The biotechnology program is designed to serve those students interested in pursuing a career in research science or higher academic degrees. Majors will be well-equipped to compete for employment in major pharmaceutical or industrial laboratories, governmental laboratories, or not-for-profit research institutions and will be competitive for academic placement in graduate degree programs.

The curriculum is interdisciplinary, drawing from faculty expertise in four(?) departments and providing the students with the breadth of relevant course offerings. There are (?) core faculty who teach the majority of the courses, advise students, and actively participate in curriculum development. They are enthused about the program and its excellent students and have worked selflessly in offering the program. Additional faculty serve as mentors for undergraduate research students and teach courses offered by other curricula.

• Limited enrollments with an informal and individualized learning environment.
• A strong emphasis on hands-on laboratory sessions.
• An excellent theoretical and practical background in biotechnological techniques and applications.
• Caring instructors who take an interest in you and your progress.

Why major in biotechnology?
      Persons with graduate level training in the biosciences hold a variety of positions as researchers, bioprocess engineers, managers, and teachers. Using the principles of biotechnology, researchers conduct basic research to develop new processes and products that have application to medical or pharmaceutical areas or commercial applications in the agriculture, food, and chemical industries. Bioprocess engineers design and manage production processes to aid in production recovery, purification, and quality control. They may also isolate, screen, and select the microbes, the enzymes, and the environment best suited for each production process. Bioscientists with an aptitude for or training in management often assume supervisory and administrative positions in the biotechnology industry.
 
Biotechnology technicians perform experiments and assays, manufacture products, or assist with research using a variety of technical skills. Specific job functions may include responsibility for testing procedures, product manufacturing, material processing, monitoring and record keeping, equipment maintenance, inventory control, inspection techniques and use of standards for quality assurance, collection and evaluation of data, and assisting with research. Technicians also observe and document safe practices, communicate and document information, and assist in complying with government regulations.

What type of person goes into biotechnology?
      A person who is open to new possibilities, who can pay extreme attention to detail, and who enjoys meaningful and independently directed work would be successful.

Dr. David Shintani, Associate Professor, Program Director
Phone: (775) 784-5139
e-mail: shintani@unr.edu
Office: 308 Fleischmann Ag Bldg, UNR Campus
 
1664 North Virginia Street
Mail Stop 200
Reno, Nevada 89557-0014

 

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