CATALOG • 2009-2010
Genetic Engineering – Major
The genetic engineering
major is offered through the Department of Biological Sciences where
state-of-the-art laboratories allow students to experience biotechnology
first-hand. Genetic engineering students develop a basic understanding of
molecular genetics as they explore the technology that has led us to recent
advances in the field and discover how molecular biology impacts various
other fields such as oncology, gene therapy, immunology, medical genetics,
etc. All coursework and laboratories emphasize reading, questioning,
analyzing, and evaluating assumptions along with development in technical
writing and oral presentation skills. Students are exposed to original
research during their freshman year as they work as members of research
teams in a professor’s ongoing research program. The capstone
experience is the development of a proposal to conduct an independent
research project in a professor's lab. As part of the thesis option for the
degree, students may choose to carry out this project during their senior
year (see below). Graduates from the genetic engineering program are
prepared for (1)immediate employment as a research technician in an
industrial or academic setting, (2) admission to graduate school, or (3)
admission to a professional school.
The Coursework Component
Training the students in the basics of molecular
genetics involves lecture, laboratory, and techniques courses that strive
to accomplish the following:
• Expose students to primary literature so they
can gain an understanding of current research in the field of
molecular genetics
• Develop the students’ ability to give
scientific presentations and clearly communicate with other scientists
• Give students experience with high-tech
equipment including confocal microscopes and automated sequencers.
• Challenge students to think about the impact
that current research in the field of molecular genetics has on society
health issues and world politics.
The Research Training Component
Training students in the skills of independent research
is accomplished by three mechanisms:
• Independent work outside the scheduled course
time in upper-level laboratory courses
• An on-campus, year-long research project that
fulfills the thesis option for the major
• An off-campus research internship in a
university or industrial laboratory for eligible* students.
*Successful placement is dependent upon the
student’s academic performance and the selection criteria of the
university or biotechnology company. Final decisions
are made by the university or company to which the student applies. Cedar
Crest College cannot guarantee a position.
Grade Requirements
In addition to a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade-point
average, genetic engineering students must have a minimum average of 2.0 in the major. A grade of C- or
better is needed for all courses that fulfill major requirements. Students must earn a grade of C- or
better in prerequisite courses before proceeding to subsequent courses.
Courses transferred in for all majors must be taken less than ten years
ago.
Thesis Option
All students, particularly those who are interested in
attending graduate school or obtaining a research-based job following
graduation, are highly encouraged to participate in independent research,
which may culminate in a thesis. The thesis option begins during the
student’s junior year, as part of Junior Colloquium (BIO 350). As
part of their capstone project, all students who select a major from the
Department of Biological Sciences are required to develop a research
proposal to investigate an original research question. This experience
allows the students to go beyond the basic course information, select a
problem that interests them, and apply what they have learned in their
coursework to a novel situation. As part of the thesis option, students
will spend a minimum of two semesters working with a faculty member to
conduct the research outlined in their proposal. They will then develop a
written thesis detailing their project, and present their final project to
the department in the form of a seminar talk or poster.
The title of a student’s thesis will appear on
her transcript will appear on her transcript if she completes two semesters (4 credits) of Independent Research (BIO 353)
and one semester (1 credit) of Senior Thesis and Presentation (BIO 354) with grades of C- or better.
Required Courses for the Genetic Engineering
Major:
BIO 121 Principles of Biology I 4 credits
BIO 122 Principles of Biology II 4 credits
BIO 235 Ecology, Evolution and Genetics 4 credits
BIO 236 Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
Students who have previously taken BIO 222 or 231
should consult their advisors or the department website to
determine the courses needed to complete the major.
BIO 335 Molecular Genetics I 4 credits
BIO 336 Molecular Genetics II 4 credits
BIO 345 Advanced Recombinant DNA 3 credits
BIO 350 Junior Colloquium 2 credits
BIO 355 Biological Sciences Seminar 2 credits
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I 4 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
MAT 141 Calculus I 4 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 4 credits
Elective Courses (three courses, two must
contain a lab):
BIO 227 Microbiology 4 credits
BIO 332 Developmental Biology 4 credits
BIO 333 Advanced Bioinformatics 3 credits
NEU 348 Diseases of the Nervous System 4 credits
BIO 327 Microbial Pathogenesis 4 credits
BIO 36x Biology of Cancer 4 credits
CHE 308 Biochemistry II 3 credits
CHE 348 Forensic Molecular Biology 4 credits
Techniques Courses (two courses):
BIO 343 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 1.5 credits
BIO 344 DNA Sequencing 1.5 credits
BIO 347 Microscopy and Image Analysis 1.5 credits
BIO 349 Protein Purification and Analysis 1.5 credits
Transfer students must take the following courses
at Cedar Crest College:
BIO 335 Molecular Genetics I 4 credits
BIO 336 Molecular Genetics II 4 credits
BIO 345 Advanced Recombinant DNA 3 credits
BIO 350 Junior Colloquium 2 credits
BIO 351 Biological Sciences Seminar 2 credits
Two Techniques Courses (see list above) 3 credits
Other Minors and Majors
A concentration in Forensic Science is an option for
Genetic Engineering majors. All students in the Forensic Science
concentration must take the four core forensic courses (CHE 241, CHE 347,
CHE 348, and CHE 361). Additional courses that are not already required for
the Genetic Engineering major are Biostatistics (BIO 248) and Instrumental
Analysis (CHE 302), Advanced Mendelian and Population Genetics (BIO 313),
and Ethics (PHI 200). In addition, there is a research requirement for the
Forensic Science concentration. By completing the Thesis Option, as
described above, Genetic Engineering students will satisfy this
requirement. Please refer to the Forensic Science section of the catalog
for details.
Genetic Engineering majors commonly minor in chemistry.
This requires one additional chemistry course (CHE 331). By fulfilling all
of the other requirements for a major in Genetic Engineering (i.e.: C- or
better in all courses), students will meet the remaining requirements for
the chemistry minor. Please refer to the Chemistry section of the catalog
for details.
A Genetic Engineering major is not allowed to complete
a second major in Biology, nor may she minor in Biology.
