Department of Clinical Laboratory Science
School of Health Related Professions
26 Cary Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3005
(716) 829-3630
Fax: (716) 829-3601
Paul J. Kostyniak, Chair of Department
Kate Rittenhouse-Olson, Program Director
Deborah M. Holden, Undergraduate Program Advisor
This program is appropriate for students interested in scientific careers in the rapidly expanding biotechnology industry. Interdisciplinary in approach, students create a curriculum from courses in various departments to suit their interests and focus. With a core curriculum of basic science and math courses and 4 required program courses, students choose selectives from biology, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemical pharmacology, medical technology, computer science, management, etc. according to their career goals. A one semester full-time internship possibility exists for selected students in the last semester. Opportunities for biotechnologists are extremely varied. Employment is available in both the public and private sector, and includes positions in industry, research, regulatory affairs, management, sales, and education. Biotechnology is also an excellent background for those interested in an advanced graduate or professional degree in the sciences.
The program admits twenty-five full-time students each year; part-time study is also available. Students who successfully complete the program receive a bachelor of science degree.
Information regarding biotechnology and admission to the program can be obtained from the undergraduate program advisor. Individual advisement meetings are scheduled on the South Campus by appointment only.
Transfer students must first be accepted by the university and must complete a SUNY Transfer Admission Application from the Office of Admissions and submit official transcripts. Upon university admission, the evaluated transcripts are sent to the program for further review. At this time, the biotechnology program has rolling admission, and students may enter in either the fall or spring semester. However, students should be aware that required program courses are given in the fall semester only.
The program in biotechnology has an articulation agreement with the biotechnology program at Monroe Community College, and prerequisite course equivalencies have been established. Students from other institutions should contact the undergraduate program advisor for prerequisite course equivalencies. Course descriptions and syllabi may be required to establish equivalencies.
Unless articulated, courses from other institutions may not be used to satisfy any upper-division program course requirements.
A selective chosen during the final semester of study may be MT 495 Internship in Biotechnology. This one-semester, full-time co-op experience is offered as a 1-credit contract course. Participants are considered full-time students during this experience. To participate in the co-op program, studentsmust have a minimum GPA of 2.8 in prerequisite science and math courses, as well as in program courses, and must undergo an interview with the prospective co-op site. Students chosen for the co-op experience would have to fulfill the university's general education program and number of hours required for graduation.
Acceptance Criteria
Required Prerequisite Science and Math Course (53 cr)
Required Program Courses (15 cr)
Third Year
5th SEMESTER
MT 302 Instrumental Analysis
MT 401 Clinical Biochemistry
MT 402 Fundamentals of Immunology
6th SEMESTER
Selectives
Fourth Year
7th SEMESTER
MT 422 Biomolecular Technology and Diagnostics
Selectives
8th SEMESTER
Selectives or MT 495 Internship in Biotechnology
Selectives may include but are not limited to:
ANA113 Anatomy (4)
APY248 Human Genetics (3)
BCP302 Introduction to Pharmacology (4)
BIO215 Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry Lab (2)
CHE214 Analytical Chemnistry (3)
CHE215 Analytical Chemistry Lab (2)
CL 151 Medical Terminology (3)
CSE111-112 Great Ideas in Computer Science I-II (4 ea.)
CSE113-114 Introduction to Computer Science I-II (4 ea.)
MCH204 Medicine and the Chemical Sciences (3)
MCH311 Chemistry of Drug Action (3)
MCH403 Mechanisms of Drug Action (3)
MCH412 Instrumental Analysis (4)
MGG150 Business and Society (3)
MT 405 Clinical Immunohematology (3)
MT 407 Clinical Chemistry (6)
MT 409 Clinical Microbiology (5)
MT 411 Clinical Hematology (5)
MT 417 Laboratory Education and Seminar (2)
MT 423 Laboratory Management (1)
MT 425 Histology Techniques (4)
MT 495 Internship in Biotechnology (1)
MTH122 Survey of Calculus and Its Applications II (4)
MTH142 College Calculus II (4)
NMD321 Introduction to Radiocative Material (4)
PHI337 Social and Ethical Values in Medicine (3)
PHY102/152 College Physics II with Lab (5)
PMY451/452 Undergraduate Research (var)
Courses from the School of Management according to area of interest.
Courses in a foreign language according to area of interest.
Courses in the Health-Care Administration Certificate Program offered through MFC, such as:
MFC250 Introduction to Health Care in the United States
MFC352 Quality Management in Health Care
Graduate courses may be taken if the material is beneficial to the student's goals. A formal petition must be filed and prior approval must be granted for the student to use a graduate course for undergraduate credit.