Mission Statement
The mission of the biotechnology program is to produce highly skilled graduates for employment in industrial and academic organizations that address the 21st century global challenges in health, energy, food production, and the environment.
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Work Environment
Biotechnology technicians work under a wide variety of conditions. Most work indoors, usually in laboratories, and have regular hours. Some occasionally work irregular hours to monitor experiments that cannot be completed during regular working hours. Production technicians often work in 8-hour shifts around the clock. Others perform much of their work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations. Advances in automation and information technology require technicians to operate more sophisticated laboratory equipment. Biotechnology technicians make extensive use of computers, electronic measuring equipment, and traditional experimental apparatus.
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Nature of the Work
Biotechnology technicians use the principles and theories of science and mathematics to assist in research and development and in the invention and improvement of products and processes. Technicians set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments, monitor experiments, make observations, calculate and record results, and often develop conclusions. They must keep detailed logs of all of their work. Those who perform production work monitor manufacturing processes and may ensure quality by testing products for proper proportions of ingredients, for purity, or for strength and durability.
As laboratory instrumentation and procedures have become more complex, the role of biotechnology technicians in research and development has expanded. In addition to performing routine tasks, many technicians, under the direction of scientists, now develop and adapt laboratory procedures to achieve the best results, interpret data, and devise solutions to problems. Technicians must develop expert knowledge of laboratory equipment so that they can adjust settings when necessary and recognize when equipment is malfunctioning.
Agricultural and food science technicians work with related scientists to conduct research, development, and testing on food and other agricultural products. Agricultural technicians are involved in food, fiber, and animal research, production, and processing. Some conduct tests and experiments to improve the yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease, insects, or other hazards.
Biological technicians work with biologists studying living organisms. Many assist scientists who conduct medical research-helping to find a cure for cancer or AIDS, for example. Those who work in pharmaceutical companies help develop and manufacture medicines. Those working in the field of microbiology generally work as laboratory assistants, studying living organisms and infectious agents. Biological technicians also analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Environmental science and protection technicians perform laboratory and field tests to monitor environmental resources and determine the contaminants and sources of pollution in the environment. They may collect samples for testing or be involved in abating and controlling sources of environmental pollution. Some are responsible for waste management operations, control and management of hazardous materials inventory, or general activities involving regulatory compliance.
Forensic science technicians investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Often, they specialize in areas such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, performing tests on weapons or on substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids to determine their significance to the investigation. Proper collection and storage methods are important to protect the evidence. Forensic science technicians also prepare reports to document their findings and the laboratory techniques used, and they may provide information and expert opinions to investigators.
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Employment
Biotechnology technicians held about 270,800 jobs throughout the nation in 2008. About 30 percent of the technicians worked in professional, scientific, or technical services firms; most other technicians worked in educational services, government, or pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.
Job opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of applied science technology programs who are well trained on equipment used in laboratories or production facilities. Overall employment of biotechnology technicians is expected to grow by 12 percent nationally during the 2008-2018 decade. The continued growth of scientific and medical research-particularly research related to biotechnology-will be the primary driver of employment growth, but the development and production of technical products should also stimulate demand for science technicians in many industries.
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Earnings
Median hourly wages nationally of science technicians in May 2008 were as follows:
- Forensic science technicians-$23.97
- Environmental science and protection technicians-$18.34
- Biological technicians-$18.46
- Agricultural and food science technicians-$16.34
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the associate of applied science degree program in Biotechnology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies
- Maintain, clean, and sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment
- Set up and conduct experiments, tests, and analyses using techniques such as pipetting, cell culture, enzymatic reactions, polymerase chain reactions, protein chromatography, etc.
- Record results in laboratory notebooks
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Biological Sciences Laboratory Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies
- Maintain, clean, and sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment
- Set up and conduct experiments, tests, and analyses using techniques such as pipetting, cell culture, enzymatic reactions, polymerase chain reactions, and protein chromatography
- Record results in laboratory notebooks
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies
- Maintain, clean, and sterilize laboratory instruments and equipment
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analysis using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and physical and chemical separation techniques
- Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analysis of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Regulatory Compliance Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Describe the process for formatting, assembling, and submitting the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application, New Drug Application (NDA), Biologics License Application (BLA), and other relevant documents to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- State Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements and list the documentation necessary to be in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Demonstrate awareness of practical applications of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
- Explain internal and external audits
- Describe the fundamentals of validation
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
The objective of the Biotechnology program is to instruct students in the development of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to function in a research, manufacturing, or diagnostic laboratory setting. The following list of essential functions provides students with an overview of the skills required to perform laboratory technician duties:
- Engage in effective verbal and written communications with supervisor and coworkers
- Possess adequate hand-eye coordination
- Receive, comprehend, write, and interpret verbal and written instructions
- Perform fine motor skills such as finger movements and manipulation of small objects
- Demonstrate problem solving skills to meet challenges in the laboratory settings
- Use computers to control laboratory equipment and log data
- Perform mathematical calculations that relate to the laboratory environment
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Textbooks (Approximately $3,500 for the associate degree program, $1,200 for the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Technician program, $1,700 for the Biological Sciences Laboratory Technician program, $2,000 for the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Technician, and $1,300 for the Regulatory Compliance Technician program)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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