BS Biology in Genetics and Biotechnology Track

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Iowa State University

Program Overview

Iowa State University’s BS Biology in Genetics and Biotechnology Track is a 120-credit, four-year on-campus degree that builds a broad foundation in biological sciences while allowing students to develop a genetics and biotechnology-focused pathway through advanced coursework. The program is well suited to students interested in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, research, health sciences, or related biological careers, with opportunities to select advanced courses in areas such as bioinformatics, genomics and molecular genetics.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BIOL 1100 & 1110 Biology Major Orientation, BIOL 2110 & 2110L Principles of Biology I & Lab, and BIOL 2120 & 2120L Principles of Biology II & Lab, alongside general chemistry and college-level research. This year introduces students to biology as a discipline while building essential laboratory, chemistry and research skills.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into molecular and genetic concepts through BIOL 3140 Principles of Molecular Cell Biology, BIOL 3130 & 3130L Principles of Genetics & Lab, and BBMB 3160 Survey of Biochemistry. Students also begin advanced biology coursework, creating room to develop a more focused genetics and biotechnology profile.

Year 3: Students broaden their biological perspective through BIOL 3120 Ecology, BIOL 3150 Biological Evolution, and advanced biology coursework with a laboratory component. For a genetics and biotechnology focus, students can use the advanced-course requirement to explore areas such as Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The Genome Perspective in Biology, Human Genetics, or Molecular Genetics.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced biological study and allows students to tailor their degree through upper-level biology choices, electives and/or a minor. Genetics- and biotechnology-oriented students can deepen their preparation through courses such as GEN 4090 Molecular Genetics, GEN 4100 Analytical Genetics, BIOL 3490 The Genome Perspective in Biology, or BIOL 3220 Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, depending on prerequisites and availability.

Focus Areas: Genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, evolution, ecology, biological research.

Learning Outcomes: Understanding of biological systems and genetic principles; laboratory and research skills; ability to analyze biological and genomic information; critical thinking and scientific problem-solving; preparation for biotechnology, health, research and graduate-study pathways.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Program accreditation: Not stated on the official Iowa State University Biology program pages; therefore, no specific professional accreditation is claimed for the B.S. in Biology. Professional preparation: The curriculum provides foundational preparation for biotechnology, research, health-related professions and graduate or professional programs.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): QS 2026: Iowa State’s agriculture and forestry programs rank No. 7 globally among 475 institutions and No. 4 among U.S. institutions offering the same programs; Iowa State states that these programs have remained in the global top 4% for 13 consecutive years. This is an institutional/subject-area ranking rather than a ranking specifically for the B.S. Biology or Genetics track.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.S. in Biology – Genetics and Biotechnology Track at Iowa State University build practical skills through laboratory courses, undergraduate research and hands-on experiences in genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology. The track connects classroom learning with research opportunities across the university, giving students access to modern biological facilities, specialized equipment and faculty-led research in areas such as genetics, genomics, molecular biology and biotechnology. Students can also pursue internships and other experiential opportunities that help them apply biological concepts in professional settings:

Genetics & Biotechnology Coursework: Students develop laboratory skills through courses in genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology and related biological sciences, building experience with experimental approaches used in modern biology.
Undergraduate Research: Iowa State's Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology provides undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in faculty research, allowing them to work directly on research projects rather than limiting their experience to classroom laboratories.
Molecular Biology Research: Students can gain experience in research involving DNA, RNA, genes, genomes and gene expression, supporting preparation for biotechnology and genetics-related careers.
Biotechnology Facilities: The university's biological research environment includes specialized laboratories and instrumentation supporting molecular, cellular, genetic and genomic research.
Plant Transformation Facility: Iowa State's Plant Transformation Facility provides research infrastructure for plant biotechnology, including plant transformation and molecular biology applications, offering a relevant environment for students interested in biotechnology research.
DNA Sequencing & Genomics: University research facilities provide access to genomic and molecular analysis capabilities, supporting research involving DNA sequencing and other modern biological techniques.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities: Students can connect with faculty research laboratories through Iowa State's undergraduate research programs and gain experience in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis and scientific communication.
Internships: Biology students can pursue internships and other career-related experiential learning opportunities to gain professional experience beyond the classroom.
Research Institutes: Students can benefit from Iowa State's broader research ecosystem, including the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and other life-science research programs that support interdisciplinary biotechnology research.
Scientific Resources: Students have access to Iowa State's University Library system and scientific information resources that support laboratory research, literature reviews and independent study.
Career Preparation: Experiential learning can help students develop transferable skills in laboratory research, scientific problem-solving, data interpretation and communication that are applicable to biotechnology, genetics, research and related biological careers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biology with the Genetics and Biotechnology track at Iowa State University prepares students for careers across biotechnology, healthcare, food, agriculture and biological research. Graduates can enter laboratory and biotechnology positions after the bachelor's degree or use the degree as preparation for graduate and professional programs in medicine, genetic counseling, biomedical research and related fields.

Career roles: Research Technician, Research Associate, Biotechnology Technologist, Genotyping Laboratory Technologist.
Career services: CALS Career Services and LAS Career Services support students with résumé and CV development, cover letters, job and internship searches, interview preparation, job-offer evaluation and employer opportunities; CyHire provides access to full-time and internship positions, career fairs and information sessions.
Research experience: Students can begin working in research laboratories as early as their freshman year, and Iowa State reports that 80% of Genetics graduates obtain research experience during their undergraduate studies.
Internships: The Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology offers paid summer research internships for Genetics majors, while students can also pursue regional and national internship opportunities through the program's experiential-learning support.
Industry connections: Iowa State identifies graduates working with biotechnology organizations including Corteva Agriscience, Neogen Genomics, Integrated DNA Technologies, NewLink Genetics, Calyxt and Orion Genomics, as well as in hospital and university laboratories.
Plant biotechnology pathway: The program specifically identifies opportunities in plant-breeding companies such as Corteva Agriscience, Bayer and Syngenta, with graduates moving into research roles in plant transformation, genotyping, greenhouse, field and data-analysis environments.
Employment statistics: The official Iowa State Genetics pages do not publish a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure; therefore, a specific percentage or salary should not be assumed.
Accreditation value: A specific professional accreditation for the B.S. Biology Genetics and Biotechnology track is not stated on the official Iowa State Genetics program pages; therefore, no additional accreditation benefit should be claimed.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates enter biotechnology, healthcare, food, academic, industry and government roles, while many continue into M.S. or Ph.D. programs or professional programs such as M.D., D.O., D.V.M., M.P.H. and O.D.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can progress to M.S. or Ph.D. programs in biological sciences, biomedical research, genetics and related fields. The degree also fulfills coursework requirements for many health-related professional programs, including M.D., D.O., D.V.M., M.P.H. and O.D., while the program specifically supports pathways into genetic counseling, biomedical research and plant-science research.