4 + 1 Combined Undergraduate Program in Biology/Graduate Program in Biotechnology. Undergraduate students majoring in Biology at USF have the option to earn the PSM in Biotechnology in addition to the BS in Biology.
The combined BS/PSM program can be completed in five years. Students electing this option must complete all requirements for both the BS in Biology and PSM in Biotechnology. Requirements for the Biology BS must be completed by the end of the fourth year at USF, after which time students will be awarded the BS and advance to graduate student status. Coursework completed prior to the end of the fourth year may be applied to requirements for the PSM degree; however, no more than 12 credits of Biology coursework used to satisfy requirements for the BS in Biology may also be applied the PSM in Biotechnology. Students can apply for the combined BS/PSM program during Fall Semester of their third year at USF, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Biology major to be eligible for the program. This is a terminal degree for those who want to go straight into an industry position (not for the Ph.D. or medical school track).
Degree Requirements
Students in the combined BS/MPS program must complete all requirements for both the BS in Biology and PSM in Biotechnology (click on the links below for degree requirements). Students must complete requirements for the BS by the end of the fourth year, after which they will be awarded the BS in Biology and advance to graduate status. Up to 14 credits of Biology coursework applied to the BS may also apply to the PSM. It is recommended that students complete Molecular Biology, BIOL 485/486-Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology/Lab, and an Upper Division Biotech Elective. Students may apply these courses toward the BS degree and MSP degree. At least 23 credits of credit toward the PSM degree must be earned after the student is awarded the BS in Biology.
Sample Curriculum
Below is a sample program of study for students in the combined BS in Biology/PSM in Biotechnology program. Some courses in the programs can also be taken during summer sessions at USF.
Fall Year 1 (16 credits):
BIOL 105-General Biology I
CHEM 111-General Chemistry I
RHET 110-Written Communication I
RHET 103-Public Speaking
Fall Year 2 (16 credits):
BIOL 212-Cell Physiology
CHEM 230/232-Organic Chemistry I/Lab
CORE
LANGUAGE
Fall Year 3 (16 credits):
BIOL Elective/Lab* (from PSM elective list)
PHYS 100-Intro Physics I
CORE
CORE
Fall Year 4 (16 credits):
BIOL 414-Evolution
BIOL 420-Molecular Biology
CORE
General Electives (4 credits)
Fall Year 5 (10 credits):
MSIS 664-Global Biotechnology
MSIS 662-Information of Biotech
BIOL 688-Advanced Research Methods
BIOL 600-Molecular Biology Seminar Spring Year 1 (16 credits):
BIOL 106-General Biology II
CHEM 113-General Chemistry II
RHET 220-Written Communication II
MATH 102-Biostatistics
Spring Year 2 (16 credits):
BIOL 310-Genetics
CHEM 231-Organic Chemistry II
CORE
LANGUAGE
Spring Year 3 (16 credits):
BIOL Field Course
Upper Division Elective
PHYS 101-Intro Physics II
CORE
Spring Year 4 (16 credits):
BIOL 485/486-Molec Gen Biotech/Lab
Upper Division Elective
CORE
MSIS 661-Local & National Biotech*
General Electives (2 credits)
Spring Year 5 (9 credits):
CS 686-Bioinformatics
MBA 6103-Leadership & Organization
MSIS 663 Legal, Social & Ethical Implications
BIOL 697-Internship in Biotechnology
*Course fulfills requirement for BS in Biology and PSM in Biotechnology
Course Descriptions
Descriptions of courses in the BS in Biology and PSM in Biotechnology programs can be found at the links below.
