“基因工程”是生物技术专业的专业主干课程，其相关的理论与技术是现代生物技术的核心。基因工程与细胞工程、发酵工程、酶（蛋白质）工程并称为生物技术的四大支柱。正是在基因工程的基础上诞生了现代生物技术，也使得生物技术作为一个新的本科专业得以发展壮大。基因工程课程内容包括基因工程概论、基因操作的基本技术、DNA操作的工具酶、分子克隆载体、DNA克隆策略、植物基因工程、动物转基因及转基因生物的安全管理等，是专业学习中需要重点学习和掌握的核心课程。课程在大三第二学期（第六学期）开设，按照教育部的要求，作为生物技术专业双语课程之一，执行双语教学。要求学生先修生物学基础课如植物学、动物学、微生物学和遗传学、细胞生物学、生物与分子生物学等课程，掌握了生物学特别是遗传学、分子生物学等相关的知识并打下了良好的知识基础。
      基因工程课程特色是理论与实验紧密结合，整个课程教学按照理论课堂教学32学时、实验24学时和综合实验1周进行设计，理论课、实验课和综合实验课单独设置，学分共计4.5学分。其中本课程为理论课2学分。

      Gene Engineering is a course for junior grade undergraduates major in biotechnology. To meet the regulations of Minister of Education that the course is designed in a bilingual for undergraduates specialty in BT. Gene Engineering is a core course for students whose specialty is biotechnology because it is the foundation of modern biotechnology.  Actually the technology of gene engineering is the principle technique for life science researches. The class hour is 32 hrs cover the history and the development of gene engineering, basic techniques of gene manipulations, cutting and joining of DNA, vectors, strategies for DNA recombination, plant transformation, animal transformation and regulations on genetic recombinants. The course enable students learn about the principles and master the technology in DNA manipulation and genetic transformation. There is the designed reciprocal course of “practicum experiment of gene engineering” (24 hrs) and a “comprehensive experiment” (1.5 week) for the course study as well.