Biotechnology

Associate Degree Program

Biotechnology provides a career path for students with an interest in science and how things work. Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or biological systems to create or modify products or processes. Using yeast to make bread or beer is an application of biotechnology that dates back thousands of years. More modern examples include DNA fingerprinting, developing strains of pest-resistant crops, producing specialized medicines, and altering bacteria for industrial waste cleanup. In the biotechnology associate degree program, you will acquire a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that enables you to perform complex laboratory procedures and analyze data for research and testing purposes.

The curriculum includes four semesters of science, math, computer, and core courses.

Offered at the following campus(es): Stanton

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

• A biotechnician for a variety of laboratory settings in the medical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural fields

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

1. Apply knowledge of biology and chemistry to solve problems in biotechnology.
2. Integrate biological knowledge with the regulatory, ethical and business perspectives relevant to the biotechnology industry.
3. Apply quantitative and computational skills and tools to analyze problems in biology and chemistry.
4. Demonstrate good laboratory practices that are required by a person working as a biotechnology technician including laboratory safety and documentation.
5. Demonstrate laboratory skills relevant to biotechnology including recombinant DNA techniques, PCR, DNA sequence analysis, and current analytical chemistry techniques.
6. Work independently and collaboratively to create scientific oral presentations and written documents that are standard to the discipline.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation