We are pleased to welcome you to the new major in Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship!  I am Prof. Tzagarakis-Foster. The new BS in Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship major sits at the exciting intersection of cutting-edge science and business innovation. You'll gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques while developing the entrepreneurial mindset needed to transform scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. In this program, you'll learn to harness biological systems to address global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Whether you dream of launching a startup that revolutionizes medicine, developing sustainable biofuels, or bringing life-changing therapies to market, this major will equip you with the multidisciplinary skills to thrive at the forefront of biotechnology innovation. With a unique blend of scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial expertise, you'll be ready to create new ventures, drive breakthroughs, and make a real difference in the world. Get ready to explore endless opportunities in a rapidly growing field!  We are excited to have you joining us.  

This module is for Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship majors and other new students who are planning to become Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship majors. In this video, I will walk you through the process of choosing courses for the upcoming semester.

Each student typically registers for 16-18 credits per semester. That is four, 4 credit courses and 1 or 2 credits of additional support courses. All of the courses for the major follow a specific sequence for the first two and a half years, so please be sure to follow these guidelines and avoid making substitutions, other than those suggested, without consulting your academic advisor.

In your first year, you will take Biology 105: Molecules of Life and Biology 106: Diversity of Life. You can take either class first; both classes are offered in the spring and in the fall. 
Biology 105: Molecules of Life focuses on molecular and cellular biology, with discussion of evolutionary biology as well. 
Biology 106: Diversity of Life focuses on organismal diversity and plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Both of these courses have a laboratory component; you should register for both the lecture and lab simultaneously. 

For example, if you are registering for Biology 106, you should select BIOL106 and BIOL106L to add this course to your schedule. For both of these courses, you need to earn at least a C grade for credit towards the Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship major. 

Along with having a firm foundation of biology, you also need to develop your understanding of chemistry. Each student will complete General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II. These do need to be taken in sequence; you will take General Chemistry I, course number Chemistry 111, and the lab, Chemistry 112, first. Students taking CHEM 111 & 112 will also need to co-enroll in a 1-unit recitation section.ÊThis course is CHEM 186 - Quantitative Approaches to GeneralÊChemistry.  Please note, you must earn a minimum grade of C in General Chemistry I to advance to General Chemistry II.

We will also be adding a new course to the schedule soon for our Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship majors.  This course will be titled: ÒThe Business of Biotech: An Introduction to Building, Financing and Investing in Biotechnology CompaniesÓ. This will be a 1 unit course and will be offered in the second half of the fall semester.  We will follow up with all of the BS in Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship majors with details of how to register for this course soon.

You do not need to register for a math course at this time. Calculus is not required for the Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship major, and students are advised to complete the Biostatistics course in their second year.

As a student at a liberal arts university, you will develop knowledge and skills across many different fields. These are your Core classes and they are an important part of your USF education. For your remaining two classes, we suggest you consider the following options.

Many students take a rhetoric course in their first semester. The study of rhetoric is important in developing your communication skills and will teach you to tailor your message to different audiences and contexts. Not only is developing good writing and speaking skills important to your academic success here at USF, this versatility is very important in virtually every professional field.  Please remember to complete the Directed Self Placement for Rhetoric in your USF canvas account.

We also recommend Public Speaking which fulfills your core A1 requirement. Alternatively, you may take a class that fulfills a different Core requirement. Note that the Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship major covers the Core B1 and B2 requirements, so you should pick a class that covers a different area, for example, History, Literature, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Ethics, or Visual and Performing Arts. You can search for Core classes in the course catalog by selecting a core under attribute type. It is a great idea to balance your science courses with a course that interests you outside of Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship.

If you have studied a foreign language previously, you should also take a foreign language placement test to determine your level of competency. As a science major you need to take two semesters of a foreign language. If you are placed into the third semester of a language, you have completed your foreign language requirement. In this instance, the department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures will need to verify your language proficiency at llc@usfca.edu.

Once you have selected your classes, your schedule should resemble something like this.
First Year students:
1) BIOL 105 & 105L Molecules of Life (4 credits)
      OR
      BIOL 106/106L Diversity of Life (4 credits)
2) CHEM 111/112 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
3) CHEM 186 Quantitative Approaches to GeneralÊChemistryÊ(1 credit)
4) Core course (4 credits)
5) Core/Language course (4 credits)
6) Special Topics: Business of Biotech Course (1 credit)

Transfer students:
1) BIOL 105 & 105L Molecules of Life (4 credits)
   OR
   BIOL 106/106L Diversity of Life (4 credits)
2) CHEM 1xx/2xx (depending on transfer credit) (4 credits)
3) Core course (4 credits)
4) Core course (4 credits)
5) Special Topics: Business of Biotech Course (1 credit)


If you are a transfer student, you may have completed some of these courses. It is important for you to review your degree evaluation and meet with your academic advisor to determine which courses you need to complete. 

Spend some time navigating the Schedule of Classes to familiarize yourself with the layout of the website. Look for courses that you would like to register for, including specific sections. Spend some time doing this to find a schedule that works for you.

If you have any questions, please contact me: 
ctzagarakis@usfca.edu 
415.422.6820

We look forward to meeting you during Orientation when we will review the major requirements and you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and students.
Welcome to USF and Go Dons!