Molecular Biotechnology Program
This concentration is a joint effort between the Biology Department of the University
of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Medical Technology department of the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The curriculum is designed for students who want to
pursue a research career in molecular biotechnology at the bachelor's level (this
program is not intended as a premedical or pre-professional curriculum). This
concentration will prepare students for technical occupations in basic and applied
molecular biotechnology research and positions with federal and state governmental
agencies and private or commercial enterprises that conduct either basic or applied
research in biotechnology.
The concentration is divided into two levels: a four-semester Pre-Biotechnology
Curriculum that leads to admission to the Molecular Biotechnology Research
Program (MBRP) which is a joint curriculum between UALR and UAMS. Completion of
the Pre-Biotechnology Curriculum and candidacy to the MBRP requires a minimum of
60 hours including Biology 2401, 2402, 2403, and 3300; eight hours of general
chemistry; four hours of organic chemistry; and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students
transferring to UALR who wish to apply to the MBRP may substitute transferring
courses for these requirements with the approval of the Molecular Biotechnology
Research Committee. Admission to the MBRP will be competitive, based on the student's
cumulative GPA, an interview with the Molecular Biotechnology Research Committee, and
two faculty recommendations. Each fall, a maximum of 20 students meeting these
requirements will be admitted to the program. This program of courses is a major-minor
combination; no separate minor field is required. Requirements for this concentration
are as follows:
1. Biological Sciences: A total of 56 hours is required including the following:
A. Biology Core : 23 hours
1400 Evolutionary and Environmental Biology or 1401 Science of Biology
2401 Microbiology
2402 Botany
2403 Zoology
3300 Genetics
3303 Principles of Ecology
4190 Biology Seminar
B. UALR Biotechnology: 8 hours
4417 Molecular Biology
4418 Biotechnology
C. Biology Electives (upper level courses with laboratories): 12 hours
A recommended course list is available from the Biology Department
D. UAMS Biotechnology: 13 hours
3210 Laboratory Principles and Techniques
3211 Introduction to Research
4305 Cell Culture Principles and Techniques
4106 Technology Transfer
4507 Biotechnology Laboratory Internship
2. Physical sciences, Mathematics, and Computation: a total of the following 24 hours:
Chemistry: 12 hours
1400 Fundamental Chemistry I or 1402 General Chemistry I
1401 Fundamental Chemistry II or 1403 General Chemistry II
2450 Organic Chemistry Short Course
B. Physics: 6 hours
1321 Elementary Physics I 1322 Elementary Physics II
C. Mathematics: 3 hours
1302 College Algebra
D. Computer Science: 3 hours
1370 Computer Literacy or equivalent course
Emphasis areas generally have fewer course options than standard majors so it is
strongly suggested that students interested in this program declare a biology major
and seek counseling in the Department of Biology as early as possible. The following
model curriculum depicts a selection and sequence of courses that is strongly recommended.
Recommended Sequence Pre-Biotechnology Curriculum
First Semester Hours
RHET 1311 Composition I 3
MATH 1302 College Algebra 3
BIOL 1401 Science of Biology or BIOL 1400 Evolutionary and Environmental Biology 4
CHEM 1400 or 1402 Chemistry 4
Core Curriculum Course 3 =17 total hours
Second Semester Hours
RHET 1312 Composition II 3
CSCI 1370 Computer Literacy 3
BIOL 2402 Botany 4
CHEM 1401 or 1403 Chemistry 4
Core Curriculum Course 3 =17 total hours
Third Semester Hours
BIOL 2401 Microbiology 4
BIOL 3303 Principles of Ecology 3
CHEM 2450 Organic Chemistry Short Course 4
Core Curriculum Courses 6 =17 total hours
Fourth Semester Hours
PHYS 1321 Elementary Physics I 3
BIOL 2403 Zoology 4
BIOL 3300 Genetics 3
Core Curriculum Courses 6 =16 total hours
Fifth Semester Hours
MET 3210 Laboratory Principles and Techniques 2
MET 3211 Introduction to Research 2
BIOL Upper Level Electives 8
PHYS 1322 Elementary Physics II 3 =15 total hours
Sixth Semester Hours
BIOL 4417 Molecular Biology 4
BIOL 4418 Biotechnology 4
Core Curriculum Courses 3
Unrestricted Electives 6 =17 total hours
Seventh Semester Hours
BIOL Upper Level Electives 4
Upper Level Electives 3
Core Curriculum Courses 6 =13 total hours
Eighth Semester Hours
MET 4305 Cell Culture Principles and Techniques 3
MET 4106 Technology Transfer 1
MET 4507 Biotechnology Laboratory Internship 5
BIOL 4190 Biology Seminar 1
Upper Level Electives 3 =13 total hours
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