The cutting-edge tools of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, tissue culture, and biochemistry are transforming the environmental, medical, and agricultural sciences. In the field of biotechnology, these bioscience tools are harnessed to make products and solve problems faced by society. The biotechnology program emphasizes developing a strong foundation in the molecular and biochemical principles underpinning living cells (animals, microbes, and plants). The program combines hands-on laboratory research with courses covering various facets of molecular, cellular, and organismal biosciences (outlined below). The program facilitates excellence in biotechnology education by involving undergraduate students in rich interactions with faculty in both the classroom and research laboratories.
MBB graduates have excellent job prospects upon graduation. Graduates are amply prepared to enter graduate studies in the biological, environmental, medical, and agricultural sciences and are profession-ready for job opportunities in industry (biomedical, health-care diagnostics, pharmaceutical, forensics, agricultural, environmental, and biotechnological) and in governmental research. Students who plan to enter medical, dental, or related professional schools are advised to confer with their faculty adviser to enroll in the proper MBB electives for these programs. With additional courses in education, the BS degree in MBB also qualifies graduates to teach at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The MBBE faculty have a commitment to and passion for teaching, combined with renowned research expertise in their chosen disciplines. The faculty provide independent research experiences for undergraduate students (as MBBE 499), and many have well-funded research programs utilizing state-of-the art equipment and techniques. On-campus research facilities that students can use to enhance their education and research experience include the Biological Electron Microscope Facility; the Greenwood Molecular Biology Facility; and the Center for Advanced Studies in Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics.
A short description of the program and two student testimonials are presented in the following video:
Student Learning Outcomes for the Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology Program
Students must fulfill the General Education Requirements of the University and college. Among the courses they must include in these requirements are
In addition, students complete the following major core requirements:
Students are required to take 18 credits of electives in the various sciences
related to their interests in the environment, animals, microbiology, plants,
the health sciences, crop protection, or aquaculture. The following are the
approved list of electives: Molecular biology (BIOL 407), Cellular biology (BIOL
408), Biology of Microbes (MICR 351/351L), Environmental Biochemistry (MBBE
412), Bioremediation Principles and Practices (BE 440), Plant Physiology (BOT
470/470L), Immunology (MICR 461), Introduction to Biological Engineering (BE
150), Sensors and Instrumentation for Biological Systems (BE 420), Environmental
Biotechnology (BE 431), Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM 273/273L), Transport
Phenomena (BE 373), Biomass Conversion to Biofuels and Bioenergy (BE 410),
Bacterial Genetics (MICR 475), Microbes in the Environment (MICR 485/485L),
Plant Breeding (TPSS 453), Tissue Culture and Transformation (TPS 440), Plant
Pathogens and Disease (PEPS 405), Botany (102/102L), General Entomology (PEPS
363), Foundations of Pest Management (PEPS 421), Biocontrol of Invasive Species
(PEPS 422), Vertebrate Zoology (ZOOL 320/320L), and Biochemistry Lab (MBBE
402L).
For up-to-date MBB program sheets and templates to plan the undergraduate study,
please go to: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/#ctahr
YEAR 1 |
|||
FALL |
Cr |
SPRING |
Cr |
Chemistry-I CHEM 161/161L |
4 |
Chemistry-II CHEM 162/162L |
4 |
Biology-I BIOL 171/171L |
4 |
Biology-II BIOL 172/172L |
4 |
Written Communication |
3 |
Global & Multicultural 2 |
3 |
Global & Multicultural 1 |
3 |
Calculus MATH 215 or 241 |
4 |
sum |
14 |
|
15 |
|
|||
FALL |
Cr |
SPRING |
Cr |
Organic CHEM 272/272L |
5 |
Arts/Humanities 2 |
3 |
Arts/Humanities 1 |
3 |
Cell & Molecular BIOL 275/275L |
4 |
Physics PHYS 100/100L or 151/151L, and 152/152 |
4 |
Statistics NREM 310 |
3 |
MBB Elective |
3 |
Agric Economics NREM 220 or ECON 130 |
3 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
sum |
15 |
sum |
16 |
|
|||
FALL |
Cr |
SPRING |
Cr |
Biotechnology: Science & Ethics MBBE 304 |
3 |
Molecular Biotechnology MBBE 401 |
3 |
Genetics ANSC 446 or BIOL 375 or PEPS 371 |
3 |
Bioinformatics MBBE 483 |
3 |
Electives |
6 |
MBB Electives |
6 |
MBB Elective |
3 |
Hawaiian/Asian/Pacific Issues |
3 |
sum |
15 |
sum |
15 |
|
|||
FALL |
Cr |
SPRING |
Cr |
Directed Research MBBE 499 |
3 |
Directed Research MBBE 499 |
3 |
Biochemistry MBBE 402 |
4 |
Soc Sci 1 |
3 |
MBB Electives |
6 |
MBB Elective |
3 |
Elective |
2 |
Electives |
6 |
sum |
15 |
sum |
15 |
|
|
TOTAL |
120 |