Biotech Innovation and Enterprise, B.S.
About this major
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are large and growing industries in the Philadelphia region and throughout the country. Companies developing, manufacturing, and marketing cutting-edge life science technology desire employees with knowledge and skill in both business and science, and who can work effectively in interdisciplinary teams to develop, manufacture and deliver their complex, life-saving products. These businesses need team members fluent in both science and business to oversee supply chains, manage finances and market their products. This major trains students in the foundational skills in biotechnology and business to prepare them for careers that require both, such as product development management and marketing, regulatory compliance, quality control, and clinical research coordination. This program combines strengths of the La Salle School of Business and Department of Natural Sciences within the School of Arts & Sciences to prepare students for interdisciplinary careers in the biotech sector.
This major is a great complement to minors such as the Translational Science and Medical Device Sales minors, in addition to other majors in the Natural Sciences department and Business School.
Why choose this major?
This major will prepare students for careers at the intersection of business and the life sciences. This major is specifically designed for students interested in working in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or health industries. If you are thinking of a career that integrates both science and business, this is an excellent opportunity!
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Required for Graduation
- Courses -- Total 20
- 5 Biology
- 6 Business
- 1 Chemistry
- 1 Economics
- 1 Environmental Science
- 1 Math
- 1 Capstone
- 4 Concentration electives
- Credits
- 120+ overall (Students must complete at least 120 credits)
- 69-73 in major
- GPA
- 2.0 overall
- 2.0 in major courses
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the scientific method, design experiments, collect & analyze data to support bringing technology to market and inform business decision making.
- Communicate scientific and business information effectively to technical and non-technical audiences through written, visual, and oral formats.
- Design and assess innovation processes that integrate scientific discovery, business strategy, and ethical considerations to advance new products or technologies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Level One - Core Courses | ||
| Universal Required Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
| ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
| ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
| ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
| FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar 1 | 3 |
| ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
| REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
| Elective Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
| ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
| BIO 205 | Scientific Discovery: Phage Hunting I | 4 |
| ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
| CSC 155 | Introduction to Computer Applications for Business | 3 |
| ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
| ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
| ECN 150 | Introductory Macroeconomics: The U.S. in the Global Economy I | 3 |
| ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Universal Required Modules | ||
| Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 2 | ||
| ILO 7.1a | ||
| Health Literacy Module | ||
| ILO 7.1b | ||
| Financial Literacy Module | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Level Two | ||
| Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
| ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Biological Research | ||
| Business Strategy | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
| BUS 203 | Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | 3 |
| Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
| BUS 303 | Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| All Other Required Courses | ||
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 102 | Accounting for Financial and Managerial Decision-Making | 3 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| BUS 208 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 2-3 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ENV 153 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENL 153 | Laboratory | 1 |
| Choose a 4-course concentration: | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Science to Market | 12 | |
| Personal Selling | ||
| Sales Management | ||
| Business to Business Marketing | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Innovation Launch | 12 | |
| Product Dev & Validation | ||
| Life Science Innovation | ||
| Principles of Entrepreneurship | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Environmental Biotechnology | 12 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Natural Resource Management (Soon to be ENV 421) | ||
| Management Perspectives on Globalization | ||
| Environmental Law And Policy | ||
| Total Credits | 116-117 | |
Progress Chart
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 205 | Scientific Discovery: Phage Hunting I | 4 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| CSC 155 | Introduction to Computer Applications for Business | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BUS 102 | Accounting for Financial and Managerial Decision-Making | 3 |
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 111 | Laboratory | 0 |
| ENV 153 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENL 153 | Laboratory | 1 |
| BUS 203 | Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIL 210 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ECN 150 | Introductory Macroeconomics: The U.S. in the Global Economy I | 3 |
| Concentration Elective | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Microbiology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Credits | 10-11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BUS 208 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 3 |
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BUS 303 | Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Concentration Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| Concentration Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 6-8 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Concentration Elective Course | 3-4 | |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIO 480 |
Biological Research or Capstone or Business Strategy |
3 |
| Credits | 9-10 | |
| Total Credits | 69-73 | |
Course Descriptions
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BIO 205 | Scientific Discovery: Phage Hunting I | 4 |
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIL 210 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BUS 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS 102 | Accounting for Financial and Managerial Decision-Making | 3 |
| BUS 203 | Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | 3 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| BUS 208 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 2-3 |
| BUS 303 | Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 111 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CSC 155 | Introduction to Computer Applications for Business | 3 |
| ENV 153 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| ENL 153 | Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| Upper Level Life Science Options | ||
| BIO 303 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIL 303 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 305 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| BIL 305 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 310 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIL 310 | Laboratory | 0 |
| Capstone Courses | ||
| BUS 400 | Business Strategy | 3 |
| BIO 480 | Biological Research | 3 |
| ENV 450 | Capstone | 3 |
| Innovative Launch Concentration | ||
| ENT 201 | Principles of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| BIO 241 | Product Dev & Validation | 3 |
| BIO 330 | Life Science Innovation | 4 |
| MGT 375 | Project Management | 3 |
| Science to Market Concentration | ||
| MKT 301 | Personal Selling | 3 |
| MKT 303 | Sales Management | 3 |
| MKT 304 | Business to Business Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 374 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Environmental Biotech Concentration | ||
| ENV 310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| ISBT 421 | Natural Resource Management (Soon to be ENV 421) | 3 |
| POL 316 | Environmental Law And Policy | 3 |
| MGT 309 | Management Perspectives on Globalization | 3 |