Biotechnology
Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
26 Cary Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3005
Phone: 716.829.3630
Fax: 716.829.3601
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/cls
Paul J. Kostyniak
Chair
Kate Rittenhouse-Olson
Program Director
Leah Doherty
Undergraduate Program Advisor
About the Department
The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences was created almost 40 years ago as the Department of Medical Technology. In 2000 the B.S. degree in Biotechnology was approved, and the name of the department was changed to reflect both disciplines. This small program within a large university means more faculty involvement in teaching and more opportunity for interaction with students.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.S. with forensics, graduate/pre-professional, or research/technical emphasis
Graduate: M.S.
About Our Degrees
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 interest and focus. With a core curriculum of basic science and math courses and 6 required program courses, students choose technical electives from anthropology, biology, chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemical pharmacology, legal studies, medical technology, computer science, management, etc., according to their career goals. An internship possibility exists for selected students at various times throughout the program.
Acceptance Criteria
Completion of all prerequisite science and math courses (some exceptions allowed).
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite science and math courses.
Submission of a departmental application and current copy of UB DARS report to the department.
Acceptance Information
Application deadline for fall admission is February 15; deadline for spring admission is November 15. These deadlines may be extended based on space availability. Applications are available at the department office, 26 Cary Hall, South Campus, or online at http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/cls. Students are advised that required program courses are taught only in the fall. The program admits 25-30 full-time students each year; part-time study is also available.
Colleges that have transfer agreements with the Program in Biotechnology include Genesee Community College, Erie Community College, Niagara County Community College, and the Biotechnology A.A.S. degree program at Monroe Community College. Students can obtain required prerequisite courses at most two- and four-year institutions.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
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. Students may enter the biotechnology program in either the spring or fall semesters; however, students should be aware that program courses are taught in the fall semester only. The deadline for fall admission is the previous February 1; deadline for spring admission is the previous November 15. Transfer students should submit their application and official transcripts well in advance of these deadlines. The program accepts students past these deadlines only on a space available basis.
The program in biotechnology has articulation agreements with Erie Community College, Genesee Community College, Niagara County Community College and 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.
About Our Courses
The typical size of lecture classes for required program courses is 50-60 students, with a smaller number in each associated laboratory section. Internships usually have an instructor/student ratio of 1/1.
Teaching assistants (TA's) in required program courses assist professors in laboratory teaching and preparation. Some may present several lectures in their specialty. All teaching assistants are required to have weekly office hours for student assistance.
Suggested introductory courses:
- MT 150 The Human Body in Health and Disease
- MT 201 Medical Terminology
- BIO 200 Evolutionary Biology
- BIO 201 Cell Biology
- CHE 101 – CHE 102 General Chemistry I – II
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Faculty research interests include measurement of oxidative stress, methods evaluation protocols, environmental pollutants and disease outcomes in humans, carbohydrate immunology, cellular and molecular biology of erythropoiesis, and organ and tissue donation. The faculty excels at teaching and has received several student, university, and state-wide teaching awards. The undergraduate advisor schedules individual advising meetings on the South Campus by appointment only.
Special Academic Opportunities
Internships
A technical elective chosen during the program may be MT 495, Internship in Biotechnology. This variable, 1-12 credit, course may be taken more than once. Student selection for the internship is based on prerequisite science and math, program course and technical elective minimum GPAs of 2.8 and an interview with the prospective internship site. Internships are not a guaranteed part of the program.
Research experience
Opportunities to work with faculty on research projects are available to students in the department through MT 499 Independent Study.
Awards
The Wyeth Lederle Vaccines Award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding academic achievement.
Extracurricular Activities
Every fall semester the department hosts an introductory pizza party for all faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. An awards banquet is held in the spring semester to recognize graduating seniors.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
- Biochemical Pharmacology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Foreign language
- Management Science and Systems
Advising Information
Credit is given based on individual advanced placement courses and is now only accepted as Pass credit. Students must have a 4 or 5 on the AP exam for the course to be counted in place of a prerequisite.
Career Information
Opportunities for biotechnologists are extremely varied, and employment is available in both the public and private sectors.
Career choices include:
- Research or Industrial Laboratory
- Laboratory Manager
- Instrument Manufacturers
- Sales or Technical Representative
- Management or regulatory affairs
- Scientific writing or editing
- Graduate school: Scientific specialty, forensics, computer science, business
- Professional school: Medical, dental, chiropractic, optometry, veterinary, physician’s assistant