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Biotechnology Program (BIT)

Graduate Minor Requirements

Students enrolled in thesis MS and PhD programs can complete a minor in biotechnology with the successful completion of 12 credit hours with at least eight credit hours in selected laboratory core courses

Program Information

The graduate minor in biotechnology is available to graduate MS and PhD students who successfully complete at least eight credit hours in selected laboratory core courses and conduct their graduate thesis research in an area of biotechnology. At least one member of the student’s thesis committee must be a member of the Biotechnology faculty.  Research in biotechnology is focused on three main areas: recombinant DNA technology, bioprocessing/bioanalytical techniques, and in vitro culture techniques. The multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology means that a wide range of research topics and techniques are applicable. For more information contact Dr. Melissa Srougi.

Graduate Biotechnology Minor Requirements

  • BIT 510 (4 credits)*
  • BIT 5XX (2 credits) – any 2-credit BIT laboratory course qualifies
  • BIT 5XX (2 credits) – any 2-credit BIT laboratory course qualifies
  • 4 credits of life science-related courses (lecture or lab, including BIT courses listed below)

Our BIT 5XX (2 credits) advanced courses regularly change and are updated to cover the latest biotechnology techniques. Certain courses listed in the NCSU course catalog may not be offered in the coming semesters while other courses may be added. We recommend reviewing our courses offerings for the current semester when adding courses to your degree audit. Eligible BIT 5XX (2 credits) courses include but are not limited to: 

  • BIT 555: Cancer Drug Discovery and Development
  • BIT 557: Introduction to Biological Electron Microscopy Techniques
  • BIT 558: Directed Evolution
  • BIT 560: CRISPR Technologies
  • BIT 564: Protein Purification
  • BIT 571: RNA Interference and Model Organisms
  • BIT 573: Protein Interactions
  • BIT 582: Virus Biotechnology: Pathogens to Therapeutics
  • BIT 595: Special Topics Biotechnology Module Courses

* Students may place out of BIT 510 if they have had either a similar course as an undergraduate or if they have substantial practical experience and conceptual knowledge of the material covered.  The approval to place out of BIT 510 is made by the Faculty of the Biotechnology Program, in conjunction with consultation with the student’s thesis advisor.  If placing out of BIT 510, the student will instead take two additional 2-credit BIT lab courses.

Graduate students must include the minor in their Plan of Work to be approved by the BIT Director of Graduate Programs, Dr. Melissa Srougi.

Additional Optional Lecture Courses Available to Graduate BIT Minors

  • BIT 811: Professional Development (offered in Fall, even-numbered years) (2 credits)
  • BIT 812: Capstone Biotechnology (offered in Spring, even-numbered years) (3 credits)
  • BIT 813: Research Ethics (offered in Fall, odd-numbered years) (1 credit)
  • BIT 814: Rigor and Reproducibility in Research (offered in Spring, odd-numbered years) (2 credits)