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015CHEM 100
& 100L		5
MATH 1075MATH 1145MATH 1415
Humanities & Arts BACR 15Social Science BACR 15Global Studies - graduation requirement5
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
BIOL 171
& 171L		5BIOL 172
& 172L		5BIOL 173
& 173L		5
CHEM 171
& 171L		5CHEM 172
& 172L		5BIOL 270
& 270L		3
Diversity - graduation requirement5Humanities & Arts BACR 25BIOL 3402
  CHEM 173
& 173L		5
 15 15 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
BIOL 3105BIOL 301
& 301L		5BIOL 438 or CHEM 4805
CHEM 304
& 304L		6CHEM 3524BIOL 380 or MATH 3805
CHEM 3514Social Science BACR 215CHEM 3723
  Biotechnology Elective25
 15 14 18
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
BIOL 3832BIOL 4855BIOL 3843
BIOL 3853BIOL 4882BIOL 490A
& 490AL		5
BIOL 4842PHYS 132
& PHYS 162		5PHYS 133
& PHYS 163 (Biotechnology Elective)2		5
PHYS 131
& PHYS 161		5Biotechnology Elective25 
Biotechnology Elective25  
 17 17 13
Total Credits 184
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Electives–choose 20 credits from the approved list. Up to 5 credits of BIOL 399, BIOL 495, and/or BIOL 499. 

Why Study at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.

Research Opportunities

Research Opportunities

Lead independent research projects and present your findings at scientific conferences.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Access modern labs and equipment that prepare you for real-world challenges.

Career Connections

Career Connections

Network with industry leaders and alumni thriving in diverse biological sciences fields.

Applied Learning

Applied Learning

Engage in fieldwork, internships, and research projects that bring biology to life.

Explore Our Facilities

Expert Faculty

Expert Faculty

Learn from experienced professors passionate about teaching and research.

Meet Our Faculty

Where Our Graduates Work

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Providence Health & Services
  • Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
"Whether you’re interested in fisheries, looking at plants, soils, or mammalian life evolution, there’s a professor here doing research that would be within your interests." — Rachel Pentico '21
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