Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience Bachelor of Science Degree
In RIT’s biotechnology bachelor’s degree you’ll develop technologies for genetics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, vaccine development, energy/ environment, forensics, and more.
$1M+
Equipment in Genomics Lab
Overview for Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience BS
Why Study Biotechnology at RIT
Hands on Experience: Sequence and annotate whole genomes of a variety of organisms using the Illumina MiSeq in the Genomics Lab.
Lab Experience: 70% of the biotechnology and molecular bioscience elective courses have a hands-on laboratory component.
Gain Real-World Experience: Conduct undergraduate research, complete a cooperative education or internship, or study abroad.
Engaging Community: Develop leadership, networking, and communication skills and engage in professional and outreach activities through the Biotechnology Club.
Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising Program: Receive personalized guidance to become a competitive candidate for admission to medical schools and graduate programs in the health professions.
Jobs at Industry Leading Companies: Recent biotechnology graduates are employed at organizations such as Pfizer, Inc., Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Merck & Co., Johns Hopkins Medicine, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Available: Earn both your bachelor’s and your master’s in less time and with a cost savings, giving you a competitive advantage in your field.
STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
In RIT’s biotechnology and molecular biology degree you’ll improve human health by harnessing technology advancements and biomolecular processes to research and develop technologies in genetics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and vaccine development, environment and energy, forensic science, genetic counseling, and more.
Curriculum for RIT’s Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
This comprehensive biotechnology bachelor’s degree prepares you to immediately assume challenging positions in research, development, and management in fields as dynamic and diverse as:
- plant biotechnology
- human genetics
- agriculture
- food products
- pharmaceuticals and vaccine development
- environment and energy
- forensic science
- genetic counseling
Building on a core of biology, chemistry, math, and the liberal arts, the courses in the bachelor of science in biotechnology are taught from a molecular bioscience perspective with a focus on the central genetic dogma of molecular biology. The curriculum explores the rapidly expanding field of genetic engineering, and the nearly unlimited potential that controlled genetic experiments hold for improving the quality of life. Specialized areas of emphasis include:
- Recombinant DNA
- Microbial and plant genetic engineering
- Mammalian and plant tissue culture
- Monoclonal antibody production and purification
- Large-scale fermentation techniques (bacterial and mammalian cell)
- Methods for characterization and separation of proteins and nucleic acids in yeast, bacterial, viral, and plant systems
As a student enrolled in the biotechnology bachelor’s degree at RIT, you’ll be exposed to dynamic professors who are leaders in their fields both in the classroom and in the laboratory. The opportunity to participate in meaningful, faculty-sponsored undergraduate research projects prepares you to gain valuable experience for full-time employment or to pursue graduate study.
Furthering Your Education in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience
Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
Today’s careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT’s Combined Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
- Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience BS/Bioinformatics MS:
Combine your BS degree in biotechnology and molecular bioscience with an MS in bioinformatics to become a leading professional in utilizing big data and machine learning to tackle complex biological problems. Establish a strong background in the latest technology and techniques used in the biotech fields of genetics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, and more. The addition of a bioinformatics master’s degree provides the computational training and customized research experience to help you stand out in the job market. The blend of biotechnology and computational skills will make you uniquely prepared for high-paying careers in cutting-edge industries. - +1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to enroll in the +1 MBA program by adding an MBA to their bachelor’s degree after their first year of study.
Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising
RIT’s Office of Pre-Health Advising offers an advising program that’s open to all majors and provides personal, individualized academic counseling to help you create a comprehensive long-term strategy to assist you in building successful applications to medical, dental, and veterinary schools or graduate degrees in the health professions (e.g., occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.). Our pre-health advisors will have in-depth conversations with you around critical topics that include academic planning and course selection, MCAT and other admission exams, undergraduate research opportunities, clinical experiences and field work, timelines, and much more. Learn more about pre-med/pre-health advising.
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Meet us on campus
Learn about academics, co-op and internships, financial aid, and more at one of our on-campus open house on November 8.
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Apply for Fall 2026
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles
| Associate Scientist | Molecular Technician | Laboratory Technician |
| Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician | Plant and Microbial Genetics Researcher | Scientist |
| Analyst | Cytogenetics Lab Medical Technician | Research Associate |
Industries
Research Internships
Research internships, offered both on and off-campus, take place during the summer. RIT offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in research, including three on-campus summer programs: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), and the Summer Undergraduate Research Programs (SURP). Many students participate in undergraduate research for course credit during the academic year.
Cooperative Education
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Science co-ops include a range of hands-on experiences, from co-ops and internships and work in labs to undergraduate research and clinical experience in health care settings. These opportunities provide the hands-on experience that enables you to apply your scientific, math, and health care knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
Featured Work and Profiles
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RIT Co-op Experience Paves Way for Thriving Pharmaceutical Career
Sayali Kadam ’10 turned co-op experiences into a thriving career at Merck! Now Director of Launch Strategy and Operations, she credits RIT's hands-on learning for her success.
Read More about RIT Co-op Experience Paves Way for Thriving Pharmaceutical Career -
From RIT Labs to Life-Saving Cancer Research at AstraZeneca
Dylan Weil ‘15 utilizes his RIT biotechnology lab skills to conduct life-saving cancer immunotherapy research at AstraZeneca.
Read More about From RIT Labs to Life-Saving Cancer Research at AstraZeneca -
Grad's Experience Leads to Career in Gene Therapy Research
Allison Keeler has turned her lifelong interest in science into a career in medical research. She is now the lead researcher in the Keeler Lab at the Horae Gene Therapy Center.
Read More about Grad's Experience Leads to Career in Gene Therapy Research -
Biotechnology, Diversity, and Inspiration to Pursue a Lifelong Dream
Tandy Arenas-Bertol '14 (biotechnology) As she pursued her lifelong dream of working in the field of science, Tandy Arenas-Bertol ’14 found herself immersed in diversity and inspiration at RIT while pursuing her biotechnology degree.
Read More about Biotechnology, Diversity, and Inspiration to Pursue a Lifelong Dream -
Tackling Real-World Issues with Biotechnology Research
Sydney Purcell (biotechnology) Sydney Purcell is conducting real-world research in the Viral Genetics Lab at RIT alongside Dr. Maureen Ferran, whose work centers on using viral genetics to create cutting-edge cancer treatments.
Read More about Tackling Real-World Issues with Biotechnology Research -
Biotechnology: Lab-based Biology at a Cellular and Molecular Level
Katherine Varandas ’10 (biotechnology) Katherine Varandas ’10 wanted a biology major to prepare her for a job. RIT’s biotechnology program provided hands-on lab experiences that led her to a career in academic research.
Read More about Biotechnology: Lab-based Biology at a Cellular and Molecular Level
Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience BS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience BS
The curriculum below outlines the typical course sequence(s) for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL-123 | Introduction to Biology: Organisms and Ecosystems | 3 |
| BIOL-125 | Introduction to Biology Laboratory: Organisms and Ecosystems | 1 |
| CHMG-141 | General & Analytical Chemistry I (fulfills General Education: Natural Science Inquiry Perspective) | 3 |
| CHMG-145 | General & Analytical Chemistry I Lab (fulfills General Education: Natural Science Inquiry Perspective) | 1 |
| General Education: Artistic Perspective | 3 | |
| General Education: Social Perspective | 3 | |
| YOPS-10 | RIT 365: RIT Connections | 0 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL-124 | Introduction to Biology: Molecules and Cells | 3 |
| BIOL-126 | Introduction to Biology Laboratory: Molecules and Cells | 1 |
| CHMG-142 | General & Analytical Chemistry II (fulfills General Education: Scientific Principles Perspective) | 3 |
| CHMG-146 | General & Analytical Chemistry II Lab (fulfills General Education: Scientific Principles Perspective) | 1 |
| MATH-161 | Applied Calculus (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective A) | 4 |
| General Education: First Year Writing (WI) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL-206 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-216 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| CHMO-231 | Organic Chemistry I (General Education: Elective) | 3 |
| CHMO-235 | Organic Chemistry Lab I (General Education: Elective) | 1 |
| STAT-145 | Introduction to Statistics I (fulfills General Education: Mathematical Perspective B) | 3 |
| General Education: Ethical Perspective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL-302 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-311 | Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL-315 | Tissue Culture Laboratory | 1 |
| CHMO-232 | Organic Chemistry II (General Education: Elective) | 3 |
| CHMO-236 | Organic Chemistry Lab II (General Education: Elective) | 1 |
| General Education: Global Perspective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| BIOL-499 | Biology Co-op 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL-321 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL-327 | Fundamental Bioinformatics Analysis | 3 |
| CHMB-402 | Biochemistry I (General Education: Elective) | 3 |
| Program Elective 1 2 | 4 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Program Elective 2 2 | 4 | |
| Program Elective 3 (WI-PR) 2 | 4 | |
| Program Elective 4 2 | 4 | |
| General Education: Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Program Elective 5 2 | 4 | |
| Program Elective 6 2 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 7 2 | 3 | |
| General Education: Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL-500 | Experiential Learning Requirement in Life Science | 0 |
| Program Elective 8 2 | 4 | |
| General Education: Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| General Education: Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Notes:
- All students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are also required to complete two different Wellness courses.
Footnotes:
- 1
BIOL-499 Biology Co-op is only required for Co-op track students.
- 2
Students must select a minimum of 30 credits of program electives from List A below, of which 21 credits must be lab electives (List B).
Program Electives
Minimum requirement of 30 credits of program electives (List A) of which 21 credits must be lab electives (List B). A maximum of 6 credits of BIOL-495 Advanced Biology Research may count for lab elective credit. A maximum of 6 credits of BIOL-495 Advanced Biology Research and BIOL-498 Advanced Biology Independent Study combined may count for program elective credit.
List A: All Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience Program Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL-220 | Biology of Fungi and Insects | 3 |
| BIOL-230 | Bioinformatics Languages | 3 |
| BIOL-231 | Introduction to Bioinformatics Programming | 3 |
| BIOL-265 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| BIOL-265R | Evolutionary Biology Recitation (WI-PR) | 1 |
| BIOL-305 | Plants, Medicine and Technology | 4 |
| BIOL-313 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL-322 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-335 | Phage Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-340 | Genomics (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-345 | Molecular Ecology (WI-PR) | 3 |
| BIOL-365 | Introduction to Population Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL-372 | Biology Without Walls | 4 |
| BIOL-375 | Advanced Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL-401 | Biological Separations: Principles and Practices | 4 |
| BIOL-403 | Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry and Pathology | 4 |
| BIOL-404 | Microbiology of Fermentation | 3 |
| BIOL-408 | Biology of Cancer (WI-PR) | 3 |
| BIOL-412 | Human Genetics (WI-PR) | 3 |
| BIOL-414 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| BIOL-415 | Virology | 3 |
| BIOL-416 | Plant Biotechnology | 4 |
| BIOL-418 | Plant Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-420 | Bacterial-Host Interactions: Microbiomes of the World | 3 |
| BIOL-427 | Microbial and Viral Genetics (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-428 | Eukaryotic Gene Regulation and Disease | 3 |
| BIOL-441 | Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-460 | Infectious Disease: Impact on Society and Culture | 3 |
| BIOL-495 | Advanced Biology Research | 1-4 |
| BIOL-498 | Advanced Biology Independent Study | 1-4 |
| BIOL-530 | Bioinformatics Algorithms | 3 |
| BIOL-536 | Seminar in Life Sciences | 1 |
| BIOL-540 | Environmental Genomics | 4 |
| BIOL-550 | High Throughput Sequencing Analysis (WI-PR) | 3 |
| BIOL-576 | Environmental Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL-594 | Molecular Modeling and Proteomics | 3 |
| BIOL-599 | Research Based Writing (WI-PR) | 2 |
| BIOL-601 | Genetic Diseases and Disorders | 3 |
| BIOL-625 | Ethics in Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIOL-694 | Molecular Modeling and Proteomics | 3 |
| CHMA-650 | Chemical Separations and Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| MEDS-313 | Introduction to Infectious Diseases | 3 |
| MEDS-530 | Human Immunology | 3 |
List B: Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience Program Lab Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL-313 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL-322 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-335 | Phage Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-340 | Genomics (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-372 | Biology Without Walls | 4 |
| BIOL-375 | Advanced Immunology | 4 |
| BIOL-401 | Biological Separations: Principles and Practices | 4 |
| BIOL-403 | Fundamentals of Plant Biochemistry and Pathology | 4 |
| BIOL-404 | Microbiology of Fermentation | 3 |
| BIOL-416 | Plant Biotechnology | 4 |
| BIOL-418 | Plant Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL-427 | Microbial and Viral Genetics (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-441 | Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology (WI-PR) | 4 |
| BIOL-495 | Advanced Biology Research | 1-4 |
| BIOL-550 | High Throughput Sequencing Analysis (WI-PR) | 3 |
| BIOL-576 | Environmental Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL-594 | Molecular Modeling and Proteomics | 3 |
| BIOL-694 | Molecular Modeling and Proteomics | 3 |
| CHMA-650 | Chemical Separations and Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| CHMB-405 | Biochemistry Lab (WI-PR) | 3 |
Admissions and Financial Aid
This program is STEM designated when studying on campus and full time.
First-Year Admission
First-year applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong academic background that includes:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of social studies and/or history
- 3 years of mathematics is required and must include algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry. Pre-calculus is recommended.
- 2-3 years of science is required and must include biology and chemistry.
Transfer Admission
Transfer applicants should meet these minimum degree-specific requirements:
- A minimum of college algebra is required. Pre-calculus or calculus is preferred.
- Chemistry and biology are required.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Research
Real-World Experiences Through Biotechnology Research
Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged for biotech majors. It can begin as early as your first year. Participation in undergraduate research leads to the development of real-world lab techniques, enhanced problem-solving skills, and broader career opportunities. Our students have opportunities to travel to national conferences for presentations and also become contributing authors on peer-reviewed manuscripts. Explore the variety of life science undergraduate research happening at RIT.
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Contact
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences