January 18, 2005

New minor at Purdue bridges life sciences with technology applications

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's College of Technology has unveiled an interdisciplinary minor in biotechnology that responds to the needs of industry and Indiana's economic development goals.

The minor, entering its second semester, is overseen by the Department of Industrial Technology and combines courses in technology, biology, pharmacy and agriculture to prepare students to combine knowledge in the life sciences with technology studies.

"Indiana's health care and biotechnology industries are keys to the state's economic future," said College of Technology Dean Dennis R. Depew. "The biotechnology minor is an important step in helping to provide graduates an understanding of both the life sciences and technology and the ways in which they interact in business. More graduates qualified in these areas can only make the state's economy stronger."

Biotechnology refers to the use of plants or animals and their cells and tissue to create or modify products for human consumption. This includes a wide range of processes, many of which have developed during recent technological advancements. The wide range of biotechnology products and processes include tissue engineering and prosthetics, food processing, pollution control, medicines and vaccines.

"The field touches virtually every aspect of our lives," said Kari L. Clase, an assistant professor of industrial technology who directs the program. "As the field continues to grow, it becomes more and more important to educate people who will be qualified to usher in the next generation of advances."

The minor combines classes in biology, genetics, manufacturing, quality control, bioinformatics and molecular biology. It is open to students in every school and college, but Clase said it designed for students with a solid background in technology or the life sciences.

Although other colleges and universities in Indiana offer degrees or specializations in biotechnology, Clase said one of the Purdue program's strengths is its interdisciplinary nature and the involvement of students and faculty from throughout the university.

"Biotechnology exemplifies the trend toward interdisciplinary work in industry," Clase said. "It is no longer enough for our graduates to simply be experts in one area of study, like biology or manufacturing technology. To succeed in changing industries, they need to be able to understand the way the different facets of industry work together."

Clase said that she is in the process of working with departments and colleges throughout the university to evaluate the possibility of offering a future bachelor's degree in the field.

Biotechnology and health care, particularly in the manufacturing sector, are major components of Indiana's economy. According to Clase, there are more than more than 300,000 Indiana residents – about 10 percent of the state's work force – working in the health-care industry. Those workers earn, on average, 2.5 times the state average wage.

The field also is growing. From 1993 to 2002, there was a $14 billion increase in the private investments in biotechnology companies, and the number of biotech products produced in the United States has grown almost tenfold.

"The categories of jobs that are relevant to the biotechnology industry include research and development, quality control, regulatory affairs, information systems, marketing, and sales," Clase said. "These jobs require college graduates prepared in a number of academic fields in addition to possessing essential biology-related knowledge. The combination of courses in the minor will give graduates the knowledge base they need for these careers, which are vital to Indiana's economic growth."

Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu

Sources: Dennis R. Depew, (765) 494-2552, ddepew@purdue.edu

Kari L. Clase, (765) 4649, klclase@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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