Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences [Biotechnology Undergraduate Program]

Illustrative Course Sequence for SEBS Students Majoring in Biotechnology (126)

Please review the core curriculum requirements. The following course sequence are for students who matriculated after Fall 2009. For students who elect to follow graduation requirements that were in place when they matriculated between Fall 2008 and Fall 2009, please view the course sequence here.

Additionally, please read the introduction to the course sequence models. These models are provided as an example of how to meet all the graduation requirements of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the Biotechnology Curriculum and the specific options within four years. This is only an illustrative tool to show you how to meet the requirements and does not substitute for faculty advising. You must consult with your faculty advisor before registration for classes.

Importance Notice for All Biotechnology Majors:

Please be aware of grade requirements as prerequisites for core biotechnology courses:

  • Molecular Genetics (11:126:481; offered fall semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Genetics 01:447:380 (offered in fall, spring and summer semesters)
  • Molecular Genetics Laboratory (11:126:482; offered spring semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Molecular Genetics (11:126:481); additional prerequisite: General Microbiology 11:680:390 (offered in fall, spring, and summer)
  • Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (11:126:427; offered fall semester only). Prerequisite: grade of C or better in Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetics Laboratory

    • Based on past experience, students doing poorly in prerequisite courses are not capable of comprehending course material. Therefore, any student who does not meet the appropriate grade requirement(s) will be deregistered from the relevant course prior to the start of each semester.

    Biotechnology Options

    Animal Biotechnology Option
    Bioinformatics Option
    Bioscience Policy and Management Option
    General Biotechnology Option
    Microbial Biotechnology Option
    Plant Biotechnology Option

    Animal Biotechnology Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)*
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15

    *Can be delayed to subsequent year without any serious consequences
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
    2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 47.5
    1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
    4. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17
    Cumulative Total Credits: 64.5
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
    3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    4. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3)*
    5. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    Total Semester Credits: 17 - 19
    Cumulative Total Credits: 81.5 - 83.5

    *See Animal Biotechnology Option Electives.
    1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    3. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3)*
    4. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)**
    5. 01:350:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Total Credits: 99.5 - 101.5

    *See Animal Biotechnology Option Electives.

    **See Animal Biotechnology Option Required Courses. In this course sequence model, one of the three required courses is scheduled to be taken in the spring of the third year; a second in the fall of the fourth year; and the third in the spring of the fourth year.
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1)
    2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    3. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    4. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)***
    5. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)**
    Total Semester Credits: 14
    Cumulative Total Credits: 114 - 115.5

    **See Animal Biotechnology Option Required Courses. In this course sequence model, one of the three courses is scheduled to be taken in the spring of the third year; a second in the fall of the fourth year; and the third in the spring of the fourth year.

    ***An appropriate SPIN placement approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. Required Animal Biotechnology Option Course (3)**
    3. Animal Biotechnology Option Elective (3)* OR 11:126:498 Research in Biotechnology (3)***
    4. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    5. Free Elective Course (2)
    Total Semester Credits: 14
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    *See Animal Biotechnology Option Electives.

    **See Animal Biotechnology Option Required Courses. In this course sequence model, one of the three courses is scheduled to be taken in the spring of the third year; a second in the fall of the fourth year; and the third in the spring of the fourth year.

    ***An appropriate cooperative education placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

    Bioinformatics Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
    2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 47.5
    1. 01:198:112 Data Structures (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
    4. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
    5. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 65.5
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    2. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    3. 11:115:403 General Biochemistry (4)
    4. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 14 - 15.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 79.5 - 81
    1. 01:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    3. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    4. 01:960:379 Basic Probability and Statistics (3)
    5. 01:350:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 97.5 - 99
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1.5)
    2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    3. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)
    4. 11:126:485 Bioinformatics (3)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 113 - 114.5
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. Bioinformatics option elective (4)*
    3. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (6)
    4. Free elective course (2)
    Total Semester Credits: 14
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    *See Bioinformatics Option Electives Course.

    Bioscience Policy and Management Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. 11:373:121 Principles and Applications of Microeconomics (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    2. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
    3. 11:373:231 Introduction to Marketing (3)
    4. 11:373:241 Introduction to Management (3)
    5. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17
    Cumulative Total Credits: 49.5
    1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
    4. Bioscience Policy & Management Option Elective (3)*
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 16
    Cumulative Total Credits: 65.5

    *See Bioscience Policy & Management Option Electives Course.
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
    3. 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    4. Bioscience Policy & Management Option Elective (3)**
    5. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 14
    Cumulative Total Credits: 79.5

    *See Bioscience Policy & Management Option Electives Course.
    1. 01:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    3. Bioscience Policy & Management Option Elective (3)*
    4. 11:373:404 Bioscience Policy (3)
    5. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 94.5

    *See Bioscience Policy & Management Option Electives Course.
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1)
    2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    4. Experience-Based Education (3)
    5. 11:373:403 Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 109.5
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4) or equivalent
    3. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    4. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    5. Free elective (2.5)
    Total Semester Credits: 18.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    General Biotechnology Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)*
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15

    *Can be delayed to subsequent year without any serious consequences.
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
    2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 47.5
    1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
    4. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits:17
    Cumulative Total Credits: 64.5
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
    3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    4. Option elective course chosen in consultation with the student's advisor from a list of appropriate courses (3)*
    5. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    Total Semester Credits:16 - 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 80.5 - 82

    *See General Biotechnology Option Elective Courses.
    1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    3. Required General Biotechnology Option course (3)**
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    5. 01:350:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    6. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 98.5 - 100

    **See General Biotechnology Option Required Courses.
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    2. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1.5)
    3. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)*
    4. 11:776:452 Plant Tissue Culture (3)** OR Course Fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    5. Option elective course chosen in consultation with the student's advisor from a list of appropriate courses (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 12.5 - 13.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 113 - 115.5

    *An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

    **Students have a choice of taking Plant Tissue Culture (11:776:452) in the Fall semester OR of taking either Animal Microtechniques and Tissue Culture (11:067:430) or Plant Gene Transfer in the spring semester. If the student elects to take either of the spring semester courses, then the final course fulfilling areas III, IV or V should be taken in the fall.
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. Option elective course chosen in consultation with the student's advisor from a list of appropriate courses (3) OR 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)*
    3. 11:067:430 Animal Microtechniques and Tissue Culture (4) OR 11:126:406 Plant Gene Transfer (2.5)** OR Course Fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    4. Free Elective Course(s) (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 16 -17
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    *An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

    **Students have a choice of taking either the Animal Microtechniques and Tissue Culture course or the Plant Tissue Culture course in the spring, OR of taking Plant Gene Transfer (11:126:406) in the Fourth Year, Fall Semester. If the student elects to take the fall semester course, then the final course fulfilling areas III, IV or V should be taken in the spring.

    Microbial Biotechnology Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)*
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15

    *Can be delayed to subsequent year without any serious consequences
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:447:380 Genetics (4)
    2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)**
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 47.5

    **Physics can be delayed until Junior or Senior year, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.

    1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
    4. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 65.5
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    2. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
    3. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    4. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    Total Semester Credits: 13 - 14.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 78.5 - 80
    1. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    2. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    3. 01:350:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    4. Option Elective Course (3)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 93.5 - 95
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1.5)
    2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    3. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    4. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)*
    5. 11:126:405 Microbial Technology
    6. Option Elective Course (3)
    7. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 113 - 114.5

    *An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. Option Elective Course (3) OR 11:126:498 Research in Biotechnology (3)*
    3. Courses fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    4. Free Elective Course (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 16
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    *An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

    Plant Biotechnology Option
    Fall Term Spring Term
    F
    I
    R
    S
    T

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
    2. 01:119:101 General Biology (4)
    3. 01:160:161 General Chemistry (4)
    4. 01:640:1xx Calculus I (4)*
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 15

    *Can be delayed to subsequent year without any serious consequences.
    1. 01:119:102 General Biology (4)
    2. 01:160:162 General Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:171 Introduction to Experimentation (1)
    4. 01:640:136 Calculus II (4) OR 01:960:401 Basic Stats for Research (3)
    5. 11:126:110 Concepts and Issues in Biotechnology (1.5)
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or IV (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 32.5
    S
    E
    C
    O
    N
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 01:750:193 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    2. 01:160:307 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 11:776:305 Plant Genetics (4)
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 15
    Cumulative Total Credits: 47.5

    ***Physics can be delayed until Junior or Senior year, unless the student plans to apply for medical school admission.
    1. 01:750:194 Physics for the Sciences (4)
    2. 01:160:308 Organic Chemistry (4)
    3. 01:160:311 Organic Chemistry Lab (2)
    4. 11:776:242 Plant Science (3)
    5. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits:16
    Cumulative Total Credits: 63.5
    T
    H
    I
    R
    D

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:680:390 General Microbiology (4)
    2. 01:126:481 Molecular Genetics (3)
    3. 11:115:403 Biochemistry (4)
    4. 11:115:413 Experimental Biochemistry (3) OR 11:115:313 Introductory Biochemistry Lab (1)
    5. Courses fulfilling Area III, IV, or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 14 - 15.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 77.5 - 79
    1. 01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    2. 11:126:482 Molecular Genetics Lab (3)
    3. 11:115:404 Biochemistry (3)
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV, or V (6)
    5. Option elective (3)**
    Total Semester Credits: 18
    Cumulative Total Credits: 95.5 - 97

    **See Plant Biotechnology Option Elective Courses.
    F
    O
    U
    R
    T
    H

    Y
    E
    A
    R
    1. 11:126:401 Biotechnology Seminar (1)
    2. 11:126:427 Methods and Applications in Molecular Biology (4)
    3. Option elective (3)**
    4. 11:126:483 Nucleotide Sequence Analysis (3)
    5. 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)*
    6. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (3)
    Total Semester Credits: 17.5
    Cumulative Total Credits: 113 - 114.5

    *An appropriate SPIN placement, approved by the Undergraduate Program Director, or a George H. Cook Scholars project can substitute for Research in Biotechnology.

    **See Plant Biotechnology Option Elective Courses.
    1. 11:015:400 Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)
    2. Option elective (3)* OR 11:126:497 Research in Biotechnology (3)
    3. 11:126:406 Plant Gene Transfer (2.5)
    4. Course fulfilling Areas III, IV or V (6)**
    5. Free Elective Course (4)
    Total Semester Credits: 17
    Cumulative Total Credits: 128

    *See Plant Biotechnology Option Elective Courses.
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