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Biotechnology, Associate Degree
Biotechnology is the union of fundamental biology, engineering, and technology that
results in the development of products that have economic benefit and the potential
to improve society and the environment. The life sciences/biotechnology sector has
remained resilient after emerging from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the
Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity during that time
and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected that
16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector by 2025. The acceleration
of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with the need for highly skilled technicians,
emphasizes the necessity to prepare students to become the next generation of highly
skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The stackable Biotechnology Certificate and
AS Degree Program focusing on cell science and immunological testing will align academic
offerings with industry needs and students will be trained in a curriculum that focuses
on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills, and industry-required soft
skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology concepts and
their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological testing industries.
Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad
scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the
importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also
be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that include
quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able
to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques for maintaining
and cryopreserving eukaryotic cells as well as perform advanced cellular and immunological
techniques to assess and characterize cells and biomolecules. Students will articulate
the major advancements and challenges impacting the nanobiotechnology field; describe
nanoscience applications in molecular, medical, and environmental contexts; and apply
foundational knowledge of chemistry to understand nanomaterial interactions and their
impact on the environment. Through these cumulative laboratory experiences, students
will be able to apply the scientific method to design controlled experiments and perform
data analysis and graphing skills to generate quality figures. Also, students will
demonstrate their technical knowledge of the different types of documents and records
used in a regulatory environment and communicate novel scientific findings through
written and oral communication. Finally, students will become aware of equipment and
laboratory space modifications that will promote inclusivity and accommodations for
scientists living with disabilities.
Area of Emphasis: (49 units)
Required Courses: (49 units)
BIOL 30,Fundanmentals of Biotechnology 1(5)
BIOL 31,Fundamentals of BIotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins(5)
BIOL 32,Cell Culture Methods & Techniques(4)
BIOL 33,Immunoassay Methods(4)
BIOL 34,Science Communication for Regulated Environments(3)
BIOL 35,Nanobiotechnology(3)
BIOL 36,Quality Control and Assurance(3)
BIOL 90B,Life Science Internship(2)
CHEM 11,General Chemistry I(5)
ENGL C1000,Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 1)(3)
ENGL C1001,Critical Thinking and Writing (formerly ENGL 2)(3)
MCRBIO 1,Fundamentals of Microbiology(5)
STAT C1000,Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 54)(4)
Biotechnology/Life Sciences Laboratory Assistant, Certificate of Achievement
The life sciences/biotechnology sector has remained resilient during the COVID-19
pandemic, with the Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity
in 202 and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected
that 16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector within the
next three years. The acceleration of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with
the need for highly skilled technicians, emphasizes the necessity to prepare students
to become the next generation of highly skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The
stackable Biotechnology Certificate program focusing on cell science and immunological
testing will align academic offerings with industry needs and students will be trained
in a curriculum that focuses on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills,
and industry-required soft skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology
concepts and their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological
testing industries.
Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad
scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the
importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also
be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that introduce
quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able
to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques. Through these
cumulative laboratory experiences, students will be able to apply the scientific method
to design controlled experiments and perform data analysis and graphing skills to
generate quality figures. Students will also demonstrate their technical knowledge
of the different types of documents and records used in a regulatory environment and
communicate novel scientific findings through written and oral communication. Finally,
students will become more aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that
will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.
Area of Emphasis: (24 units)
Required Courses: (24 units)
BIOL 30,Fundanmentals of Biotechnology I(5)
BIOL 31,Fundamentals of BIotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins(5)
BIOL 34,Science Communication for Regulated Environments(3)
BIOL 90B,Life Science Internship(2)
CHEM 10,Introductory General Chemistry(5)
STAT C1000,Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 54)(4)
Biotechnology and Cell Science Laboratory Technician, Certificate of Achievement
The life sciences/biotechnology sector has remained resilient during the COVID-19
pandemic, with the Los Angeles region generating $60.8 billion in economic activity
in 202 and hosting more than 1,000 life science innovation companies. It is projected
that 16,000 technical jobs will be added to this rapidly growing sector within the
next three years. The acceleration of the widening supply-and-demand gap, along with
the need for highly skilled technicians, emphasizes the necessity to prepare students
to become the next generation of highly skilled workers in this dynamic sector. The
stackable Biotechnology Certificate program focusing on cell science and immunological
testing will align academic offerings with industry needs and students will be trained
in a curriculum that focuses on essential knowledge, state-of-the-art technical skills,
and industry-required soft skills. Students will also receive an introduction to nanobiotechnology
concepts and their applications in the biomedical, cell therapy, and immunological
testing industries.
Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate knowledge of the broad
scope of the biotechnology industry as well as the structure of a company and the
importance of project management, workflow, and ethical practices. Students will also
be able to describe and perform foundational molecular biology techniques that introduce
quantifying, manipulating, and purifying biological molecules. Students will be able
to demonstrate and articulate the importance of aseptic techniques. Through these
cumulative laboratory experiences, students will be able to apply the scientific method
to design controlled experiments and perform data analysis and graphing skills to
generate quality figures. Students will also demonstrate their technical knowledge
of the different types of documents and records used in a regulatory environment and
communicate novel scientific findings through written and oral communication. Finally,
students will become more aware of equipment and laboratory space modifications that
will promote inclusivity and accommodations for scientists living with disabilities.
Area of Emphasis: (40 units)
Required Courses: (40 units)
BIOL 30,Fundamentals of Biotechnology 1(5)
BIOL 31,Fundamentals of Biotechnology 2: From Genes to Proteins(5)
BIOL 32,Cell Culture Methods and Techniques(4)
BIOL 33,Immunoassay Methods(4)
BIOL 34,Science Communication for Regulated Environments(3)
BIOL 35,Nanobiotechnology(3)
BIOL 90B,Life Science Internship(2)
CHEM 10,Introductory General Chemistry(5)
STAT C1000,Introduction to Statistics (formerly MATH 54)(4)
MCRBIO 1,Fundamentals of Microbiology(5)
