This program developed as a response to student interest and the need for qualified, well-trained graduates in the emerging field of biotechnology, and is one of the first of its kind in Pennsylvania.

It serves the need of northeast Pennsylvania, northwestern New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, where there is an accelerating growth of biotechnology clusters.

This gives the department a chance to be a leader in this field rather than a follower.

The powerful tools of biotechnology have revolutionized medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Applications are broad, and include human health, plant and animal agriculture, and environmental bioremediation. The core courses of this program combine theory and practical training. Techniques such as electrophoresis, ELISA, western blotting, PCR, DNA fingerprinting, cell culture, transformation and monoclonal antibody production will be covered